Things that Confuse - So Called Consenus

The debate over whether to develop the open parcels of NRA land into a park or a park with some commercial structures is worthwhile land use discussion. But one of the contentions of those supporting the development of a park is the notion that the public on three different occasions indicated they preferred the former over the latter.

Yes, there were three separate surveys: 1987, 2000 and 2006. Let's look at them.

1987 - With the specter of urban renewal and the series of ill conceived projects that had been selected for the waterfront, voters - in an unbinding referendum on the ballot - did overwhelmingly favor park over development of any kind. Point conceded. But this polling took place 25 years ago. If people's opinions haven't changed over that time, the people certainly have. I'd say the majority of people in Newburyport didn't even live here.

2000 - This is actually the only time residents - in a questionnaire submitted in the census - were asked to choose between parks, park and commercial development or all commercial development. From the Daily News:

Close to 8,000 surveys were mailed, and 4,011 were returned, then-NRA Chairman Mary Lou Supple said.
Of those, 49 percent of respondents wanted a "park only" on the property. About 37 percent wanted "park and commercial" use, and 8 percent said "commercial only."
In a separate mailing to business, 43 percent of 162 respondents wanted "park and commercial" use, 42 percent said "park only," and 15 percent said "commercial only."

Forty-nine percent wanted park only. Not a majority. Certainly not a clear majority. Meanwhile 45% (37%+8%) indicated they wanted some level of development on the water.

So the vote went down 49% in favor of park to 45% accepting some level of development. Seems split down the middle.

2006 - Finally, this survey need not even apply. It merely asked if residents wanted a park or parking lot. No mention of development. Again, from the Daily News:

Results show that 398 people supported entirely parking on the lot, 1,756 support an expanded park with up to 200 parking spaces, and 1,389 support a park with up to 100 parking spaces. About 400 surveys contained no response.

Yes, the park did win out. But the census cited the park as costing $1.5 million, the least expensive of the three options which no doubt added to the appeal. Ultimately, the NRA's pursuit of building a park revealed it actually would cost upwards of $5 million to build the park.

In conclusion, the only survey to support the park proponents claims is 1987. I graduated high school in 1987. Believe me, people change. Believe what you will about the fate of the waterfront, just please don't accept the claims of popular support without considering these facts.