NEWBURYPORT — Acknowledging that plans to develop parts of the waterfront are accelerating, the Newburyport Waterfront Trust Monday night resolved to meet with other agencies to meld their knowledge into what they hope will be a smoother transition for the high-profile area.
The Newburyport Redevelopment Authority recently partnered with MassDevelopment to take initial steps to generate some commercial development near the Merrimack River.
Under the agreement, MassDevelopment can proceed with creating a Request for Proposals for development of the NRA's 4.2 acres on the waterfront.
The NRA is one of almost a half-dozen agencies and/or associations that have some authority on land near the river.
Given the recent developments, Waterfront Trust members said this is an appropriate time to begin sharing information with other groups.
"I want (our agency) to be proactive rather than reactive," said Joseph Brown, treasurer of the five-member trust. "We should forge better relationships with the groups that are also involved."
Agencies that either own property or have influence in the area include the Custom House Maritime Museum, the Firehouse Center for the Performing Arts, the Harbor Commission, the NRA and the trust.
The Department of Public Services and the harbormaster's office are involved in the supervision of different parts of the riverside land as well.
Land owned by private interests, such as Steven Karp's Newburyport Development, was not part of the trust's discussion Monday night.
The NRA has supervised its acreage for close to two decades, during which time numerous plans for the property have been proposed.
But the current NRA board has been aggressive in pursuing development, and the fact that MassDevelopment is advancing $50,000 for planning studies indicates the new partnership may make things happen.
NRA Chairman James Shanley, in fact, reads at each meeting the group's mission statement, which in part states that the purpose of his agency is to develop the acreage for economic growth and job creation.
City officials acknowledge that the NRA is the lead agency in developing its acreage, and it appears that it can pursue construction projects without resorting to an abundance of public hearings. The NRA land, bifurcated by Market Landing Park between the Firehouse Center and the boardwalk, is now used primarily as parking lots.
The trust supervises Market Landing Park and would appear to be affected by whatever the NRA proposes to do.
Municipal leaders, including Mayor Donna Holaday, have indicated that some commercial development may be necessary to pay for park beautification and open areas that residents say they want.
Brown said that numerous studies have been done over the years, and he suggested that waterfront organizations review their holdings to minimize misunderstandings should the NRA come up with a tangible plan.
"Trust members need to know exactly what we own," Brown said.
Trust co-chairman Doug Locy said that he and Brown would begin discussions with the Harbor Commission to make sure both organizations know exactly what property they are responsible for.
Members of the trust will approach other agencies and commissions in coming weeks to foster a coordinated response to potential NRA plans.
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