The Haverhill city council is expected Tuesday to schedule a public hearing to permit redevelopment of the former Friend’s Landing site, 85 Water Street, with a 59-unit, multi-family structure under guidelines for the city’s Waterfront Zoning District.
Water Street Waterfront LLC, represented by Attorney Joseph P. Sullivan, Newburyport, is seeking a special permit allowing a “density bonus” under the zoning ordinance, for plans to expand and improve public access to the Merrimack River waterfront and adjacent River Rest Park. The manager of Water Street Waterfront is Frank J. Franzone.
“The proposed development will greatly enhance physical public access to and enjoyment of land along the Merrimack River. The site is directly abutted by Wall Street, a public way running along the Merrimack River, which provides access to the river. The applicant proposes to provide a permanent 15 foot access from Water Street to the waterfront across the project site and to also provide easements allowing for the expansion of the park to the east,” Sullivan said in a letter to the council.
Attorney is Former Planning Board Member
Sullivan is a former member of the Haverhill Planning Board and a former chairman of the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission.
Project plans call for 59 multi-family units including “professional or artist live/work units, a decrease from a 96-unit plan approved by the council in 2003. A public hearing would be scheduled on May 19.
Investors within Water Street Waterfront were not disclosed.
The former Water Street urban renewal parcel was once occupied by Capt’n Chris Restaurant and later by the Friends Landing lounge.
In a related matter, councilors are being asked to approve the transfer of $7,700 to fund an architectural peer review of the plans, a provision under the city’s waterfront zoning act. Mayor James J. Fiorentini recommends council approval.
The Haverhill city council meets at 7 p.m., Tuesday, in council chambers at Haverhill City Hall.
“Investors within Water Street Waterfront were not disclosed.” –
Of course not, why be transparent in Haverhill?
More 40B investors is my guess as the poor continue to grow in Massachusetts & Haverhill. This is addition to the 40B at Harbor Place coming in, “growth” you can believe in.