One Judge's Scorecard

Stephen Tait at the Daily News does a nice job covering last night's mayoral debate between Jim Stiles and John Moak so I won't duplicate the effort.

But I thought I'd try something different. Instead of telling you what was said, I'll tell you one person's opinion on who won this bout.


I liberally paraphrased the questions and can't give you a blow-by-blow account of the questions. But here's my take on last night's debate. I tried to award points for technical performance (the quality of the answer) but I'd be lying if I told you I didn't also reward style (in other words opinions that matched mine.)

In short, this was my gut feeling on the questions.

If you have your own scorecard supply it in the comments. If you think I'm a loser for taking the the time to write all this out, you're probably not alone but feel free to add that comment as well.

Most importantly, if you feel a position has been misrepresented let me know.

Round 1: If you met with Steve Karp, what would you tell him you'd like to see on his property.
Stiles: Focused largely on opening the process. Said the project should fit into the community.
Moak: Indicated in his answer that he has met Steve Karp three times. Suggested a mixed use.
Winner: Moak wins for actually having met Steve Karp. The benefit of being the incumbent.

Round 2: What would you do to fix Crow's Lane?
Moak: Largely--and justly--blamed New Ventures, the vendor, for fighting the town over every single aspect of the project.
Stiles: Opened up by saying the agreement that Moak inherited stinks. Credited local residents for taking on the fight. Also raised the recent news that toxic materials from Winning Farm in Woburn could be dumped in Newburyport. He requested a copy of those dumping plans from the DEP and plans to have a professional review them.
Winner: Stiles for bringing up the latest news and showing initiative.

Round 3: What can we do to fix the infrastructure and increase services?
Stiles: Not a lot the mayor can do. Budget is tight but city should seek alternative revenue.
Moak: Talked about the plan for improving infrastructure that he submitted to the City Council. Revealed that he meets with a group of five financial professional in Newburyport to identify new budgeting and money management techniques.
Winner: Moak, again the power of the incumbent.

Round 4: Does the city need a parking garage?
John Moak: No. The Waterside group must build the infrastructure to handle all the parking generated by their project. Talked about partnering with Waterside on a public private garage if necessary. Also identified Prince Place as a possible site of a parking garage if we did need one.
Jim Stiles: Not clear if we need a full blown garage, but people want to move spaces off the waterfront. That needs to go somewhere. He advocated having the NRA determine is plans for the waterfront, incorporating that into a parking management plan and then moving forward.
Winner: Draw. I like the idea of building some thing with Karp and the Prince Place lot. But I recognize Jim is eager to get cars off the waterfront.

Round 5: What could have been done to prevent the closing of the Kelley School?Stiles: Said the move made financial sense but didn't necessarily work for the students or parents. Blamed Chapter 70.
Moak: Acknowledged the closing caused some pain but said the high school also took severe cuts. However, he was very encouraged by the new Grades 1-3 school configuration at the Bresnahan.
Winner: Moak. He focused on the positive.

Round 6: Should we have a city manager?Moak: He'd favor a four-year mayoral term and fewer city councilors. Said he's open to anything but he admitted it's a low priority.
Stiles: Personally he likes the city manager idea. But as mayor he promised to get a Charter Review commission started to identify the best measure.
Winner: Stiles, sounds like he'd actually do something to answer this question.

Round 7: What did you think of the proposal presented at last week's NRA Meeting?
Stiles: Too much parking.
Moak: Seemed okay to me.
Winner: Stiles. I agree with him.

Round 8: This is where candidates go to ask questions of each other. Neither seemed to draw blood with their questions. In fact, I think they were better at answering than asking.
Winner: Draw

Round 9: Is the school budget transparent enough?
John Moak: Better than it was, might not be transparent to all, but interested people will understand it.
Stiles: He thinks the budget needs more metrics to provide context, such as per pupil expenditures in other towns.
Winner: Stiles, introduced some new ideas.

Round 10: Do you support ban on chain stores?
Moak: No. Chain stores can add a lot if they bring the right attitude to the community.
Stiles: Favors a ceiling on the number or percentage of chain stores permitted downtown. Says we should learn from Nantucket.
Winner: Stiles. I think we should be open to the idea.

Round 11: What would you do with the Kelley School?
Stiles: Senior center, community center, and sale should be explored.
Moak: Laid out the steps he took to study potential uses for the plan. Says the intention is to keep it and preserve it, but it would be opened up to an RFP soon.
Winner: Moak. Sounds like he's acted responsibly.

Round 12: What are the three best changes and the three worst changes in Newburyport over the past few years?
Moak: Three positive changes: improvements at Port Plaza, conversion of multi-families along High Street into single family structures, and the energies that went into protecting against landfill.
Stiles: Positives: Rail Trail development and preservation of open space. Negatives: School budget cuts, Crow's Lane Landfill.
Winner: Stiles, although its nearly a draw because Stiles had time to think of an answer.

Round 13: Something about the historic commission having more control over the appearance of buildings in the city. I was contemplating Mike Lowell's contract situation.
Winner: Draw.

Round 14: What would you do to foster regionalization?
Moak: Big proponent of sharing services and equipment with other towns. Working toward that goal right now, cited example of Newbury police being able to respond to calls on the Newburyport side of Plum Island.
Stiles: Agreed with Moak. In that spirit he called Newbury's planning office when he heard the plans to build a senior center at the Little River complex. He asked about the potential of partnering with Newburyport on the effort, something that would help both towns. He said there was no interest(and they want our water and sewer for this project?).
Winner: Draw, both had great ideas. Teaming with Newbury on a senior center seems like a no-brainer to me.

Round 15: How would you improve relations with City Council?
Stiles: Would take a page from Mary Ann Clancy and call--or have a representative call--councilors each week. Keeps small fights from getting big.
Moak: Says the relationship can be rocky at times but it's working.
Winner: Draw

Final Score Card

John Moak: Four rounds
Jim Stiles: Six rounds
Draw: Five rounds

Stiles wins on the issues in a decision. But he may have needed a knockout.

Last Day To Vote

Don't forget to participate in the Park or Parking Poll in the column to the right. NRA Chairman Nat Norton, in a lapse of reason, admitted he actually has this blog bookmarked. So he will see the results.

Polls close at Midnight.

Safe and Happy Halloween.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU'RE OUR 1000 VISITOR!!!

Seriously, the site counter had total visits at 999 just a minute ago.


So...you're number 1,000.


Congrats.

You don't win anything.

Except the gratitude of a eager blogger.

History Made

Didn't see this in the Daily News today, but the City Council passed the Fruit Street Historic District last night. The Newburyport Blog is all over it.

I didn't attend the meeting. But Ward 3 City Councilor James Shanley says the vote was unanimous. Now all that's left is for John Moak and Shanley, as the sponsor, to sign it and make it law.

"I would like to say that the passage of this legislation is long, long overdue, and is an excellent starting point for the preservation of our most valuable cultural and economic resource," Shanley tells Newburyport Posts.

I hope so. It sounds like a reasonable measure to me.

Required Reading

Friend, Neighbor and Ward 4 City Council Candidate Ed Cameron once again produces A Web Site With Some Insight. Check out this list of things you shouldn't do on a waterfront. Study them.

I actually thought I'd lifted this article from Ed once before but I was actually thinking of another piece.

Karp Kernal

This is one of those things that is interesting but you're not really sure why.

