The Newburyport Blog

I wasn’t at Mr. Karp’s visit to Newburyport, MA (see previous post), and having read all the newspaper articles, blogs and having talked to any number for folks, and having put all of that in a stew in my brain, the following “stuff” has emerged.

It does appear that Mr. Karp did good. As Public Relations go, in fact, of all the many, many ways he could have conducted the evening, it was “brilliant.”

To meet folks in person before hand, I gotta tell you, A+. (Does this blogger feel a little bit arrogant giving a developer of Mr. Karp stature, grades that one receives in High School? Yup, she does.) Being the only one to address the audience, relaxed, joking, in shirt sleeves and taking questions–as my son would say, “classic.” Definitely good go’n Mr. Karp.

Stressing public input and public process, on the record no less, well, this blogger likes this big time.

However, there were a few, “wait a moment” moments for moi.

The stress on the city coming up with a solution to the parking issue.

My first thought was, well, we’ve been fighting over this since the automobile first made its appearance, good luck with that one. I guess nothing is ever going to get built on Waterfront West or East. As my mother would say “tant pis,” or French for “too bad.”

And then I thought, hmm, the best proposed location for a parking garage by far, in my opinion, had been on the Lomardi Oil site, on Merrimac Street, behind the Newburyport police station. The Newburyport Planning Office had come up with a pretty awesome design (it failed in the Newburyport City Council at the time by one vote–in hindsight, it appears to be an “oh dear”).

And Mr. Karp has mentioned that he would not be opposed to a public, private enterprise. So 2 great locations on Mr. Karp’s property. Around the Fitness Factory, but even better, a well designed garage right off of Route 1 where the land going down to Michael’s Harborside is, and where I gather the hotel-condominium is being proposed. I think that the citizens of Newburyport, MA might go for a parking garage on that site. I have a feeling however, that that might not give the bang for the buck that Mr. Karp could be looking for.

There was a “ding, ding, ding, ding” going off in my head, hearing that when the question was asked, who on the development team would be the contact person for the Newburyport public on this project, and that at that time, no one had been appointed.

And on the subject of affordable housing, it sounds as if Mr. Karp drew a blank, and our own Nancy Colbert (Newburyport’ Planning Director), came to his rescue.

On his blog, Newburyport According to X, Mr. Npbt X had some interesting observations about Mr. Karp’s audience. What can I say, I wasn’t there. An interesting read.

And it appears that the audience broke down into three separate groups: the “skeptical group,” the “cautiously optimistic group,” and the “can I KYA, leechy group.” All of which, I would imagine, in Mr. Karp’s long career, must seem all very, very familiar.

So welcome to Newburyport, Stephen Karp.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Well, this is a relief. Really and truly a relief.

According to today’s Newburyport Daily News, January 30, 2008, Stephen Karp is coming to visit Newburyport, MA. The hope is for sometime in early March 2008.

“”It is just him trying to be visible here,” the mayor said… “It will be open to the public.”

The intention of the meeting, which is being pursued by (John) Moak and other Newburyport officials, is simply an introduction of the “players” involved with New England Development, including Karp, Moak said…”

“Moak said he wasn’t sure what form Karp’s visit would take but said he could address his development philosophy and introduce his team…”

“It is going to be more of an introduction, an introduction of New England Development to the community,” Moak said…

“At this point, the logical thing to do is to get to know the people of Newburyport and listen to their concerns to see if he can put those concerns to rest,” Jones (Newburyport City Councilor Tom Jones ) said. “I think he would find the people of Newburyport to be very welcoming to that…”

He (Newburyport City Councilor Tom Jones) said it is better to work with residents at the start than fighting them throughout…” (Newburyport Daily News, January 30, 2008, “Karp planning first visit to Port to introduce development team,” by Stephen Tait)

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

(Editor’s Note: Gillian Swart in the Newburyport Current, reported on February 7, 2008, that Stephen Karp will be in Newburyport, MA, Thursday, March 13, 2008, at a public forum–time and place to be determined.)

As I mentioned in the previous post, I’ve been reading a fascinating book by Dana Thomas, called “Deluxe, How Luxury Lost Its Luster,” how high end luxury brands, have become globalized, ” and “lost their luster,” and available to the “masses.”

