2006-02-08
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Date:
February 8, 2006
Board:
Economic and Community Development Council
Location:
Beverly Public Library
Members Present
Tina Cassidy, Carla Cox, Neil Douglas, Frank Killilea,
Bill O’Hare, Don Stacey
Members Absent:
Pat Grimes
Others Present:
Beverly Harbor Management Authority members
Don Neuman, Greg Ward, Miranda Gooding
Recorder:
Eileen Sacco
Meeting commenced at 7:00 p.m.
Cox opens the meeting by inviting Don Neuman, Greg Ward and Miranda Gooding
of the Beverly Harbor Management Authority to address the Council on future
waterfront plans.
Neuman states that the property has been in a state of quiescence for a lot longer
than anyone would like, and explains the locations of the property. He states that it
is easier to think of the site as having a water side and a land side with the
McDonald’s site being on the land side and the water side which has a recreational
marina with 28 slips and the Ferry Way Landing which has historically been a
landing for 200 years. Next to that is the public pier with the Harbormaster’s
building. He explains that there are a lot of restrictions on the McDonald’s site due
to a combination of grant restrictions and state laws. He notes that the deed for the
former McDonald’s property requires that the site be used for open space or
recreation in perpetuity and it is also in a designated port area which requires
marine industrial use. He notes that part of the challenge is to do something
pleasing for recreational boaters, commercial fishermen and the general public. He
also notes that it would be nice to have a restaurant on the waterfront and explains
that it might be possible with a two story building, housing the restaurant on the top
floor as an adjunct use.
Neuman notes the Harbor Authority has grants that we qualify for but there is no
money available at this time. He also noted that the Seaport Council is suggesting
that there will be two million dollars available to the City this year.
Neuman explains that looking at the site in thirds, one third would be along the
street for parking, one third in the middle would be open space, and one third would
be on the edge would have a new two story building with a restaurant, with
integrated landscaping so it doesn’t look broken up.
Minutes 2-8-06 ECDC Meeting
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Neuman notes that the floats alongside the public pier need to be replaced as does
the dolphin at the end of the pier, and a handicap access ramp and steel float will be
installed which would allow for water taxis and commercial ships to dock at the pier
in the future.
Cox refers to phase one and Neuman explains that phase one includes repairing the
seawall infrastructure, fendering the pier, installing a steel float at the end of the
pier with a handicap ramp at the end of the steel float. Cox questioned if this work
is within the limits of the channel. Neuman explains the plan and the Federal
Channel.
Cox asks if people could cast off for fishing. Neuman states that fishing is an issue
and explains.
Cassidy notes that water and electric need to be upgraded as well.
Cox asks about the brown building. Neuman states that the building is the subject
of emotional debate. He notes that it would be cheaper to take the building down as
the cost to repair it is very high.
Neuman states that Tina Cassidy is working on an RFP to deal with the recreation
aspect of the site. Cassidy explains that the RFP includes the land side of Ferry
Way Landing and the area around the McDonald’s building. Cassidy also states
that included in the RFP is that they are open to a proposal of someone taking over
the management of the marina. A city employee presently manages the marina.
Douglas recalls that there were preliminary plans with regard to the utilization of
the site. Neuman explains that there was a plan for a two-story building with a
walkway around the waters edge. He also notes that there was a second proposal
from Hawthorne Cove Marina in Salem that was just a proposal for 300 slips.
Douglas also notes that there was a proposal for a boatel that did not elicit much
support. Neuman states that the boatel is made for a marine industrial waterfront.
Ward states that he participated in a committee that resulted in changing the zoning
down there and explained that the Master Plan and the Harbor Plan need to have
the zoning in place.
Cassidy states that the RFP is going through a last review and will be published in
the Central Register on February 15, 2006 and will be available to the public. She
also explains that the deadline is April 26, 2006 to allow people to submit quality
proposals.
Cox asks for an explanation of the RFP process. Cassidy explains that there are two
phases of the RFP. One is the non-price segment which is a submittal of what they
want to do and the other is a Price Proposal which includes lease and payment
proposals. Cassidy further notes that a committee will review the proposals and
evaluate the RFP’s and rank them before making a recommendation to the Mayor.
If the Mayor approves they will negotiate an agreement in principal with the
successful respondent.
Minutes 2-8-06 ECDC Meeting
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Cox asks if there is an opportunity for input on the design. Cassidy explains that
the Planning Board will have site plan review authority over the building which also
triggers review by the Parking and Traffic Commission and the Design Review
Board. There are several other permitting processes with the Conservation
Commission, Army Corp of Engineers, Department of Environmental Protection,
and Coastal Zone Management and each provides opportunities for public
comment.
Coz asks if the permitting is in place for phase one. Cassidy reports that the
permitting is all done as part of the preparation of the engineering drawings.
A discussion was held on the designation of Beverly’s channel as a Federal Channel.
Neuman explains that it was an act of Congress that designated the channel and
explained the history. He notes that at one time the channel was measured by the
Army Corp for potential use by cruise ships but they never documented the findings
in writing. It was noted that any cruise ship that came to Beverly would need an
attraction and most modern cruise ships are shallow catamaran type boats.
Ward states that a proposal to drop the designated port designation would result in
all slips in the harbor being permitted for 99 years and would create an enormous
amount of value and would be very marketable.
Cox states that we need to establish with certainty what we need and work that out.
She also notes that the ECDC would like to hear any recommendations for value
recapture.
Gooding states that there is a lot to be learned from what has happened with other
properties down there.
Cox asks where the Harbor Management Authority gets their resources. Neuman
states that they get money from the fees for the slips and half of the excise taxes on
boats. The other half goes to the Waterway Improvement Fund. Cox asks if the
excess money gets turned back to the city. Neuman states that the money stays in
the Harbor Authority’s fund.
Stacey asks if they plan to move the federal channel. Neuman states that they will
not move it and explains that they would shrink it to add more slips.
Cox thanks the members of the Harbor Management Authority for attending the
meeting.
Update from Planning Director
Cassidy explains that she met with the consultant today for the waterfront study.
She explains that they are focusing on four waterfront properties: Beverly Port
Marina, the Ventron site, Mass Electric and Moynihan Lumber.
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Cassidy reiterates that the McDonald’s RFP will be published on Wednesday and
she will share a copy with members when it is final. She notes that the city received
a $470,000 Urban Self Help Grant in the mid 1990’s and she wants to be sure that
they do not violate the terms of the grant.
The Council discusses its short and long term work program. Cox notes that they
have been looking at the waterfront and talking to the owners of various properties
and reviewing to be sure that all is in compliance with the master plan. She notes
that the committee still need to talk with the owners of Rowands Fisheries.
Douglas suggests that the Council frame some thoughts for the benefit of the Mayor
relative to direct strategies that might be taken at this point. He describes it as a
conceptual proposal that embraces the thinking of the Council.
Cox offers to prepare a synopsis of what has been presented to the Council and to
distribute it via email to the members.
Douglas states his appreciation for the Beverly Harbor Management Authority
attending the meeting this evening.
The next meeting of the ECDC will be held on March 8, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
The meeting is adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
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