Rockport board approves grant agreement and accepts $3 million Leer Family Foundation gift for Rockport Common

The Rockport Select Board on Sept. 8 approved a grant agreement with the Leer Family Foundation and voted to accept a $3 million donation to construct Rockport Common, the new public park voters supported in a prior referendum.

Town Manager John told the board the draft agreement reflects a partnership model rather than the town acting as sole owner and contractor. He said the foundation, the town and consultants have negotiated contract language and legal review by the town attorney and that RFPs for construction are expected after the agreements are finalized.

Griff Leer, representing the Leer Family Foundation, said the project will require three separate construction contracts (earthworks, site surfaces and structures) and that the foundation aims to move the project forward quickly. "Our hope is to get bids that are fairly solid when they come in," Leer said, adding the foundation wants the park completed within about a year if possible.

Select Board members asked whether the structure of the partnership could leave the town exposed to cost overruns or change orders if the donor or its design partner expressed preferences that raised costs. One member noted the agreement gives the foundation approval rights in some areas and asked what would happen if that drove up budgets.

Dominic Pepper of the foundation said the agreement is written to require consensus with the town and that the design was co-created with the town, which is not intended to change. "If there's a real substantial change order that comes down the pike, we're obviously going to talk about it with the town," Dominic said.

The board moved to approve the grant documents and recorded the vote in favor by voice (5-0). The donation acceptance — a separate formal action — was also approved (5-0). Following the votes, town staff said they will proceed with the RFP process and continue coordination with the foundation, architects and the town's legal counsel.

The foundation representatives said the goal is to open Rockport Common by late summer next year if the construction window and bidding go as hoped; no final construction contract amounts were available at the meeting.

Next steps: town staff will finalize contract documents, post RFPs and return to the board with executed agreements and any substantial change orders for review.