The book “Deluxe,” explains how high-end luxury retail would now be available to developers like New England Development, Mr. Karp, whereas in earlier decades, that would not have been a choice that would have been obtainable.

(As a btw, Tom Salemi on his blog Newburyport Posts has a good list of articles and references to Stephen Karp.)

And the book also explains why “luxury” brands now have the possibility of being an emphasis in retail, whereas it would not have been possible a decade ago.

I was taking a look at the website of one of New England Development’s recent, in the works projects, “Wisconsin Place,” a mixed-use, lifestyle center in Chevy Chase, MD. Chevy Chase, MD is described as “one of the region’s most affluent and discriminating neighborhoods, “synonymous with well-heeled affluence.” And the project does include “a cluster” of very high-end retailers, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Tiffany & Co and Bloomingdale’s.

This appears to be a different emphasis from the retail in the CambridgeSide Galleria, across the river from Boston, one of New England Development’s earlier projects. The retail there, having more what I think of as traditional mall stores, Best Buy, Macy’s, Sears, etc.

I’m not sure what this all means. It’s hard to imagine that we would see Tiffany & Co in Newburyport, MA. Would Newburyport ever be synonymous with that kind of “well-heeled affluence?” Difficult for me to imagine.

Not an emphasis apparently on the low to mid-market. But what the “high-end” of high-end homogenization would it be? For New England Development, is Newburyport a “diamond in the rough,” or do we all ready have enough innate glitter and only need a little “buffing” here and there.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

I remember when rooting around in the Archives at the Newburyport Public Library coming across a beautiful winter scene. But for the life of me, I do not remember where in the Newburyport Archival Center online I had seen it.

But then, eureka, it is discovered once again.

And yes, the historic photograph most certainly is charming and captures not only the feel of Newburyport, for goodness sakes how many years ago, but also, in my mind, the charm and feel of Newburyport’s neighborhoods today.

Fruit Street, Looking up towards High Street
Courtesy of the Newburyport Archival Center
The Newburyport Public Library

And one of the reasons Fruit Street has a similar feel in the year 2007, is because the architecture of the street is basically the same. And a lot of that would be due to just plain “dumb luck,” since The National Architectural Trust says that we have lost one third of our historic housing stock since 1984. But, Fruit Street is now the one street in Newburyport, MA that is protected. Because this year Fruit Street became Newburyport, MA’s first Local Historic District.

Detail, Fruit Street, Looking up towards High Street
Courtesy of the Newburyport Archival Center
The Newburyport Public Library

And looking at the photograph closer, I enjoy the horse and buggy (yet another horse and buggy) coming down Fruit Street, the little boy at the side, and what looks like folks shoveling (no snow blowers here) further up the street. And I wonder, how in the world back then did they plow the streets. I have no idea.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

One of my frustrations, although it is interesting, is that there seems to be a pattern, that with new influx of folks, that there is often a push for the goals for Newburyport to change.

One of the things I like about the Newburyport Master Plan is it’s supposed to be a long term guide that was developed in a super-duper democratic process. And to repeat myself (see previous post), folks like John Moak, Ann Lagasse and Jim Stiles contributed to the Master Plan’s existence. And it was voted on by the Newburyport City Council to boot.

One of the things the Master Plan assumes is that Newburyport’s Central Waterfront would be mostly park, and that parking would be found somewhere else.

I understand Mayor John Moak’s frustration of wanting to get the parking thing done once and for all. But aside from the fact that it goes against all the surveys from the Newburyport Redevelopment Authority since 2000, it also goes against the tenet of the Newburyport Master Plan.

And all this chit chat about having more development down on the Central Waterfront. Well that is addressed in the Newburyport Master Plan as well. The answer is “No.”

I hear rumblings of municipal politicians wanting to “redo” the Master Plan.

Yes, the Newburyport Master Plan is a “living document.” And I do understand that folks who have moved here since 2001 might not be aware of the Newburyport Master Plan.

But, good grief, can’t we make up our mind to stick with a decision/guide and just get on with it?