According to a profile in ZoomInfo.com, Steve Karp used to be on the board of the corporate partner of Not Your Average Joe's Inc. The 2005 Globe article on Karp suggests he helped the restaurant with a market study, but never mentions a corporate affiliation.

The company is privately held so no government filings are available. The profile doesn't indicate how long he was on the board or when he left.

Again, no big "ah hah!" moment but it's worth a short post. It's also worth noting he's on the board of Children's Hospital, but we knew that.

Speaking of corporate Not Your Average Joe's, the Dartmouth, Mass-based company raised $6.2 million in private equity funding, according to Private Equity Week, a publication covering the private equity industry.

Random News

Just stuff I pulled off the Web about Newburyport,

Apparently the YWCA is close to selling a piece of lake front property in Kingston, N.H. No, it's not going to Steve Karp.

I have no idea what Cabot Newburyport LP is--I'm assuming its affiliated with Cabot Stains?---or why it would buy retail property in Worcester. Any info out there?

Pretty Outrageous

I know next to nothing about the Crow's Lane matter except that I feel for the people living down there.

That's why this news is pretty enraging. How can this be?

I suspect it might come up in the mayoral debate tomorrow, 7 p.m. at the Nock Middle School.

Good Reading

I've been struggling to squeeze a post or two in between my writing for my real job and rooting for the Sox, and I've largely failed.

So instead I just need to point you to a very provocative column in today's Daily News. I don't agree with all of it, but it should be read and considered by all.

World Champions

Can I interest anyone in a pair of Game 6 tickets? Face value, of course.

Hot Diggity

Despite my earlier lament,our Cable folks were at the Council-at-Large debate recording every word.

Watch it this weekend on Channel 9.

Sat, Oct 27
10:00 am City Council Campaign Debate
9:00 pm City Council Campaign Debate
Sun, Oct 28
2:00 pm City Council Campaign Debate

Even More on Karp

Just another quick note today but I hope to delve into the NRA/Waterfront stuff more over the weekend.

Found some news on Karp. Neither pertains directly to Newburyport but it's good to know what he's up to.

This is probably the more relevant of the two since it comes from Nantucket. The Nantucket Inquirer & Mirror reports on Karp's plans to "revamp its Harbor House Village hotel complex to construct the White Elephant Hotel Residences and will also renovate several existing structures."

Obviously, Waterside Group is talking about a hotel in Newburyport. Are they considering this kind of hotel? Well if they are I suspect the occupants could afford high-end merchandise.

From the article:

New England Development vice president Doug Karp, the son of Steve Karp, said that the additions and improvements were necessary to adapt to changing demands in the hospitality industry.

“We’ve seen a strong trend in the demand for one-, two- and three-bedroom hotel units,” Karp said. “We’ve seen a huge demand at the White Elephant for our cottage product and also at the Boat Basin . . . I think that’s the trend in resort-style hotels.”

There will be 60 hotel residences and some units will be available for purchase in the summer of 2008. Each unit will offer amenities such as high-speed Internet, a custom wet-bar pantry, washer-dryers and flat-screen televisions, with access to a full-service spa, fitness center and in-season pool. Owners will also be able to choose from services including housekeeping, transportation, a concierge and pre-arrival provisioning of the residence. NIR will manage an optional rental program at an owner’s discretion.

Is this what they're planning for Newburyport? Who knows.

Second article comes from the Boston Herald's Scott Van Voorhis, a former coworker of mine from both the Haverhill Gazette and the Boston Business Journal. He's a damn good reporter.

Anyway, this relates to Karp's interest in a site in Cambridge. Connection to Newburyport? Minimal, except that the site involves some Chapter 91 work, which Karp, with properties in Nantucket and Newburyport, is no doubt an expert.

Speaking of the Waterfront, I swear I could hear dozens of spit-takes from across the city as people took a gander upon the top Page 1 headline of the Newburyport Current. I can't find the exact wording, but it basically screamed "People Support Parking on Waterfront."

No knock against the article or the reporter. It quoted an NRA member's recollection of recent survey results regarding parking on the NRA lots. Anyway, I suspect some hackles are raised.

And I thought Laparoscopic was tough

Try cholecystectomy.


Or don't. Not if you love your gallbladder.

Confession Time

Lately, every time I pull onto State Street from Merrimac Street I start to slow at the cross walk because I mistake that Girl Scout scarecrow for an actual person waiting to cross.

Am I the only one?

Back to work. I need to discover new ways to misspell laparoscopic. I'm beginning to hate this word.

Ta Da! Your Newburyport Waterfront (maybe)

I don't have a lot of time this morning to discuss. My real job beckons, but the NRA unveiled a conceptual drawing last night.

It is NOT a plan. Repeat, Not a plan. But it does give one an idea what the lots would look like with 43% fewer parking spaces, 240 vs. 320. Park accounts for 64% of the land in this drawing.

No new structures are depicted on these plans. But the NRA--which I think did a nice enough job of running a very difficult meeting--solicited ideas for possible features on the Waterfront. Those attending even got to vote for their favorite ideas, which was nice.

The power of Newburyport Posts could be felt as only one person--that would be me--voted for a playgrounds. Meanwhile, a farmer's market didn't even make it onto the ballot. (My fault there, I didn't offer it up during the meeting.)

But NRA members say this is just the beginning. Again, more on the meeting later. Read the News today. I know it's all over the front page. What I don't know is why they didn't run this drawing bigger, and the picture--which includes the back of this intrepid blogger's head--a bit smaller. (No offense meant to old colleague Bryan Eaton, an NRA meeting doesn't exactly present any "Flag Raising over Iwo Jima" moment.)

And please take time to cast a vote in the first ever Newburyport Posts poll. Polls close when midnight strikes on Halloween night.

BTW, if anyone wants to send me a JPG file of the entire proposal I'd appreciate it.

East Lot
Custom House far right

West Lot
Firehouse bottom right

Iraq. Patriot Act. AIDS

Just trying to get some of the same love that Bruce Menin and others are getting at his blog. I'm ashamed to say I have NO visitors from Reston, Va.

Every visitor counts. I'll let you know if I bag one.

Important post. Give a read.

Don't forget. NRA Meeting tonight at 6 p.m.

I'll be the guy starting The Wave.

(Un)Free The Parking

I drew babysitting duty last night so I couldn't make it out to debate between candidates for the five at-large city council seats, and I was very disappointed when I found out the local cable company wasn't covering it.

Seriously, I was. There must be something wrong with me.

Anyway, I read Stephen Tait's recap this morning. I couldn't find anything too surprising. The whole dysfunctional thing is a big non-starter for me. First, I don't think it's fair--but I am new to town. Second, it's all part of the grand plan of checks and balances.

My eyes perked up (can they do that?) at one small item that came up for discussion: paid parking. I was happy to hear this was on the table once again.

Why exactly aren't we paying for parking downtown?

The city's finances are tight. The downtown's infrastructure isn't getting any younger. It's been more than 30 years of wear and tear on a lot of the downtown. Shouldn't we be preparing for repairs? Or are we going to shoot for a debt exclusion override after things really start to crumble?

Yet people still seem to see free parking downtown as one of their inalienable rights. Even though--as some point out--there is no such thing as free parking since free parking draws more cars, which cause more wear and tear on the streets, contribute to traffic, bring more problems, so-on, etc. Free parking means more people will drive downtown when they might have walked or ridden a bike. (Full disclosure, I work downtown and typically walk or ride my bike. I live a mile from downtown. I might drive once a week to make an early appointment.)

