February 8, 2010
By David Liscio/The Daily Item
Owners of the Ocean Shores apartment building, located on the same traffic circle, have been discussing with city officials their plans to erect another multi-story structure on the property. “It would be a separate building. There's enough land to do it,” Cowdell said. “They want to put up market-rate condos so we will be meeting with them over the next several months.”
Although the city did not receive an anticipated $8.5 million federal grant for a Boston commuter ferry off the Lynnway, the EDIC has applied for $2 million in state funding as part of the same project.
“We're seeking the funds related to a commuter ferry through the Seaport Advisory Council. It's something we are doing at the request of Lt. Gov. Tim Murray who chairs that body,” Cowdell said. “The money would be for phase 2 of the project, which includes dredging and construction of the dock area.”
City officials are also moving forward with relocating Lynnway electrical transmission lines away from the waterfront to make way for development.
“The permits are in place. We have state money and a $4 million bond from the city,” Cowdell said. “The easements are in place and we're almost ready to start construction.”
In late February, city development officials will meet to discuss the Municipal Harbor Plan. “The city of Lynn has never had one before,” said Cowdell. “It will be part of the city's Waterfront Master Plan.”
Downtown projects on schedule for 2010 include the expansion of the Lynn Community Heath Center on Union Street.
“The EDIC owns the parking lot next door to the present health center. Within the next 45 days, we will be selling them that lot to make room for their new building, which will be attached to the old one,” Cowdell said. “We're hoping to see construction start by the end of the year. Once it's built, there will be 100 new employees and the health center will be better able to provide more of the kinds of services that the city obviously needs.”The parking lot sale and health center expansion are part of the EDIC Board of Directors upcoming meeting agenda.
Little progress was made to force the owners of the former Anthony's Hawthorne restaurant in Olympia Square to improve or sell the dilapidated building. The once famous but long-closed restaurant has become an eyesore in the downtown business district where other entrepreneurs are investing in eating establishments. “The owners are obviously content to leave the building as it is. They also own a 36,000-square-foot parking lot in the middle of the city.”
Cowdell cited the success of the Blue Ox restaurant on Oxford Street. “The naysayers were wrong about the Blue Ox,” he said. “They had a very successful year, proving that a restaurant of that caliber can work in the downtown and because of that we will see another of that type of restaurant opening very soon in the same area.” He also noted that the Willow Deli on Union Street has thrived since opening last year.
“We've got over 250 people living in the downtown who weren't there five years ago,” he said. “We need parking for them that we didn't need before.”The city's Department of Community Development has been involved in making improvements at the historic Grand Army of the Republic building on Andrew Street.
Most of the projects under way were begun when Edward Clancy Jr. was mayor. They have continued under Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy. “She has been a pleasure to work with,” Cowdell said.
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