House Economic Development Bill Includes $400,000 for Haverhill’s Dutton Airport Redevelopment

State Rep. Andy X. Vargas. (Courtesy photograph.)

Plans to redevelop the former Dutton Airport into Haverhill’s newest business park received an unexpected boost last week when the state House of Representatives approved setting aside $400,000 for public portions of the project.

As WHAV reported last week, Rep. Andy X. Vargas secured $8 million to pay for public portions of Lupoli Companies’ $160 million downtown housing and retail development plan, and $300,000 for local economic development recovery efforts. Vargas told WHAV Friday that before the House recessed, it approved another Vargas amendment for Dutton Airport redevelopment.

The economic development bill still must be approved by the Senate and Gov. Charlie Baker.

At a Haverhill City Council meeting in May, Haverhill Economic Development and Planning Director William Pillsbury Jr. gave an overview of plans.

“The new business park would be on the north side of Route 110 where we will create a new roadway entrance with a signalized intersection across from Elliot Street. And, I want to point out very clearly, this will be the only entrance to the business park. There will be no access from Route 108,” he explained.

Haverhill is working closely with the Greater Haverhill Foundation, a nonprofit initially founded to build the Ward Hill Park and ultimately instrumental in the development of Harbor Place, downtown.

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