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Council accepts $1.49M Seaport grant and CPC funds for partial boardwalk reconstruction
Summary
The council accepted a $1,492,000 Seaport Economic Council grant and approved Community Preservation Committee funding to proceed with a partial reconstruction of the riverfront boardwalk, a roughly $1.8 million project that mixes reused hardwood and composite decking to address safety hazards.
Newburyport — The City Council voted to accept a $1,492,000 grant from the Seaport Economic Council and to approve local Community Preservation Committee (CPC) funds that together will support a partial reconstruction of the city’s boardwalk.
Scope and funding: Council discussion and committee materials described a partial-reconstruction approach that would reuse salvageable hardwood boards, remove unhealthy sections, and install composite decking at the two ends of the boardwalk. Committee members estimated a project cost of about $1.8 million; the package described in committee included the Seaport Economic Council award ($1,492,000), an anticipated CPC contribution (discussed in committee at roughly $285,000) and earlier waterfront-trust funds near $50,000. The consultant team has completed permitting and design work; the project has a 20% contingency built into the estimate to account for salvage uncertainty.
Why the partial approach: Committee members explained the partial-reconstruction plan was selected after evaluating alternatives. A full composite rebuild was estimated near $2.9 million; the partial plan is intended to extend safe life while reusing material where practical. Councilors asked for continued reporting as bids come back; the chief of staff and public works staff said they would provide bid results and procurement details once available.
Vote: The council approved acceptance of the Seaport Economic Council grant and the recommended CPC funding on voice votes following committee recommendations.
Next steps: The project will move to procurement and public bid openings; staff said bid results will be posted publicly and that council will receive updates when bids are opened and when final contract awards are ready for approval.
