GA Blog: Gloucester

12.19.11 Gloucester Company Investing in Waterfront; Receives Tax Break

A Gloucester Times editorial discussed that the city of Gloucester will be extending an $18,672 tax increment financing agreement to local fish processor company, Gorton’s.  Gorton is planning to make a $13 million investment in the Gloucester waterfront, and the Gloucester will be granting the company a tax break, which is compiled over five years starting in 2014.

Groton’s has been in Gloucester since 1849 and shows no signs of moving elsewhere after investing in a new expansion to their production line recently.  The $13 million project is projected to bring roughly 30 new jobs to the area and the project will not take up any more of the waterfront that the building currently does.  The Gloucester Zoning Board of Appeals already approved the 6-foot exemption to the height restrictions that the project needed to go forward on developing the I-4, C-2 site project.

Read the entire Gloucester Times editorial.

9.16.11 Gloucester Harbor Walk Set to Break Ground

The Cape Ann Beacon recently reported that after two years of planning, Phase 1 of the Gloucester Harbor Walk will begin this fall. The city was recently awarded $1.2 million from the Seaport Board Councils to construct the Harbor Walk

The project will be completed in three phases. Phase one will incorporate downtown Gloucester, from St. Peter;s Square to Harbor Loop. Phase 2 will span the waterfront from Harbor Loop to Cruiseport, and Phase 3 will integrate Stacy Boulevard.

 “We need something to drive people into the city and linger, a destination experience that’s not only for visitors but for residents as well,” said Mayor Carolyn Kirk.

A committee of citizens and Cambridge 7 staff, the designer of the walk, discussed what areas should be featured along the walk. Since then meetings have taken place with local residents and business owners to discuss ideas and concerns with the plan.

“Eventually we realized that it’s not about the path, it’s about the story,” said Kirk.

Read the entire Cape Ann Beacon article.

3.7.11 Gloucester HarborWalk Finds Support and Concern

The Cape Anne Beacon reported that earlier this month a meeting took place to discuss plans for the future Gloucester HarborWalk which will run 1.2 miles connecting the waterfront and the working harbor and Main Street, reported the Cape Ann Beacon.

The walkway will be partially funded by a $500,000 grant that the town received from the Massachusetts Seaport Advisory Council, and is now in the design phase of the developing process. Plans include stories and areas that highlight points of interest “including elements of the working waterfront, Fishermen’s Wharf, the I4-C2 development, Gus Foote Park, and attractions on or near Main Street.”

After a design presentation there were both supporters of the plan as well as concerned residents. One concern was that the planned path did not include “crucial stops” for visitors, including the Chamber of Commerce which doubles as an information center, as well as Stacy Boulevard, an iconic Gloucester setting.
 
Read the entire Cape Anne Beacon article.

2.9.11 Museum Exhibit Explores Building of Historic Bridge in Gloucester

The Cape Anne Beacon recently reported that he Cape Anne Historical Museum is exhibiting photographs of the construction of the A. Piatt Andrew Bridge.  The construction of the bridge was one of the most culturally significant events that happened to the Gloucester area.

Constructed in 1924, the bridge connected Gloucester to the rest of the world and changed the town for better and for worse. While making the town more accessible and viable for businesses, the bridge also took away some of the uniqueness of the then self-sustaining community.

Other than discussing the exhibit, the article written shows the impact the bridge had on several area natives and the local culture.

Although closed in February, The Cape Anne Historical Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.

Read the entire Cape Anne Beacon article.

12.1.10 Affordable Housing Units Added to Gloucester Emergency Shelter

The Cape Ann Beacon recently reported that 4 affordable housing units were added to the Action, Inc. emergency shelter located at 370 Main Street in Gloucester. The shelter, which serves roughly 20 homeless people per night, will now give four “chronically homeless” people a more permanent place to live. On top of adding apartment units, the facility also greatly improved its common areas, kitchen, and bedrooms. A fresh coat of bright and modern paint has greatly improved the atmosphere of the shelter’s interior. 

Action, Inc. also did what it could to improve the appearance of the exterior of the shelter, hiring local artist Cole Herbet to create a mural on the wall in front of the shelter. The mural, titled “Harbor and Home,” gives the shelter a new welcoming feel, featuring bright colors and local themes.

The Action Shelter had been in great need of improvements for some time, “It has been a long time coming,” said Retired Action Executive Director William Rochford, “but we made a promise to see to it that these affordable housing units were built, and fortunately we were able to deliver on that promise.” Although retired, Rochford was heavily involved in the recent renovation project.

Read the entire Cape Ann Beacon article.

8.2.10 Affordable Housing at LePage’s Glue Factory in West Gloucester

The Cape Ann Beacon reports that the Swampscott-based Caleb Foundation and Caleb Group will break ground at a ceremony on July 22nd on Phase III of the Pond View Village housing project at the former LePage’s glue factory in West Gloucester.  Project coordinator Rob Bernardin said the plan calls for 6 one-bedroom apartments at an average rent of $715 per month, 21 two-bedrooms with an average rent of $910 per month, and 7 three-bedrooms with an average rent of $1,208 per month.

The units will be sold as affordable housing for people with income at 60% of the city’s average, with 4 units reserved for people with income at 30% of the average. The Caleb Group will also provide social service coordination for residents, as well as community space and a computer learning center.

Read the entire Cape Ann Beacon article.