May 10, 2008
Editorial/The Daily Item
The Waterfront Development project unfolding along the harbor side of the lynnway was an eye-opener for the scores of business visitors to Lynn Wednesday.
Gathered for a Public Policy Forum breakfast between the Greater Lynn and North Shore Chambers of Commerce, people were invited to a Powerpoint presentation about the location and details of the 43-acre parcel's plan and underpinnings.
Sure, many of these same businesspeople had visited Lynn before to learn of ideas and initiatives that have been put forward by various coalitions of chambers, business partnerships, development agencies and the politicians, of course.
What was markedly different over their fruit and scrambled eggs this time was the presentation: An overview of the Lynn EDIC plan as outlined by Cambridge-based Sasaki Associates as a whole, as well as the realization by those from surrounding communities as to just how much thought and determination was behind such a large-scale project.
Elevating that to regional businesspeople so as to further build business and political coalitions clearly was the mission and Lynn EDIC executive director James Cowdell helped to solidify many other pieces of support and cooperation with a solid presentation that included planning details delivered with the tone of confidence in his voice that got much of the crowd buzzing with positive, complimentary comments after the meeting. When people hang around after a 90 minute breakfast to discuss project concepts and ancillary affects on other big-ticket projects, such as transportation, good things are happening.
Forethought about invigorating the future of the region - and Lynn doing its parts as (still) the biggest city in the county - is front and center with many new faces and partnerships, as a result of Lynn putting its best foot forward. |