I'm sure some will cast this as some new tax or an unfair fee. But honestly I can't understand how we're comfortable with requiring kids (or their parents) to pay user fees to play school-affiliated sports and programs but we're not equally comfortable with paying our own user fee to park downtown. This isn't a tax. It's a fee that you choose to pay, and the money should go toward maintaining the infrastructure that delivers the service to you.

I think a parking could be priced reasonably, and I'm all for providing some protection for the elderly on fixed incomes. Also, we could cook up some solutions for employees working downtown. Perhaps they could park in the bank parking lots off hours? Or the property owner downtown--I mean property OWNERS--downtown could buy an allotted amount of space in a parking garage if we ever did build one.

But it seems to me we're missing an opportunity by not charging a reasonable rate to park downtown, particularly during the summer months and weekends when we've got visitors. I think we ought to hear from all our candidates on this subject, and maybe there was more said last night than what was reported in the paper. If so, feel free to enlighten with a comment to this post.

Answer To A Question

So I asked a stupid question last week and an emailer followed up with quickly with a wise reply.

What the hell does the mayor have to do with developing the NRA lots anyway?

The friendly email directed me to an article in The Daily News that I should have recalled. Within the article I found an answer, but I can't say I liked it. (You can also read a bit more on this in today's Daily News, which gave a nice preview to the NRA meeting tomorrow. I always appreciate when previews are run the day before, rather than the day of, an event.)

So, what influence does the mayor and city have on the lots since they waterfront seems to be tightly controlled by the NRA and the Waterfront Trust?

As far as the mayor's impact on the future of the central waterfront, [NRA Chairman Nat] Norton said the city does play an important role. He said there is a standing invitation to the mayor and the city's planning office to weigh in on the future of the waterfront.

"We welcome that contribution and insight the city's planning office can contribute," Norton said. "We are hoping for that to happen with whoever is mayor."

One important aspect for the waterfront is for action on parking in the downtown district, Norton said. He said "there hasn't been any activity in that area" even though it is "something that will influence" what the NRA can do on the waterfront.

"The one component of this that the city - the mayor, the Planning Office, the City Council - can influence is some sort of parking management plan for the city and replacing the parking that is going to be displaced on the waterfront," Norton said. "If that parking is truly needed in the downtown, the NRA doesn't have other property to move that displaced parking to, and that is something the city government can do: move some initiative forward."

"That is a very important component to the park," Norton said.

So that's it. I knew parking was an issue, but I always assumed that was just part of the puzzle, and that the city had more pull over what goes on along the waterfront. But I didn't realize--and I should have--that parking was THE crucial tie between the city and, what the News affectionately calls, the "dirt lots."

Nat Norton makes a valid point about parking. If the NRA is going to remove spaces--and we actually need the same number of spots (see letter in Monday's paper)--then those spots need to go somewhere. But is that really the NRA's problem?

If it wants to be a good neighbor, yes. But if it wants to fulfill the potential of the lots it now possesses then perhaps not. The idea that a portion of the waterfront space needs to be sacrificed for parking doesn't seen logical.

It's difficult to get a lock on what percentage of the waterfront would go toward parking. Tomorrow's hearing might give some ballpark estimates but unfortunately I don't think it will present anything firm.

The NRA sits on a piece of property that--if developed properly--could attract more visitors and business to the downtown. But some want to use some of that very same property to accomodate the parking those visitors would require.

I've been trying to come up with an apt analogy but I really can't. I guess it would be akin to Disney World tearing down Space Mountain to build a parking lot for the visitors looking to go on rides.

To be sure, the mayor and the planning office should have some advisory role in what ultimately happens. But the NRA should really make this decision based on the merits of the project.

More on parking in a future post.

Back to the Detour

Bruce Menin followed up to one of the spirited posts I cited earlier. Here it is.

Lock of the Day

Sox in Five. Midnight strikes in Colorado.

Go Sox.

We're blushing

Unfortunately, I've found little time to post today. I actually have a real job that requires my attention. I'll try to write up something later, but I did want to direct your attention to an interesting editorial in The Daily News today regarding the Waterfront property.

Somewhere in there the editorial mentions "tremendous speculation over what Karp will do, based largely on developments he has built in other areas of the state and comments he has made regarding his development philosophy."

Now, I think we've done a pretty good job here at Newburyport Posts on speculating what Mr. Karp might do here in Newburyport. Pretty darn good, maybe. But tremendous? Gosh, I mean, I don't know what to say. Thank you.

Just kidding. I know what it meant.

So go to the meeting on Wednesday. OR hit one of the candidates forums. Lots going on this week.

A slight detour...

This won't turn into a political blog. Afterall, we already have one in this town.

But there will be time when politics intersect with my general interests--schools, the waterfront and, of course, blogging.

So I'll just take a brief detour from our regularly scheduled blog matter to steer you toward Bruce Menin's spirited posts on his Newburyport Schools blog.

I certainly need to do my homework on the entire field of candidates, but Bruce is a likely recipient of one of my votes.

Give a read if you haven't already. Check this one out also.

As always, you're free to comment here but it might be better to do so on Bruce's blog.

And I've got a partial answer to the question I asked earlier. I'll be posting on that soon.

Go Sox.

Not Fair!

12-2!

What self respecting Red Sox fan could predict JD Drew would hit a grand slam?! My 8-3 prediction was nearly dead on.

Go Sox!

Posts Lock of The Day

Held campaign signs for the first time in my life today. Neighbor and blogger Ed Cameron drew me out. He's running for Ward 4 Councilor against Erford Fowler, who was nice enough (or competitive enough) to give a polite wave and a smile as he drove by. I just think Ed has some great ideas for Ward 4 and the city. They are worth checking out.

Why am I telling you this? During the chit chat, I was asked for a prediction for tonight's game. I was foolish enough to offer one. I mean, is there any sport where predictions are more worthless than baseball. "Fox's Keys to the Game: Throw strikes, Keep Runners Off the Bases, blah, blah, blah.

Well, I made one so I might as well broadcast it for all the world (or at least the lot of you) to read.

Sox 8, Indians 3. Schilling goes 6. Papelbon goes 2.

I will not make a prediction about tomorrow's game (if we're lucky enough to have one.) Dice-K vs. Westbrook? Holy inconsistencies, Batman!

Your Newburyport Red Sox

Just a ridiculous wondering, do you think we'd be talking about Steve Karp and Newburyport if he and Joe O'Donnell were successful in their bid to buy the Sox six years ago?

Perhaps we'd talking about a new ballpark on Newburyport's waterfront??

Just kidding.

Go Sox.

From The Daily News: Oct. 18

This is GREAT news. Excited to read that this is going to happen. This will go a long way to connecting the station to the downtown, which opens up all kinds of possibilities, like using the train station parking lot on weekends. (Think we can get a Pedibus to go along with the Pedicabs?)

Great letter too. Amen. Less than one week to the big waterfront unveiling.

Questions?

As I suggested in my earlier post, Ann Lagasse of Piper Properties/Waterside Group/Karp & Co. offered to sit down with a few of us interested bloggers to discuss their approach to identifying retail business for the downtown.

So I'm hoping to have a chat (an actual chat or an online chat) with Ann. I'll pass on the results here.

