Growing up I was a Cerratani's guy. Now I'm a Shaw's guy, but I admit I'm concerned about the lack of customers going in and out the doors at Port Plaza. I'll be even more concerned when the Whole Foods opens in Lynnfield.
And this article in the Globe doesn't make me feel one bit better.
8 comments:
don't know if you still use this blog, but i have an NRA question for you after reading the recent stories in the daily news: Why doesn't the NRA just give the land to the city, and let the residents decide what to do with it?
I posted this to let you know I did get it. I'll post a response when I can.
Thanks,
Tom
any response to this?
Yeah, sorry. I've been writing up a letter to the editor that sort of addressed this. Then I had to scrub it and rewrite it.
Anyway, I guess I reject the notion that we're not doing what the citizens want. Take a look at Ed Cameron's blog. He's done a survey recently that jibes with conversations I have with folks.
But public opinion aside, the NRA isn't some rogue entity occupying the waterfront lots. The city created it 50 years ago to acquire, demolish and rebuild the downtown. I'm thankful to those who redirected the NRA toward preserving rather than demolishing.
The NRA still has its job to do. And the city over the years has appointed people to do it.
For each of the past 50 years, the mayor and city council have appointed a Newburyport resident to serve on the NRA. They don't have to, but they do. I assume because they see value in the NRA, not because they're looking to hand out cushy political appointment. This is not one, I assure you.
But to your point, you know what might blow some minds? The NRA might represent the last best chance to expand the park along our waterfront.
If the properties are passed onto the city, I’m not sure how easy it will be to exchange revenue generating parking spaces for revenue-devouring park space. And that's just the maintenance. The park will cost millions to build.
I've been accused on this blog of never meeting a tax hike I don't like. Well, I wouldn't take kindly to one that would go toward constructing a park when there are other options, ESPECIALLY, if the option is enhancing our downtown, bringing some year-round life to the waterfront.
So to sum up, I think we are doing what the people want. We’re expanding the park, improving the downtown, and adding to the city’s financial strength. I’m open to hearing other ideas but I think the NRA is the best vehicle to get this job done.
and if a deal is done with buildings involved, does the NRA go away, or will they still function as an "overseer" of the new development? where does the money go from and lease or sale of the buildings/condos?
also, how does having condos on the waterfront improve the lives of the residents of newburyport?
NRA goes away.
Money from sale (or lease) of property goes to city.*
Remaining land goes to city.
Any money left in NRA accounts from parking goes to city.
The condos add economic heft to the project. Retail/office buildings wouldn't generate as much money as a project that include condominiums.
That said, we're going to do soil testing to see how expensive the condos would be to build. Per Waterfront regs, any condo parking would have to be underground.
We'll choose a contractor to do the borings tonight. Come on down and say hi. 7 pm at the Library.
* Still haven't formally decided whether the property would be sold or leased. We need to see which would provide more bangs for the buck for the city. If it is leased I don't know if some entity will need to exist to "own" the leased property, but that wouldn't be the NRA.
seems to me the condos would only add congestion and set up the inevitable friction between owners and people trying to enjoy the park
Okay. I disagree. Condos don't impede our enjoyment of Market Square.
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