Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, March 8, 2019 State gives Saugus $1 million more Town receives additional grant for design/ construction of Ballard Street RiverWalk (Editor’s Note: The following story is based on a press release issued this week by Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s office) T Law Offices of Terrence W. Kennedy 512 Broadway, Everett • Criminal Defense • Personal Injury • Medical Malpractice Tel: (617) 387-9809 Cell: (617) 308-8178 twkennedylaw@gmail.com 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 Kitchen Hours: Mon-Thurs: 12-10pm Fri-Sat: 12-11pm Sunday: 1pm-10pm www.eight10barandgrille.com he Seaport Economic Council has awarded the Town of Saugus an additional $1 million for the final design and construction of the first phase of the Ballard Street RiverWalk, a local development project along the river aimed at providing direct access to the waterfront and economic development opportunities in the area. The Saugus RiverWalk, when completed, will help attract local citizens and leisure visitors alike to a newly accessible and inviting part of the Saugus River and set the stage for the establishment of new restaurant and retail businesses in the area. The Seaport Economic Council is chaired by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development with support from the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The Council is working to challenge 78 coastal communities of Massachusetts to leverage their unique geographic advantages in order to grow jobs and the economy as well as prepare for the future as we confront the challenges posed by sea level rise and powerful coastal storms. Polito and the Seaport Economic Council awarded Saugus the grant during their meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 27. “I am extremely grateful that Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day! Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner Served All Day Sat., March 16 Where everyone’s Irish for a Day! Try our $10 DINNER Menu w/ 2 sides Facebook.com/ advocate.news.ma Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and the Seaport Economic Council have awarded the Town of Saugus additional grant funding for the final design and construction of phase one of the Saugus RiverWalk,” Town Manager Scott Crabtree said. “This partnership between the State and our local government brings us one step closer to the project’s completion, which will support the Town’s lobstermen and fishermen, improve public access to the riverfront, and encourage economic development,” Crabtree said. “On behalf of the Town, I would like to thank Lieutenant Governor Polito and the rest of the Council for their continued support.” Saugus is one of six communities and four educational institutions awarded funding at the recent Seaport Economic Council meeting for their initiatives to improve coastal public infrastructure and promote maritime economic development. Previously, Saugus received MORE MONEY FOR TOWN RIVERFRONT: Left to right, Town Manager Scott Crabtree and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito at last Wednesday’s Seaport Economic Council meeting when the Town of Saugus was awarded another $1 million grant for the RiverWalk project.(Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) $120,000 through the Seaport Economic Council in November 2015 for the plan and design of the RiverWalk. Saugus was awarded an additional $120,000 from the Seaport Economic Council in August 2017 for the design and permitting of phase one of the RiverWalk. Saugus might receive up to $3.5 million in grants from the design through construction phases of this project. “This funding provides a tremendous opportunity for the Town of Saugus, and I am so thankful for the continued support from Lt. Governor Karyn Polio and the Seaport Economic Council, as well as the Town Manager for securing this essential additional funding,” Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta said. “Once complete, the Town of Saugus will benefit from the RiverWalk’s economic growth, maritime development, and local attractions,” Panetta said. A brief history of the RiverWalk The Seaport Economic Council’s grant approval comes after a long history tied to the location on the banks of the Saugus River. The first integrated iron mill in the United States was the Saugus Iron Works, a National Park site. Other mills followed in the 19th century, using Saugus River hydropower. In addition, the Saugus River has long been home to a small but vibrant fleet of commercial lobstermen. In 2003, Saugus sought Seaport Economic Council funding for badly needed renovations and improvements to Lobstermen’s Landing to better support the 26 commercial lobstermen who based their living there. With $750,000 from the Seaport Economic Council, the town government was able to make the necessary repairs and improvements. In 2013, Saugus’s Economic Development Committee launched a series of visioning sessions in which the public was invited to help craft a plan for the Saugus River waterfront. A common shared vision was to create a RiverWalk to increase public access to the river banks, to encourage the development of new tourismoriented business compatible with and supportive of the lobstering industry and to create a seamless public pedestrian access way that connects significant public spaces and facilities along the Saugus River. Four years ago, the Economic Development Committee proposed a Waterfront Mixed Use Overlay District zoning bylaw, which was adopted by Town Meeting. This bylaw permits uses ranging from residential to light industrial to office to hospitality enterprises. Despite years of efforts, Saugus’s lobster fleet has reduced to 20 licensed commercial fishermen. Now, the Town of Saugus believes it is essential to introduce new facilities and businesses to help bolster the lobster fleet. With grant money from the Seaport Economic Council for the design and permitting for a new RiverWalk, the Town of Saugus believes that reinvigoration of Lobsterman’s Landing is possible. For more information, please contact the Town Manager’s Office at 781-231-4111.
5 Publizr Home