My take? I have fewer concerns about the downtown than some people. I think a large majority of the business down there do sell products targeted at higher end consumers. But that's been the case for years. Do I shop for clothes there? Not usually, but I tend to buy gifts down there as well as breads, cheeses, coffee, and some other goods.

I have some concerns about the chains. But I was surprised at the level of anxiety when I returned to town. At the time, one new friend asked if I was worried about the spread of chain stores downtown. I asked what she meant. She identified Starbucks, Boston Chowda, and Tablots.

I thought back to when I left town in 1997. Starbucks was here. Boston Chowda was a TCBY and the Strand was empty if I recall correctly. (I'm told a locally owned restaurant took over the former TCBY space for a while before Boston Chowda came on. UPDATE: An emailer tells me the shop was called the Off Center Cafe.)

Richdale's was here as well. Dunkin Donuts wasn't. Believe me, I would have welcomed an opportunity to buy a late night coffee after covering a town meeting.

Frankly, I didn't see the need for the fuss. But now I do recognize the Karp development will change everything and change breed fear. Hell, I wrote the hand-wringing "Will Chains Overtake Downtown" article when we broke the news that Starbucks was coming downtown in 1995. I helped feed the fear.

But this downtown has been changing for some 40 years now. But ALL downtowns are changing; some for the better, some for the worse. I think Newburyport's downtown falls in the former category.

I do give a lot of credit the Buy Local folks for putting their concerns into action and education. I also tend to give the Lagasses and Karp a benefit of the doubt. I'm hoping there is some happy medium between the two.

Back to my original point. If you have questions for Ann please send them along in a comment. If you don't want the comment published let me know. I'll honor that.

Don't wait too long. We might chat over the weekend.

Karp on the Condo market, Construction Costs and Parking

I recognize the city's eyes are focused largely on what Karp & Co. will be doing on the retail front.

But one of my larger areas of concerns has been his/their plan to build residential units on the Western part of the waterfront. (I think it was west.)

Anyway, why am I worried? Well, I'm worried because a residential project--more than any other type of use--can restrict my access to the Waterfront. I've got no problem walking along storefronts or hotel entrances that might enter the water. But somebody's front door? Or back door with a deck overlooking the water. That just doesn't invite foot traffic.

Plus, residents rightfully complain about noise, festivals, trash from Farmer's Markets, etc. I'm not sure residents and a downtown waterfront mix. (And the Project for Public Places agrees. Check out number 7 on the item that Ed Cameron recommended in his recent post.)

I recognize there are condos downtown that seem to co-exist with neighbors just fine (with a few problems here and there.) So maybe my worries aren't justified. But if the waterfront residential units ultimately resemble the condominiums on the other side of Route 1 we my have a problem. They're nice units, but the walk along water through Cashman abruptly ends.

I'm sure all of this will come up in the city's review. So here's another wonder (I wouldn't call it a worry since it's not my money.) Has the housing crunch has impacted the plans for condos or residences along the waterfront. Until I get my sit down with Mr. Karp (no word yet on my earlier invitation but we might get a chat with Ann Lagasse), I'll just keep wondering. But ole faithful Shopping Center Business magazine came through again with a roundtable discussion involving several developers, including Mr. Karp.

The article ran last December, so things have only gotten worse. Check out these figures on Newburyport for some perspective. At least I hope this links to Newburyport data. If not you may need to register and search, but it's easy. Also, check out Zillow.com.

But here was the question I'd like to ask, although I would have inserted Newburyport.

Chryssicas: Steve [Karp], has the downturn in the housing market in Boston impacted your development plans in Westwood?

Karp: No, but I think we will do more rental than for-sale units. There is a pent-up demand for that market out there. Two years ago we would have been developing more condos than rental. We are doing a mixed-use project in Chestnut Hill, but there are a few things going on in that market that make it different. The Filene’s at Chestnut Hill Mall will become a full-size Bloomingdale’s, so they will have Bloomingdale’s at both ends of the mall. The old Bloomingdale’s will become a Macy’s. We are doing a project across the street with Whole Foods and a few hundred thousand square feet of lifestyle tenants and restaurants. We are doing housing, but we will have condos there because we think the Chestnut Hill market is deep enough that there is a demand. We will build two condo towers there that are more a type you would see downtown than in a suburban location.

Check out those figures above from the Warren Group. You'll see condo sales are softening, but not the softest they've been. As for number of sales, this year appears to be far off the pace of 2005, which was red hot, but not completely out of line with other years. Play with the numbers, have fun.

So what's all this mean. No idea. I'm guessing it's still full speed ahead with condos or some other kind of high density residence. But we won't know until we know.

Karp doesn't say much during the talk (and I'm not implying anything by saying that, just observing.) He did make an interesting comment in response to a question about whether or not retailers in mixed-use properties count on business from the residents within the project. The conversation then strayed into the discussion of construction costs, which are going up and up and up.

Jordan: In leasing up the retail component of mixed-use properties, are retailers looking to the residential for demographics or are they looking at the broader demographics of the area?

Sclar: My opinion is that the residential component is the gravy. In a trade area of 300,000 people, you are looking at the people, and the gravy is going to be who lives right on top of you. If you don’t have a trade area, it doesn’t matter how many houses you build on top; it is not going to drive sales.

Karp: The biggest problem is that it is really hard to build these projects with deck parking. You can’t build underground parking in locations where you can’t charge. The costs of construction have gone up so fast the past few years that if it isn’t paid parking and you put too much density in the site, the numbers are beginning to tilt a little bit. Rents are not going up as fast as costs are.

SCB: As developers, have you seen the costs of construction materials increase? Is it preventing you from moving faster? There is competition developing nations that are driving our costs up as well.

Young: It has turned. A few years ago, it was going crazy. The steel price and the price of concrete, concrete block and sheetrock. Now, China is shipping materials back to us. A lot of the materials that we are using are coming from China. I’m told the quality is American standard. Granite, for example. Even with that heavy weight, we’re seeing it shipped from China to Brazil and then to the U.S. — and it is less expensive than domestic granite.

Karp: Don’t get the impression that construction costs are less, because they are not. We can’t get a handle on budgets [because construction costs] move so fast now. Prices are still going up.

Intersting, per Young's answer. Not only is the merchandise in the stores made in China but the stores themselves may be made in China as well. BTW, any of you folks who like to hear shopping mall developers complain will enjoy the first answer.

And yes I'll add this article to the Stuff About Steve Karp column.

Karp on Residential Develpment, Parking, Construction Costs

I recognize the city's eyes are focused largely on what Karp & Co. will be doing on the retail front.

But one of my larger areas of concerns has been his/their plan to build residential units on the Western part of the waterfront. (I think it was west.)

Anyway, why am I worried? Well, I'm worried because a residential project--more than any other type of use--can restrict my access to the Waterfront. I've got no problem walking along storefronts or hotel entrances that might enter the water. But somebody's front door? Or back door with a deck overlooking the water. That just doesn't invite foot traffic.

Plus, residents rightfully complain about noise, festivals, trash from Farmer's Markets, etc. I'm not sure residents and a downtown waterfront mix. (And the Project for Public Places agrees. Check out number 7 on the item that Ed Cameron recommended in his recent post.)

Just see the condominiums on the Western side of Route 1 for what I'm talking about. They're nice units, but the walk along water through Cashman abruptly ends.

