The best laid plans…
On Wednesday, June 10, the BHWP submitted an application to the Boothbay Harbor Planning Board for the development of the Eastside Waterfront Park. There was a full board in attendance along with the town Code Enforcement Officer Geoff Smith. Presenting for BHWP was Mitch Rasor of MRLD, LLC and Bob McKay, president of the BHWP Board.
Mr. Rasor had made a full presentation of the plans at a previous pre-application meeting so for this meeting the discussion centered on questions, observations and recommendations by the planning board. Each was noted and will be addressed in writing by Mr. Rasor.
The plan as proposed was consistent with the plan that BHWP has presented from its inception --- to establish an open green space for free public access to the water; to provide short term docking for residents and visitors with a public marina; to create a water feature for children and tidal access for all to enjoy; to open a general store; to build a waterfront pavilion on the footprint of the former Cod’s Head restaurant with two public bathrooms; to dedicate a pier to working waterfront endeavors; to preserve the historic boat house adjacent to the working waterfront pier; and finally, in the Hodgdon house (white building on Atlantic Avenue), to use the existing apartment on the third floor for a future park manager, and to convert three existing, former hotels rooms on the second floor into one unit of affordable housing.
No new buildings are being constructed on the site. We want to maximize the open green space for a park.
Whatever proceeds BHWP gets from any of these uses will go back into a fund for the upkeep and maintenance of the park. We already have a $500,000 endowment for park maintenance from a generous donor but we will have to continue to grow that fund to assure that the park will continue to be self-sustaining with no public funds.
As a side note, the demolition of the former Cap’n Fish Motel came at a high price. Before we could get a demolition permit, we had to spend $59,500 on asbestos mitigation. When those buildings came down at a cost of $65,000 there was no asbestos on the site --- it had already been removed. Whatever we do it will be done properly and safely. We will not cut any corners!
It was well worth the effort. After the demolition, we have had a steady flow of people visiting the site and remarking on the beauty of the view and expressing enthusiasm and gratitude for its proposed future use.
We are scheduled to appear again before the Planning Board on Wednesday, July 8. We are looking forward to an approval for our project so we can get shovels in the ground and make the Eastside Waterfront Park a reality!
For further information or to make a contribution you can email us at bbhwaterfrontpreservation@gmail.com or send a check to BHWP, P.O. Box 55, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.