It may not be perfect. Nothing is perfect. But if we as a city want to change our municipal goals every 2-5 years, how frustrating and exhausting.

And maybe, it could be a good idea to trust the judgment and the wisdom of a huge diverse number of folks who came up with the Newburyport Master Plan, even though everyone might not agree with everything that could be in there. That document is as close to a consensus as I have seen in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

For those who are really, really interested, the Newburyport Master Plan can be found at:
http://www.cityofnewburyport.com/Master%20Plan.pdf.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

When the Newburyport Master Plan was taking shape, I gotta admit that I didn’t get it, or sadly, appreciate its value to the community of Newburyport, MA.

I sure do now.

And one of the remarkable things about the Newburyport Master Plan is the wide variety of folks who contributed to it, including, among many others, Ann Lagasee, John Moak and Jim Stiles.

The Newburyport Master Plan is dated September 2001, but as I remember it, the document took a good year and a half to come together.

And one of the things that I find so interesting, as Newburyport, MA evolves, is that new influxes of folks have differing ideas. This seems to have been true ever since I moved here more than 25 years ago.

I happen to think that the Newburyport Master Plan is an incredible document, one to be used as an overall guide. And is as applicable today as it was in September 2001.

In the year 2000 when the Newburyport Master Plan was taking shape, Newburyport, MA seemed to be at a “place” where it was “balanced,” politically and in its socio-economic make up, which the Master Plan reflects.

And there were a lot of amazingly smart and thoughtful people involved in the Master Plan’s creation.

It was also pre-Karp and pre-New England Development.

Two of its “Guiding Principles” are:

Economic Vitality: “Ensure that growth is balanced and measured….”

Social Equity: “Foster and respect Newburyport’s socioeconomic diversity, giving consideration to the needs of lower-income and fixed-income residents.” (Page 7)

And on the previous page:

“The City’s traditional neighborhoods around the central core will continue to be revitalized, while preserving the diversity that makes them interesting and inviting places to live–a diversity of people as well as of physical structures.” (Page 6)

And one of the themes of the pre-Karp Newburyport Master Plan is an emphasis on economic diversity to make Newburyport “interesting and inviting.”

And when it comes to the Merrimac River itself, there is no mention of high-end marinas. Instead the emphasis is to, “Reinvigorate marine industries such as commercial fishing and boat building and repair.” (Page 28)

“High-End Homogenization” (see two previous entries) appears to be to me the antithesis of the Newburyport Master Plan.

One could argue that the values of the Master Plan would not be applicable to businesses. But I would feel that since a land-holder of New England Development’s magnitude would effect the future of Newburyport, MA physically, economically, socially and environmentally, that that it would be a good idea to take the Newburyport Master Plan into consideration, when making any economic plans for Newburyport, MA.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

One of the things that popped into my brain when I was thinking about Mr. Karp and “High-End Homogenization” (see previous post) was what the Massachusetts Highway Department had in mind in 1998 for High Street, our historic byway.

“Making High Street as straight and uniform as possible from one end of the city to the other.” (Citizens to Save High Street, January 1999)

And good old Microsoft Word’s definition of “homogeneous” again: “Having a uniform composition or structure.”

The idea of making High Street, with all its beauty, charm, and historic qualities, “uniform” enraged the citizens of Newburyport, MA in 1999, to the point where the city was unified in their fight for the historic roadway, the gateway to our small New England City.

Part of the outrage was that MassHighway’s plan would have wiped out part of the story of Newburyport, Massachusetts. Would have wiped out the small incremental things that had evolved over the centuries, that made High Street unique.

Wouldn’t we as citizens be equally outraged by an economic “high -end homogenization” of downtown Newburyport by yet another “outsider,” who would be imposing a business plan for Newburyport, without the input, much less the blessing of its citizens?

Yes, I realize that Mr. Karp and New England Development have paid millions of dollars for the downtown and waterfront property, so in some way “it’s out of our hands,” and “none of our business.” But, one could argue that a change to a community of that magnitude, would be very much “our business.”

The change to downtown Newburyport appears to be happening not in one fell swoop. We could see the plans for High Street, and realize the long term implication.

