Month: November 2010

Grants Awarded for Schematic Designs of I4-C2
The I4-C2, 1.8 acre waterfront parcel, has been vacant for more than forty years.  In 2010, the city purchased the site with assistance from the Commonwealth’s Seaport Advisory Council, which is currently under idea development.The site is ideally located one block from Main Street and a short walking distance from well-known Gloucester attractions, including the Maritime Heritage Center, the Cape Ann Museum, and the Man at the Wheel on the Boulevard.  The view of Gloucester’s spectacular working harbor from this site is breath-taking.  In addition, the site will be an integral part of the Harbor Walk that has recently been funded with assistance from the Seaport Advisory Council.  The city expects to break ground on the construction of the Harbor Walk in the spring of 2011. 
As part of the city’s harbor economic development strategy, the city encouraged the community to participate in the development of schematic designs for the I4C2 parcel.  The city offered grants of $2,500 for reimbursement for schematic designs and demonstration of initial financial feasibility.  18 grant applications have been approved and will contribute to this idea phase. 
However, with or without grant funding, all those interested are welcome to submit schematic design proposals by December 15, 2010.  An opening reception and unveiling of the schematic designs will be held at City Hall in December 2010.  The schematic designs will available to view on the city’s website and at City Hall through February 2011.
“Our goal is for this parcel to showcase the economic future of Gloucester Harbor.  Future jobs and investment will rely on the fishing industry, the maritime economy which includes the creative economy, and the visitor-based segment,” said Kirk.  “All are compatible with Gloucester’s heritage and strengths.”
A formal Request for Proposals (RFP) for site development will be issued in the spring of 2011.  The requirements in the RFP will draw from the best of the best ideas in the schematic designs.  
LIST OF GRANT AWARDS
Lincoln, David                                                    Gloucester, MA
Beard, Robert                    Highliner LLC                    Gloucester, MA
Van Ness, Vicki/Peter                   Van Ness Group, Inc.    Gloucester, MA
Sachs, Alexander                    Community Preservation Assoc.  Arlington, MA
Goodenow, Dan B.                    Off Peak Arch. Services    Gloucester, MA
Mitnik, Robert                    Robert Mitnik Architect    Gloucester, MA
Altenburger, Susan                                                    Gloucester, MA
Toftey, Craig                                                    Gloucester, MA
Johnson, Paul                    Paul Johnson Contracting    Gloucester, MA
Cook, Douglas                    Landesign                    Gloucester, MA
Gorga, Carmine                    Gloucester Comm. Dev. Corp.    Gloucester, MA
Alves, Bob                                                                    Gloucester, MA
Norris, Charles R.                    Norris & Norris Associates
                                                   w/ Urban Harbors Institute    Cambridge, MA
Vogel, Mary Beth                    Map Lab, Inc.                    Boston, MA
Bergeron, David                                                    Gloucester, MA 
Neumeier, Elizabeth                Gloucester Stage Company    Gloucester, MA
McGeary, Paul                Gloucester Aquarium Committee    Gloucester, MA
For more information, please visit the Community Development Department’s page.