I'm sure all of this will come up in the city's review. But here is what I've been wondering. Has the housing crunch has impacted the plans for condos or residences along the waterfront. Until I get my sit down with Mr. Karp (no word yet on my earlier invitation but we might get a chat with Ann Lagasse), I'll just keep wondering. But ole faithful Shopping Center Business came through again with a roundtable discussion involving several developers, including Mr. Karp.

The article ran last December, so things have only gotten worse. (Check out these figures on Newburyport for some perspective. At least I hope this reflects Newburyport. If not you may need to register and search, but it's easy.)

But here was the question I'd like to ask, although I would have inserted Newburyport.

Chryssicas: Steve [Karp], has the downturn in the housing market in Boston impacted your development plans in Westwood?

Karp: No, but I think we will do more rental than for-sale units. There is a pent-up demand for that market out there. Two years ago we would have been developing more condos than rental. We are doing a mixed-use project in Chestnut Hill, but there are a few things going on in that market that make it different. The Filene’s at Chestnut Hill Mall will become a full-size Bloomingdale’s, so they will have Bloomingdale’s at both ends of the mall. The old Bloomingdale’s will become a Macy’s. We are doing a project across the street with Whole Foods and a few hundred thousand square feet of lifestyle tenants and restaurants. We are doing housing, but we will have condos there because we think the Chestnut Hill market is deep enough that there is a demand. We will build two condo towers there that are more a type you would see downtown than in a suburban location.

Check out those figures above from the Warren Group. You'll see condo sales are softening, but not the softest they've been. As for number of sales, this year appears to be far off the pace of 2005, which was red hot, but not completely out of line with other years. Play with the numbers, have fun.

So what's all this mean. No idea. I'm guessing it's still full speed ahead with condos or some other kind of high density residence. But we won't know until we know.

Karp doesn't say much during the talk (and I'm not implying anything by saying that, just observing.) He did make an interesting comment in response to a question about whether or not retailers in mixed-use properties count on business from the residents within the project. The conversation then strayed into the discussion of construction costs, which are going up and up and up.

Jordan: In leasing up the retail component of mixed-use properties, are retailers looking to the residential for demographics or are they looking at the broader demographics of the area?

Sclar: My opinion is that the residential component is the gravy. In a trade area of 300,000 people, you are looking at the people, and the gravy is going to be who lives right on top of you. If you don’t have a trade area, it doesn’t matter how many houses you build on top; it is not going to drive sales.

Karp: The biggest problem is that it is really hard to build these projects with deck parking. You can’t build underground parking in locations where you can’t charge. The costs of construction have gone up so fast the past few years that if it isn’t paid parking and you put too much density in the site, the numbers are beginning to tilt a little bit. Rents are not going up as fast as costs are.

SCB: As developers, have you seen the costs of construction materials increase? Is it preventing you from moving faster? There is competition developing nations that are driving our costs up as well.

Young: It has turned. A few years ago, it was going crazy. The steel price and the price of concrete, concrete block and sheetrock. Now, China is shipping materials back to us. A lot of the materials that we are using are coming from China. I’m told the quality is American standard. Granite, for example. Even with that heavy weight, we’re seeing it shipped from China to Brazil and then to the U.S. — and it is less expensive than domestic granite.

Karp: Don’t get the impression that construction costs are less, because they are not. We can’t get a handle on budgets [because construction costs] move so fast now. Prices are still going up.

Intersting, per Young's answer. Not only is the merchandise in the stores made in China but the stores themselves may be made in China as well. BTW, any of you folks who like to hear shopping mall developers complain will enjoy the first answer.

And yes I'll add this article to the Stuff About Steve Karp column.

My second point (read below item first)

Can someone tell me what role the Mayor will have in the development of the waterfront. I know he appoints a number of members to the NRA (not sure what number to be honest but I'll try to look it up.) But once the appointments are finished, what say does the Mayor/City/City Council have over development of the two lots?

I get the sense from the Port in Progress series that the NRA can act independently. So I'm left with the understanding that the NRA members can determine the future of the waterfront.

Moreover, Fred Hufnagel raises a very good point about the Waterfront Trust in his letter to the Daily News. This was in response to Jim Stiles' suggestion to hold weddings on the Waterfront as a means to raise fees:

The problem for the city is that it doesn't own waterfront park or most of the boardwalk. Ownership of these parcels (apart from the two NRA parking lots) was transferred to the Newburyport Waterfront Trust, a public charity, in 1991. The Trust, not the city, owns the land and receives any income from what goes on there. The Trust is not a city body; its only relationship to the city is in the appointment of its members by the mayor and City Council. Fees from events held on Trust lands are used by the Trust to help cover the costs of mowing the grass, trimming the trees and for other maintenance and improvements. So far this year the cost of park maintenance has been over $22,000, plus another $6,000 spent on repairs and improvements. Not all this money comes from fees; there are also a number of very generous donations made to the Trust. But fees from waterfront events are part of the whole package and are definitely needed by the Trust to help maintain this area.

So if the NRA controls the lots, and the Waterfront Trust manages the rest. What is left for the city and the mayor to do?

I'd love an answer that I can publish here.

Details would be nice

I didn't get to attend last night's candidates forum. (Frankly I wasn't quite sure if it was open to the public or just to folks at the condo complex where it was held, but that is beside the larger point.)

I was a little disappointed in the discussion around the waterfront. Seems like Jim Stiles tried to get things started with his opening salvo. I'm basing all my comments on the news article, btw. Find it here. But John Moak didn't pick up the challenge choosing, in his words, to focus on the successful elements of his first term.

I really hope someone takes the time to parse the details of the different Waterfront stances of the two candidates. Stephen Tait tried to do this here. (I hope this links to the article but I'm not sure if registration is required.) But I feel more can be done. What does 250 spaces look like on the waterfront? What about 150? Give us some graphics. Show us some details.

I guess this is an open letter to The News, but if the Current is up to the challenge go for it. I, of course, invite both camps to comment to this post.

I just need more info on this important subject. I think both sides took a different degree of hits from Letters to the Editor in the news. Janet Marcus leveled a pretty good blast against John Moak here. While Fred Hufnagel questioned some ideas that Jim Stiles raised here.

Disclaimer Number One: Politics plays a role in everything especially letters to the editor. I obviously can't verify every fact or statement in these letters. But I haven't seen any comments refuting the charges or addressing the concerns raised in either letter. I think that would be nice.

Disclaimer Number Two: As I've stated previously, I'm a less parking on the Waterfront guy. I don't necessary want wide open green space but I don't want too much parking down there.

I'll try to wrap this up, but all this blather leads me to a larger question which I'll address in a separate post.

Meanwhile, I'll attend future forums with an ear open for some answers and details.

Welcome

First, welcome to Newburyport Blog readers who haven't visited before. I hope you stop by frequently.

Second, thanks to The Newburyport Blogger Mary Eaton giving the Posts a shout out in her latest blog.

I hope you do check out the Karp interview mentioned in the blog item below. I really do wish he'd sit down and have a similar chat with someone here in Newburyport. (He talked with a Globe reporter two years ago. Here's the link for those who haven't seen it.)

But you folks should know that I might have a bit of a different take on Karp and the waterfront than some . If this causes you never to visit again, I'm sorry. I hope you'd stick around to tell me what a knucklehead I am. I've got an open mind that can be changed.

