August
15,
2007
By Bill Cooksey/The Lynn Journal
It's an ambitious plan with an enormous
cost, $1.4 billion, but one, that if finally realized could
catapult the city from the doldrums of the North Shore
to a shining metropolis, an epicenter of business, art
and culture.
With an eye to 2009, the city, last week,
welcomed Sasaki Associates to city hall. Sasaki has plans
for the waterfront that only begin to scratch the surface
of what is possible.
A bustling waterfront with shops, markets,
housing and hotels could be in the future for Lynn, along
with the estimated $20 million in tax revenue that such a
behemoth of a project would bring in yearly.
Sasaki presented a plan to committee members
that simplified the dreams of city officials. Create a waterfront
development on what is now 300 acres of emptiness. The plan
calls for each section of the waterfront to be cordoned off
into separate sections, each with their own restrictions
and possibilities.
Most of the structures would face height
restrictions, 20 stories or 240 feet, and minimum height
requirements, 3 stores or 30 feet. Lynn Hoffman, a consultant
with Sasaki, said the idea was to create a noticeable area
of business, but not block out sightlines, making it an unseemly
mess.
Sasaki is proposing a marina, fish market,
small business, office space and apartments that could double
as affordable housing for the area. Not to mention the score
of jobs that would rush into the city.
"Waterfront property is very valuable, and
people will buy it," Hoffman said after the meeting.
Before anything moves forward, however, certain
mountains still stand in the way. Moving the power lines
away from the proposed site is key. The city just received
a study conducted by National Grid that was very much in
line with the city's plans. Agreements about land and other
permits still need to be ironed out, but overall the study
was looked upon favorable by city officials.
Money is also an issue, and although the
city received a massive amount of state funding, $2.5 million,
moving on the relocation of the power lines is vital. The
funding, though, does have strings attached. The city must
reach a compromise with GE for use of land owned by the corporation.
As time passes, the cost of doing the project will continue
to soar. Early estimates place the cost at $4.5 million.
"We need to move forward with this as quickly
as possible," City Councilor-at-Large Paul Crowley said.
He understands the need for the project, which will take
Lynn into a new frontier.
Another bump in the road is offered up in
the form of a zoning issue. Zoning approval for the site
must be completed. Ward 6 councilor Peter Capano said before
anything begins, before the plans presented by Sasaki move,
those issues need to be resolved.
Despite the obvious setbacks that go hand
in hand with a project of this magnitude, councilors are
very excited about the changes that will happen not only
to the waterfront, but the adjacent areas of the city as
well.
Sasaki left no stone unturned in their efforts.
Streets that join the Lynnway, such as Commercial Street,
would see a major facelift. Trees, shrubs and a repaved sidewalk
are all in the plans.
"We want to create a sense of direction,"
said Varoujan Hagopian, a consultant that presented the plans
last week. "These streets are vital to the overall success
of the project. They offer residents, and visitors, a reliable
sense of direction. It creates a pathway to the waterfront."
he said.
Plans for Lynnway restrictions are also being
considered. Off-peak hours would see a reduction in lanes
for the Lynnway, which, according to Hoffman, would bring
additional off street parking to the area.
The overall success of the project depends
on the city's move to action. However, with Mayor Clancy,
Representative Steven Walsh and Senator Thomas McGee all
on board, the city could be enjoying a waterfront sooner,
rather than later. |
