Tag: Housing

Mayor Verga Announces Completion of Gloucester’s Comprehensive Plan: A Community Roadmap for the Next Decade

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Gloucester, MA — Mayor Greg Verga is proud to announce the completion and official adoption of the City of Gloucester’s Comprehensive Plan 2025–2035,  a forward-looking, community-driven roadmap that will guide growth, priorities, and investment over the next 10 years.

“This is more than just a document, it’s a promise to our community,” said Mayor Verga. “It’s aspirational, actionable, and attainable. And it reflects what thousands of Gloucester residents shared with us about their hopes for the future of our city.”

The Comprehensive Plan was developed over two years through robust public engagement, with nearly 4,000 community participation touchpoints through surveys, meetings, workshops, and events. The result is a visionary plan centered on local values and goals, Gloucester’s unique identity, natural beauty, working waterfront, creative economy, and iconic neighborhoods.

Key highlights from the plan include:

  • Upgrading infrastructure,  including roads, water, sewer, schools, and recreational facilities, to support evolving community needs.
  • Expanding housing options for residents at all life stages and income levels.
  • Supporting economic growth by strengthening Gloucester’s marine economy and attracting innovation-driven industries.
  • Creating safer, healthier connections through walkable neighborhoods, expanded bike and transit access, and public health investments.

Mayor Verga plans to appoint an Implementation Committee, composed of community members, city staff, and representatives from boards and commissions, that will be tasked with ensuring meaningful and transparent progress on the plan’s goals. The following phase will include annual reporting, performance tracking, and continued public involvement.

“This effort has been central to my vision for Gloucester since day one,” said Mayor Verga. “It’s deeply gratifying to see this plan finalized and I’m incredibly proud of the team effort it represents. From the Planning Board and City staff to our partners and residents, Gloucester showed up and helped shape this together. Now, the real work begins: turning vision into action.”

The Community Development Department will present the plan to the City Council on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

The full plan is available on the City of Gloucester’s website at https://tinyurl.com/gloucestercompplan.

YMCA underway – clearing and construction staging at former Fuller School campus

Posted on by Catherine

April 2019

charging up dirt_Fuller School property clearing for YMCA and housing_20190417_© catherine ryan

 

Testifying at the State House in support of Great Neighborhoods Bill- artists, seniors, housing

Posted on by Catherine

On May 2nd I joined people across the state who were asked to testify before the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government in support of the Great Neighborhoods Bill. Partners for the bill include Ma Smart Growth, The Trustees of Reservations, Mass Audubon, and MAPC. I was speaking about artists, seniors and live/work space, accessory apartments and multi family housing. I’ve never testified at the State House before, though I’ve been there often for events and art visits. The last time I went to the State House was when I went with Fred Bodin. This day was a long hearing, so much so it required a move to continue. The entire building was brimming with impressive hearings. It was fascinating to hear the testimonies and see the committee members in action. They don’t want anyone leaving MA!

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May 2

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2016 Smart Growth conference #MSGA16

Posted on by Catherine

I’m in Worcester, MA, attending the 2016 Smart Growth Alliance conference (I was an invited speaker at a prior conference.)  The conference brings city planners, transportation and civic innovators, real estate and housing professionals, business leaders, non-profits, architects, Great Neighborhood and gateway cities, and –well, let’s just say a wide range of (primarily) policy folk.

It’s surprisingly enjoyable.

This year, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito is the key note speaker and we’ll hear from Worcester the host city. Other headliners include Michael Hogan President & CEO of AD Makepeace Company; Mayor Donna Holaday of Newburyport; Dan Burden the ‘walkability guru’; Parris Glendening former MD Governor and President of Smart Growth America’s Leadership Inst; Veronica Eady, VP Conservation Law Foundation; and Monica Tibbits-Nutt, Executive Director 128 Business Council. There will be more than 70 speakers. Attendees often fan out in groups to cover more panels.  I’ll report back where I’ve landed.

One topic that will swirl in the background concerns housing and a landmark bill S.122 proposing changes to planning, zoning and permitting. The organizers support this in a big way. Director Andre Leroux writes, “We believe that the (legislators) have done a thoughtful job balancing the needs of municipalities, developers, and the environment. “

“With two-thirds of Millennials desiring to live in walkable, transit-accessible places at the same time that seniors shift to apartment living, suburban communities have a real test before them.  Communities like Newtonville need to decide between planned growth and unplanned growth. For its peers like West Concord village, Winchester Center, Andover and Newburyport, the future is already happening.” Quite a dishy prompt.

The Boston Globe endorsed the bill, you may have noticed the title: “Make Room for Granny, and other zoning fixes.” Granny does live longer than Grandpa.

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