Mary's lament about the loss of affordable shops downtown is dead on. But I just feel that horse left the barn a very long time ago. And I don't think I'm alone in thinking this way.

There are some excellent clothing stores run by terrific business owners downtown selling very nice merchandise. I have, on one or two occassions, broke the bank for a particulary nice sports coat or other specialty item. But I just can't afford to pay those prices, particularly when I know The Boy will smear ketchup and/or peanut butter on them the second I put them on.

I do shop downtown when I can--books, cheese, beer, bread and I'm sure there are some other things I'm forgetting (coffee from PI Roasters, of course.) I also buy all meats, vegetables from our local farmstands like Tendercrop. So I am definitely a buy local guy when I can be.

But can a small business owner can run a shop that sells me clothes at the prices I'm willing to pay. (I'm pretty cheap when it comes to jeans and shirts. I'll pay a little more for shoes because I commute to work on my extra wide feet everyday.) I don't see many of those around in any community.

If such a business came to town, I'd shop there exclusively. But I wonder if the only way we're going to get an affordable clothing store downtown is by welcoming a few larger chains. And by welcoming those chains do we honor the Master Plan, which Mary says calls for socio-economic diversity? As I said in an earlier post, I like Portsmouth's downtown.

I'm sure we'll hit upon this in the future, but if someone wants to take the time to offer a counter comment please do.

p.s. I also visited JL Coombs and found a pair of shoes that I own and therefore like. The price was a little higher than what I'd paid at the Kittery Trading Post, but not high enough to keep me from buying my next pair there to save on gas, tolls and time. In fact, I'd say the price--for this particular shoe--was comparable to similar shoes sold at Hymans. I'm told there are shoes completely out of my stratosphere, so maybe I was unwittingly slumming.

New Karp Link

Supersleuth Blogger Ed Cameron uncovered the web site for Karp's New England Development.

I added it to the links.

BTW, Ed also had a link to a great interview with uber-developer Norman Leventhal. He mentions one answer in his blog. I'd like to reference another.

He's referring, of course, to the new Greenway running where the Central Artery once did.

What do you think of the Greenway so far?
Superficially it looks OK. A lot has to be done. Personally, I was a proponent. But what do you do at nights, on a cold night? Post Office Square is wonderful, but during the night there is nothing. You have to have something there. Activity!

The same can be said for our Waterfront. In fact, I said it a few posts ago. Activity!

Wow

I mean WOW. According to GOOD magazine if you lay all the Wal-Marts in the world end-to-end it would cover the entire island of Manhattan-and then some.

Newburyport, btw, is just over 5,300 acres (8.38 square miles.) Looks to me like you could cram the world's 7-11's onto our little berg.

Wouldn't that be neat.

Karp on Karp

Found an interesting little interview Steve Karp gave to Plum TV, a local television show in Nantucket. It ran last month.

The interview centered on Karp's control of Nantucket. The host was no Mike Wallace, but she affably asked Karp about the concerns people have over his ownership of a big stake of the island's downtown. (I'm afraid I don't know the percentage.)

Honestly, she did a decent enough job. And Karp comes off as a very likable and local (by that I mean Boston) fellow.

If I had the technical talent, I'd voice over "NEWBURYPORT" every time Karp or the host said Nantucket because that is how it played in my head. This is EXACTLY the kind of discussion Karp needs to have in Newburyport and once again I offer this blog as his entry into the market. (I have a cell phone WITH video capabilities. We can make this happen.)

Anyway, give a watch. The few interesting elements I jotted notes about:

Early on he talks about how he has honored the style and substance of Nantucket's downtown. He mentions the island does have bylaws dictacting exterior designs, but he suggests any good developer wouldn't stray too far. (My two cents: He sounds genuine, but the more restrictions, the better.)

4:51-He talks about Nantucket having to give the customers want they want. He's specifically talking about the "residence hotels" they opened up on the island to cater to those people who had fled the island for more desirable locales. (2 cents: I'm guessing this is what he has in mind for Waterfront West?)

I need to give this another listen, but he mentions something about a chateau that is drawing European visitors. I'm guessing he is referring to this. I'll update if I have time to listen again.

8:10-He talks a bit about Walter Beinecke's impact on Nantucket. He also credits Beinecke for leading him to Newburyport, which he says shares similarities with Nantucket but isn't quite the same.

For more on the Beinecke-Port connection check out this Boston Magazine article from May 2006 includes a great quote from a former Daily News reporter (not me.)

9:16-The rumor mill is discussed. Surprise, suprise, people with little information are filling in the blanks with their own suggestions. Karp talks specifically about a rumor that he'd be bringing chains to Newbur---oops Nantucket's Main Street. He said it was never the case (and refers, I believe, to a chain-store restriction that was put into place. If someone could enlighten me on this I'd appreciate. I'm sure the Buy Local folks know all about it. Otherwise I'll find something for a future post.)

10:08ish-Karp says if anyone has any questions about what he's up to in Nantucket they should just ask him directly.

So I'm guessing that offers applies to Newburyport as well? So Mr. Karp, what's up? When might we hear the plans for the Watefront?

I'm adding these items to the Stuff About Karp list as well.

Duhhh

I'm feeling the "tyranny of the blog" a bit. None of the ideas bouncing around my brain are stepping up to become an actual post. Serves me right for trying to make coffee at home rather than go to PI Roasters.

Anyway, I posted another Karp item. This is from The Daily News back on 2005. I find it useful because it lists all the properties under Karp Kontrol, at least at the time.

Speaking of the news, very strong front page today. I enjoyed the parking piece in particular but you couldn't go wrong with the front page today.

More on The News in a future post.

Over the Override

I voted in favor of the override.

It's been suggested that such an admission could hurt my chances of getting elected to City Council (if I were running.)

So it bears repeating.

I voted in favor of the override.

But so what? This city seems inordinately obsessed with last May's override. Apparently, some voters are using the override as a litmus tests to measure the value of the candidates on the ballot.

Hogwash, if you ask me.

I mean it was an election, not an ethic war. I’ve got a kid. I thought the School Committee and Lyons made a good case and took some concrete steps by consolidating the schools. So I voted for it. This doesn’t mean I want people to lose their homes. I’d be completely in favor of excusing the most needy from paying the tax or giving them an abatement.

And I recognize that most of the people who voted against it don’t hate kids or want our educational system to crumble. They either didn’t have the means to pay or faith in the city to spend the money well. I get it. That’s fine.

So let’s move on. Even with the thrashing defeat I thought the override was a worthwhile effort. It set everyone on the same page. Furthermore, it saved us from carrying around a giant “What If” around while trying to cobble together the best schools we can. People didn't have to wonder "What if we'd gone for the override."

The election aligned everyone’s expectations and brought them to a common ground. I think that’s valuable, which is why I hate it when someone suggests the override was a “waste.” Elections are never wastes. They're THE most important part of the governing process.

The most galling part of last Spring's drama was the debate over whether the city should spend $17,000 on an election involving our schools. I recognize times are tough, but the request for the override came from a body that spends half this city’s budget and services thousands of its residents.

Yet, some actually questioned whether or not people should be permitted to vote because we couldn’t afford it? Or—and this one is even worse—some councilors questioned whether to have the vote because they'd already polled a handful of constituents and didn’t think the measure would pass.