The change to downtown Newburyport appears to be much more subtle, happening slowly and incrementally. My remembrance is that New England Development has always been very upfront about this approach, never saying that the development of Waterfront West (and now Waterfront East) would be done all at once, but more likely over a period of 10 years or so.

But in someway having an overall plan to see, would be much more beneficial to the citizens of Newburyport, MA, than an incremental development, where one does not have the privilege of seeing, right off the bat, a “master plan.”

But we still have the option, before it is too late, of an economic overlay for downtown Newburyport, MA. And again, it is a matter of “political will.”

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

One of the readers of the Newburyport Blog sent me a fascinating email in response to the previous post and the label “vanillaization” of Newburyport by Mr. Karp and New England Development.

The phrase my reader used, was “high-end homogenization.”

Oh my. Talking about nailing it.

Wow.

I looked up homogeneous in the dictionary and got this from Microsoft Word: “Having a uniform composition or structure.” And, “All of the same or similar kind or nature,” from wordnet.princeton.edu.

Thinking about our downtown, one could certainly see this trend possibly on its way.

So the issue really isn’t, in many ways, about chain stores or not to chain store, but do we as people living (not visiting) Newburyport, MA want “High-End Homogenization” dictated by Mr. Karp and New England Development?

For me arguments for non-regulation, whoever’s got the best stuff to offer floats to the surface, yada, yada, yada (yes, I’m sure that could piss a few folks off) would be quite beside the point.

To me, this could be a power and control thing over our city, the city of Newburyport, MA, with someone, some entity, with enough money to go there. Boy, I don’t know about you, but the power and control thing just doesn’t sit well with me.

An argument could be that the “High-End Homogenization” would be “classy.”

Well, there you go. “Classy.” “Class” in the old sense–money and class. “A group of people within a society who share the same social and economic status; the structure of divisions in a society determined by the social or economic grouping of its members” (Good old Microsoft Word again).

And it really, for me, doesn’t have anything to do with either being sophisticated or tacky. It has every thing to do with being exclusive. My guess would be that different but equal socio-economic groups might not be wanted here.

I think that is what BuyLocal/supportNbpt.org is attempting to address. And since they are the only ones out there willing to take this fairly courageous stand, those who do not want the specter of “High-End Homogenization,” well, yes, it’s a matter of “political will.”

As I understand it, the thought could be that the Newburyport Planning Board might be a way to begin to address this issue. And since much of the research has already been done, I would imagine that the Newburyport Planning Board would look at this slowly and with care. We are often very lucky with the volunteer boards that we have in Newburyport, MA.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Maybe a chain store “ban” might not be adequate phraseology. Maybe an economic overlay for downtown Newburyport that addresses negative chain store issues… possibly?

I think when some folks think of a chain store “ban,” a vision of a Walmart on the Central Waterfront could come to mind. And I don’t think anyone would want to go there. So, the thought process might be that a “ban” would not be necessary.

Buy Local/SupportNbpt.org has thought all of this through.

Tom Salemi over at the Newburyport Posts has some major doubts (as I imagine a few others do too). Check out the Newburyport Posts for Tom Salemi’s pro-chain store thoughts.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Why are the Buy Local, SupportNbpt.org folks so important? Because they are fighting for the retail and economic spirit and soul of Newburyport, MA.

It is what Steven Tait wrote about in his article in the Newburyport Daily News, December 3, 2007.

“Whatever product lines they (Chico’s) bring in they are going to be in competition with existing businesses we have in town, for instance the Monkey’s Fist and the Elephant’s Trunk,” said Allyson Lawless, the founder of www.supportNBPT.org, the group that submitted a chain store ban ordinance to the City Council earlier this year.

Unless there is some real oversight we will lose our independent businesses by introducing chain stores like this…”

“Lawless said the concern from chain stores is that they will muscle out the small, independent stores. She said that it will also hurt the local economy. Studies show that for every dollar spent at local stores, 60 to 70 cents stays in the community, whereas with large chain stores just 11 to 15 cents stays locally, Lawless said.

She said that all the other local businesses - such as legal, financial and supply companies - will also be hurt by chain stores.

