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Committee recommends $285,000 from CPC to leverage $1.49 million state grant for central waterfront boardwalk rehab
Summary
The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously to recommend $285,000 in matching funds to repair and partially reconstruct the central waterfront boardwalk and to leverage a $1,492,500 Massachusetts Seaport Economic Council grant toward an estimated $1.9 million rehabilitation.
The Community Preservation Committee voted unanimously to recommend $285,000 to help rehabilitate the central waterfront boardwalk, a move planners said will let the city leverage a recently awarded state grant.
A planning office representative told the committee the $285,000 request is intended as the required local match to a Massachusetts Seaport Economic Council grant of $1,492,500. "We've secured a state grant from the Massachusetts Seaport Economic Council of almost $1.5 million to support this project — $1,492,500 to be exact," the presenter said.
The project is framed as a partial reconstruction rather than a full rebuild. Consultants from GEI recommended selectively replacing failing tropical hardwood decking with composite decking in the poorest sections while salvaging serviceable timbers in other stretches to lower cost. The presenter said the decking surface shows widespread splintering and trip hazards but the supporting bulkheads and foundations are generally in satisfactory condition.
Planners described an expedited schedule that is intended to let the city complete design and permitting this spring, go to bid in summer and carry out construction during the offseason to minimize impacts on boating and tourism. The presenter estimated total construction-phase costs at roughly $1.9 million and described the CPC contribution as necessary to meet the grant program's local-match requirement.
Committee members asked about neighborhood concerns and director-level support; the presenter said most directors support the plan but acknowledged some nearby residents worry about impacts to mailboxes and trees. The committee voted in favor of recommending the full $285,000 allocation to City Council.
Next steps: the CPC recommendation will be forwarded to City Council, which has final approval authority and will hold additional hearings per council rules.