That drove me nuts. Confession time. I was at the first City Council meeting where the override was discussed, and I might have rolled my eyes. I can't be sure as I wasn't watching myself at the time. But eyes might have rolled.(I was standing way and the back so perhaps my rolling went unnoticed.)

But I wasn't rolling at those who didn't support the override. I rolled at those people who didn't support having an election.

To future councilors, I only ask that Democracy be allowed to function. I’ve lived here a year and I’ve only seen one group request a special election. So I don’t think this is a line item that has gone out of control. Find the cuts somewhere else.

But that’s the past. I still haven’t decided who gets my votes in next month’s election but I can tell you their position on the override won’t come into play. I’ll be looking for the kind of people Mary Eaton Baker describes in her blog post today—folks who hold their core beliefs dear, respect the positions of others, and find some common ground so we can move forward. (Came upon Bruce Menin's excellent post just this afternoon.)

And I suspect some of those people actually voted against the override.

I Can See My House from Here

Going to the Sox game tonight. Look for me, I'll be the guy wearing the Red Sox cap and red jacket. Ten or so rows from the top of the bleachers. (I'm not complaining. I'm happy to be at the ballpark.)

BTW, I ran into a Cleveland Indians fan in the parking lot of Plum Island Roasters. He identified himself as such (he wasn't flying the colors.) I wished his team bad luck tonight and he returned the sentiment.

It was very pleasant and quite refreshing.

I'm just so glad we're not playing the Yankees. We'd beat them but who needs the chest-inflating drama.

Go Sox!

p.s. In case you're wondering I'm taking the train so I practice what I post. I'll be getting a ride home though.

All Aboard

Read this on the always very interesting SEED email list.

Sounds like a great idea to me. It pertains directly to a point Ed Cameron made in his blog a week or so ago and less directly to an earlier post that I had--we need to incorporate the MBTA station into the downtown and, in this case, other attractions.

----
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Access Project
Tuesday, October 16, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport
(enter off Ocean Ave/Rolf's Lane)
http://parkerriver. fws.gov

The Essex National Heritage Commission (ENHC) invites you to
participte in a public input meeting regarding the Parker River
National Wildlife Refuge Access Project, a planning effort to develop
a network of safe on- and off-road connections for pedestrians and
cyclists between the Newburyport MBTA commuter rail station and the
wildlife refuge and its visitor center. The project scope includes an
assessment of bicycle and pedestrian access in the vicinity of the
Route 1 traffic circle and redeveloping the former City Branch rail
corridor as part of the Clipper City Rail Trail. The project area
encompasses a portion of the Coastal Trails Network, an emerging 30-
mile system of walking and biking trails linking the communities of
Amesbury, Newbury, Newburyport and Salisbury. www.coastaltrails. org

For more information, call Bill Steelman at ENHC at 978-740-0444.

Update on Karp

I was Googling "Nantucket, Karp, Blog" after I posted the item below. My search led me to this piece from The Newburyport Blog.

The item, which ran last July, makes similar points and cites some of the same articles I cite.

Plus, the author Allyson Lawless has some really nice insights about Nantucket that are worth reading.

Anyway, while this didn't influence my post it certain should be cited since it shares some common thoughts while drawing somewhat different conclusions.

And anything about Karp and Newburyport certainly bears repeating.

Stuff About Karp

I find this interesting.

Karp built his fortune (literally) in the 1960s and 1970s by building open and enclosed shopping malls. At the same time, Newburyport bucked the trend by restoring its downtown. This presented an authentic alternative to strolling through those commercial theme parks.

Fast forward 30 years later, shopping malls are out of fashion (and the land to build them is more expensive.) "Life Style Centers" are in. What's a life style center? Basically, a faux downtown.

From at 2004 Boston Business Journal article (see link:)

While lifestyle centers won't replace regional malls -- the developments are an alternative, said Karp -- there are few new malls being built these days for lack of available land. Karp is currently in the approval process for an 800,000-square-foot lifestyle center across from the Atrium Mall in Newton.

Enclosed malls have high operating costs and need to be built big enough to accommodate two department stores to cover costs.

Lifestyle centers, which Karp said are easier to build, offer the same amenities as malls but are geared toward people with high incomes.

Many fashion and home-goods parent companies have separate versions of stores for these new centers, which typically feature restaurants -- no mall-style food courts.

Guess what? We live in a lifestyle center.

So while Karp and other mall developers went one way in the 1970s Newburyport went the other. Three decades later, he's reversed course and ... well ... I'd say he caught up. Check out the article from Shopping Business Center. Karp's New England Development is working on some interesting mixed use projects across the state. None can be Newburyport, but they can be expensive replicas. See the picture for his Pier 4 plans (I pulled it from the Shopping Business Center web site.)

So what are his plans for Newburyport? It'd be nice to know details but here's something from the same article.

With long success in Nantucket over the last 20 years, New England Development is now applying that knowledge to Newburyport, Massachusetts. The company has recently purchased a large portfolio of downtown and waterfront properties in this seaside town, located 30 miles north of Boston, partnering with the Lagasse family, a local owner. It plans to build waterfront residences as well as new restaurants and retail. The retail mix in downtown Newburyport is very local and New England Development plans to keep it that way.

“Our investment in Newburyport is in both the waterfront development and in the retail downtown. We want both to thrive,” says (President Steve Fischman).

Not exactly a guarantee, I know. It still makes a lot of sense to pursue local controls. Unlike a lot of folks I don't have huge issue with what Karp is planning to do. Lots of communities would kill for this sort of attention. However, I really wish Karp would reach out a little bit. The silence is concerning.

So why am I bringing all this up? First, because this is my blog. Second, because I'm introducing a new feature to Newburyport Posts. I thought it might be fun to post articles and other stuff that I find about Steve Karp.

You can find it all under "Stuff About Steve Karp" in the right hand column. No additional charge.

Oh, if you happen upon an article worth adding to the list please send it along.

Proceed with .....

I don't want to bite the hand that sends readers my way (and we're talking a jump of more than 600%!!) But did the Daily News editorial page really have to repeat itself in Tuesday's editorial?

Port ban on chainstores needs close look

It is easy to understand the thinking behind the current push to ban any more chain stores in Newburyport's downtown.

Many in Newburyport don't want its unique downtown character to become a collection of national outlets that looks like every shopping center in the country. That may become especially critical in the near future if the development of Waterside West, between the Black Cow and Michael's Harborside restaurants, proceeds.

That said, city officials would do well to proceed with caution on a proposed ordinance from Buy Local, submitted to the City Council in April, that would ban any new "formula" retail outlets and strictly limit any expansion of the chain outlets that are here.

The editorial sounded familiar. So I set my Way Back machine to April 16, 2007.......Annnnnnnnnnd

Chain store ban needs careful consideration

The war on chain stores in downtown Newburyport is about to be launched, with a four-page proposed ordinance now before the City Council.

But before councilors embrace the concept that the city needs a major ordinance to keep the local business district frozen in "unique, historic" time, they should remind themselves to proceed with caution. Big social, or economic, engineering efforts like this tend to have unintended consequences.

Since the city didn't adopt anything in the five months in between, caution apparently has won the day.

I guess some things just bear repeating.

For the record, I agree with the Daily News--both times. I applaud those folks are take such an active interest in preserving the downtown, but I don't think a few chainstores would hurt. I see Portsmouth, NH as a success story, not a failure.

