June 22, 2009
By David Liscio/The Daily Item

In a sign that development of the harborfront is progressing, the city paid National Grid $491,838 toward purchase of steel beams and other construction materials necessary to relocate electrical transmission lines currently impeding the project.

The funds are part of the $2.5 million state grant that Lynn received to help facilitate moving the steel towers from the harborside of the Lynnway to the opposite side of the commercial corridor.

James Marsh, director of the city’s Office of Community Development, said National Grid representatives have put out requests for proposals in order to solicit bids for the tower steel.

Once under way, new towers will be erected and strung with wire and porcelain insulators. The old towers will then be dismantled.

“We’re off and running,” said Marsh, noting that the materials purchased for the tower relocation is divided into four major components n structural steel, wire, porcelain insulators and concrete foundation work.

“We’re waiting to hear what the bids were in dollar amounts,” he said.

ITEM PHOTO
James Marsh, the director of Lynn's Office of Community Development

The relocation project is estimated to cost $6.5 million. When the $2.5 million state grant is exhausted, the Lynn Economic Development and Industrial Corp. (EDIC) will begin spending from the $4 million bond approved by the City Council and Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr.

Earlier this month, EDIC officials applied to the state Department of Public Utilities for the necessary permits.

“We expect they will rule on those in September or October,” he said.

EDIC Executive Director James Cowdell said work could commence by January 2010.

The tower relocation is meant to clear a path for development of about 100 acres of harborfront land, starting just north of the General Edwards Bridge. City officials say the expanse should prove an attractive development site for hotels, restaurants, residential condominiums, retail establishments and perhaps a marina.

The City Council’s Waterfront Site Plan Review Committee is also scheduled to meet Tuesday to discuss a request by Garelick Farms to build two concrete pads at their Lynnway creamery. The committee agenda includes a brief update by Sasaki Associates, the firm hired to draft the city’s waterfront master plan.