September
19,
2007
By Bill Cooksey/The Lynn Journal
James Cowdell, executive director of the
Economic Development and Industrial Corporation, is no
stranger to the council chambers. During his years as a
city councilor, and then president of that council, he
stood behind the podium speaking on matters that affected
the city.
Last Tuesday, however, Cowdell was behind
a different podium - one located in front of the councilor
as he discussed the need to move forward with the Waterfront
Master Plan.
"It was nearly a year ago that this plan
started," he said, "and it's moved forward with the help
of some great people. Hal McGaughey was a leader on this
project. Sasaki Development was brought in by Councilor Ford,
and now you have a plan before you that is a plan that will
guide us for the next two to three decades."
The waterfront plan is Lynn's shining beacon
of hope to transform a dormant, underutilized, barren piece
of property along what could potentially be a gold mine in
terms of tax revenue. It will also help breathe life into
a city that, at times, seems lifeless.
When the project is completed, Lynn will
become a new city. "When people come into our city from the
General Edwards Bridge, they'll see the difference." Cowdell
said.
The project, estimated to cost around $1.9
billion, received the go-ahead from a unanimous City Council.
Sasaki Development last month presented its
plans for the waterfront. Everything was in play, from a
marina to a fish market, office buildings and storefronts,
updates to existing roadways, new trees and shrubs and housing.
Sasaki officials presented a number of options
to the council subcommittee and left a good impression. Councilor
Paul Crowley has been a major champion of the proposal, as
has Councilor Pete Capano and Councilor Loretta Cuffe-O'Donnell,
all of whom sat on the subcommittee that viewed Sasaki's
proposal, and then moved it on to the full council.
That proposal included each section of the
waterfront to be cordoned off into separate sections with
their own restrictions and possibilities.
Most of the structures would face height
restrictions, 20 stories or 240 feet, and minimum height
requirements, three stories or 30 feet high. Details on the
height of the buildings must still be worked out.
With approval now from the full council,
the city can begin jumping the many hurdles that lay in wait.
The land, located from Beacon Chevrolet to
South Harbor, needs a developer that can come in and make
dreams reality and begin the slow process of turning the
waterfront into 350,000 square feet of prime real estate.
A deal was recently in the pipeline for such
a thing. Forest City Enterprises, an Ohio-based company,
had its eyes on the land. However, a 90 day due diligence
period passed by with no agreement reached. Calls to Forest
City weren't returned.
Zoning issues must also be addressed, and
the power lines that are located along the Lynnway need to
be moved, which is a daunting task, but one that the city
is ready to tackle, head on.
In a recent study conducted by National Grid,
the issue of relocating the lines was addressed. The study
concluded that it was a possible to move the lines, given
some time and money.
City Council President Tim Phelan was excited
about the plan after it was brought to council. "This is
a blueprint for the next 20-30 years," he said. "Every single
city agency worked together, moving in the same direction." |