I particularly agree with the ending to the News editorial--the second one.

The bigger issue here is what exactly Mr. Karp intends to do with his controlling chunk of Newburyport. He is the city's largest landowner, and it's clear that its future direction lies in his hands. Wouldn't it be nice if he were to come before Newburyporters in a public forum, introduce himself, and explain what it is that he wants to do? We hope that he will do so.

Perhaps that would begin to alleviate the well-founded fears for the downtown's future, and give us all more information to act on.

It would be nice. And if he didn't want to take the time to make a trip up here. He's welcome to introduce himself to the now dozens of Newburyport Posts readers (at least as of yesterday.)

The Link

A good blogger would have posted a link to Stephen Tait's article yesterday so draw whatever conclusions you want.

A good blogger also would have just updated yesterday's post and not used this as cheap way to get a fresh post up here.

Welcome

If you're reading this there's a pretty good chance you read Stephen Tait's Daily News article about bloggers in town.

I started this a few weeks ago just to mouth off about the stuff I see in Newburyport. I honestly didn't think anyone would find it, at least not for a few months, but here we are.

Ideally this will be a place to go to read some commentary on the city you love.

I'll try to keep it interesting. If I'm nailing something, missing something or boring you to death, well feel free to shoot me an email. And make sure you visit Mary, Ed, Bruce and all the other blogs in town as well.

Thanks

Ugh

Sorry I haven't posted. I've been on a business trip and then sick with the flu. Blaah.

Does This Ring a Bell?

I'm hearing the sweet sound of a church bell at night. The most recent time was 8:50 p.m. when I was walking Lucy The Dog back up Oakland Street.


I don't think I've heard this before. Is there a new bell in town? Or have I been completely clueless this entire year?

Well I’m glad someone asked.

Thanks to the Newburyport Redevelopment Authority for outright asking for some ideas about what to do with the Central Waterfront.

I’ve got some ideas but rather than offer them right now I’d rather comment on some of the ideas suggested in the Daily News.

Expanded Sculpture Park
Please no. I like sculptures, I really do. And I particulary enjoy the sculptures on the boardwalk over by the Black Cow. They are a nice little surprise as one walks toward the water, and I appreciate that. Would a few more hurt? Quite the contrary, but an entire area dedicated to sculptures seems like it would be widely seen but hardly used. I'd probably lump the Garden suggestion in here as well. A small one would be a nice feature, but gardens too often seem less inviting than less delicate uses.

Sitting area with benches
Benches should be part of everything, but is this really an idea?

Lecture space
Absolutely not. Go to the Firehouse or the high school if you want to lecture. This is the outdoors. Let's move around.

Historic recognition
If it's mixed in with larger uses, sure. But this should not be the primary focus of the Waterfront. Looking back is great--and necessary--and we do a lot of it in this town. And we should. But let's move forward (if I may borrow a line from friend and neighbor Ed Cameron.)

educational exhibit based on fishing/boat building heritage
Some pictures and posters might be nice. But let's not make this a history lesson. And if we want to honor our fishing heritage, let's keep the fishing boats and establish a fish market.

Memorialize location of historically significant waterfront buildings
We've got plenty of historical buildings that serve as such memorial. Let's not make the waterfront the Theme Park of What Was.

Delineation of historic shoreline
I like this idea. Could be done well with tiles, brick or some other surface. I think it would be an eye opener and a neat feature.

Pavilion
Nah, let's not try to recreate Revere Beach here (and I mean that in a good "in it's hey day" sort of way. I don't like creating "gathering places." Boston City Hall Plaza was supposed to be a gathering place. Other than the occassional questionable Pep Rally does it serve this purpose at all. As for it's providing protection against inclement weather, that's what our stores, restaurants and homes are for.

Harbormaster building
Hmmmm, probably not. Perhaps by Cashman.

Child playground
Full disclosure, I have a child. But nothing adds vitality and visitors like a playground. Ever go to Cashman on a nice sunny day. Great energy. But this would be part of a bigger puzzle.

Public rest-rooms
Sure.

Unprogrammed active recreation area
What does this mean?

Informal sports play area
Does this mean grass?

I'm getting winded. Let's wrap some of these up...

Yankee Homecoming events
Seems like there’s enough space now.

Visitor's/Information center, Kiosk/ map of downtown attractions, Ticket sales for boat tours
Sure, but this garnish. Where’s the beef?

Farmer's market
HERE IT IS.

I didn’t understand the resistance to the farmer's market at The Mall. Those arguing against it suggested it would draw business away from our locally owned businesses. But that wouldn’t be the case if our local farms sold their fruit and vegetables there. In fact they’d reach out to a people who might not otherwise make it to their farm stands. I don't see how this would be any different than the food vendors who stuff Market Square during long weekends. Don't they draw business from restaurants? If so why are they permitted.

This might work on the waterfront. A farmer's market as part of a larger marketplace where folks living here and elsewhere can find fresh local goods, fish off the boats, locally made goods/crafts, perhaps some art. Think Pike's Place in Seattle but with a lot less building.

Add in a playground and a few other features, including more open space, and we'll have an even greater treasure.

I think the worst thing we could do—and this is a tired argument—is overdo the parking. Is it practical? Yes. But big opportunities aren't always practical. They require leaps of faith, at least that's what folks around here through 30 or 40 years ago. That seems to be the overall message being conveyed by the Daily News' Port in Progress series.

If we pave it and park on it we’re going to miss a great opportunity to create something truly special, something no other city or town in the region or the state can really boast. If it’s done well enough the downtown will thrive, and we’ll find some other place to park our cars.

I can't wait for the 24th.

Welcome Knife Tricks Readers

I never officially thanked ole buddy/ole pal Park Karl Lukacs for his plug on his internationally renowned Knife Tricks blog. The blogosphere had never felt so warm and snuggly.

I wish I had an equally flattering photo of PKL to share. You'll have to visit Knife Tricks to find it. (Nicole, upon seeing the photo asked, "You looked like THAT when I was dating you?" Well, yes. I guess I did.) But Paul is a wily one. I could only find this photo of him visiting the beaches of Bokurdak, Turkmenistan.

For those of you who are interested in travel, airplanes, the law, history, books and genuinely great travel writing from North Korea and other exotic locales visit Knife Tricks frequently. Since he's never been to Newburyport stick around here for chatter about that.

Someone Could Have Told Me

I'd never been to Mike's Sub.

I never went while I worked at the Daily News. Didn't stop in when I visited Port frequently during my self-imposed exile. And I never stepped inside that little brick box during the entire year I've been back.

I don't know why. I guess when I think food I think downtown--State, Pleasant or Inn Street (maybe some Middle Street from time-to-time.) No slight against Mike's.

But here I am, two days after it's closed. It's 1:31 p.m. I haven't had lunch yet. I can't think of a single thing I want--except a sub from Mike's.

Such is life, I suppose.

BTW, I have no insights on why Mike's is closed. Sounds like Judy Fogel, owner/operator, legitimately wanted to move on to something else. As one disappointed patron aptly put it in the Daily News story, "There's nothing unreasonable about saying, 'You know what, I've made enough sandwiches.'"

I just hope this closing doesn't evolve into a, "See another Newburyport institution is gone because new residents didn't support it." Seems like we get blamed for enough. In this case, according to the article, the shop didn't suffer from a lack of support.

So why didn't anyone tell me to buy a sub there while it was still open.