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Peabody committee adopts resolution for $65,000 MassDevelopment site‑readiness grant for Centennial Park
Summary
The committee voted 5‑0 to adopt a resolution required by a MassDevelopment recoverable site‑readiness grant of $65,000; the funds will pay a consultant to prepare a mini master plan and site readiness assessment for Centennial Park.
The Peabody City Industrial and Community Development Committee on June 12 voted 5‑0 to adopt a resolution required by a MassDevelopment recoverable site‑readiness grant of $65,000 for Centennial Park.
Andrew (Drew) Levin, senior planner in the Community Development Department, told the committee the grant will fund a mini master plan or site readiness assessment for Centennial Park and that MassDevelopment will pay a consultant, R&D Consultants, directly to perform the work. The project scope will include a current conditions assessment, zoning review, infrastructure and transportation access analysis, and development of build‑out scenarios and a strategy‑driven plan.
Levin said the grant agreement requires a municipal resolution and noted one parcel in the park — identified as Map 9, Block 092, Lot 001 — is about 1.7 acres and currently contains the city's water tower. He said the recoverable grant requires repayment to MassDevelopment if the city sells the site or a portion of it and realizes net proceeds before the repayable period specified in the grant agreement is satisfied. The resolution text in the committee packet describes the larger Centennial site as "comprising approximately 459 acres and 58 parcels" as defined in the exhibit attached to the resolution.
Councilors asked about the schedule and next steps. Levin said the grant's execution date is left blank in the paperwork and will be filled in when the city signs the contract; once signed, R&D Consultants can begin work immediately. Councilor Walton said he supported the resolution and called the Centennial Park planning effort "a very good move on our end." The motion to adopt the resolution was made by Councilor Cherko and carried on a roll call vote: Turco — yes; Manning Martin — yes; Walton — yes; McGinn — yes; Peach — yes. The committee recorded the motion as carrying 5‑0.
Next steps: if the city executes the grant agreement, staff will contract with R&D Consultants to begin the site assessment and master‑planning tasks specified by MassDevelopment.