“All those people are going to be affected,” he said. “Chico’s is not going to be banking at the Institution or the Newburyport Five.”
(Newburyport Daily News, December 3, 2007, by Steven Tait)

Are we powerless over all of this? No we are not. I think that there has been some frustration that there has not been enough traction to get people focused now on some sort of economic overlay for downtown Newburyport, MA that comes from the people via our own municipal agents.

As things stand, the economic overlay for Newburyport, MA appears to be being fostered by New England Development. Is this what we as citizens and residence of Newburyport, MA would like?

Some would be quite happy with that particular overview. But I know for a fact, that a whole lot of folks would not. But if those folks don’t get their rear into gear now, well, who knows.

And if you are one of those folks who wants desperately to get their rear into gear and do not know where to start, by all means contact the Buy Local folks, supportnbpt.org. As far as I understand it, everything is good to go. It’s just a matter of “political will.”

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

I remember when Atkinson Lumber was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Lagasse. It was beautifully restored. But any number of folks said to me, “It’s almost too nice.”

And what did they mean by that? Atkinson Lumber was a wonderful, space, that was available to all economic groups. There was something about the unfinished wood floors and the hustle and bustle of the place that always drew me in, and would be one of my favorite places to go in Newburyport, MA.

I rarely, if ever, set foot in the restored version of the Atkinson building.

I thought the Atkinson building restoration would be an anomaly. I couldn’t imagine that anyone would want to do away with the spirit and soul of a place.

But the high-end business plan for the Atkinson building seems to be holding true, whether it would be Mr. and Mrs. Lagasse or New England Development.

And the high-end spa that is coming, may come, or has come to town, slated for 1 Merrimac Street… 1 Merrimac Street to my knowledge is not owned by New England Development, but in someway it doesn’t matter. New England Development is setting and has set the tone for retail in Newburyport, MA.

I’ve been thinking why this whole Chico’s thing, the shoe shop on State and Middle Street thing, and the luxury high-end spa thing makes me so cranky.

It seems as if Newburyport is being turned, quickly, into just the sort of place I never wanted to live in.

One of the reason’s I’ve loved living here all these years is the wonderful and often eccentric mix of people. But a different socio-economic mix and often eccentric mix of folks, possibly not so good for a high-end business plan.

Possibly good for some high-end folks.

I often read that during the last 7 years, that there has been a steady divide in the wealthy and the less wealthy. And what if Newburyport ends up epitomizing that very thing?

Looking at New England Development’s website, it doesn’t outright say so, but if feels as if it could be very much implied, that Newburyport, MA is an already a ready-build, “life-style” center, with “Fifty top retail properties in downtown Newburyport and along the waterfront,” just waiting to be filled.

I can understand the folks who went through those terrible, terrible years before the 1970’s Newburyport turnaround, that having the possibility of the super rich living in Newburyport, however unimaginable that could be, would be far preferable to the boarded up, wasteland Newburyport once was before urban renewal.

Newburyport’s spirit and soul were in danger then. At the brink (or beyond the brink) of Karpdom, is Newburyport’s soul and spirit in danger once again? Once due to paucity, now possibly due to extreme wealth? Polar extremes.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

This is my new theory on the plan that Mr. Karp and New England Development could have in mind.

It popped into my brain when I started reading about the very high-end European spa that is coming, may come, or has come to town. (See previous post.)

Maybe I’m too Yankee cheap, but I can’t see paying that kind of money for a haircut.

Question from a friend of mine–what kind of person would use that kind of very high-end salon?

Not a lot of the folks who live in Newburyport, MA, that’s for sure (at least I think that’s for sure).

High-end tourists. Or possibly, have the high-end shops in place and then use the high-end shopping, resort feel of the “new,” life-style, Newburyport, MA, to attract very high-end buyers for very, very high-end places to either live in or to visit. Not a bad business plan, if business and not community is what one might have in mind.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Oy Vey.

Chico’s chain store… good story in the Newburyport Daily News, December 3, 2007, by Steven Tait. “982 women’s specialty stores under Chico’s and other names in 48 states… it sells clothing for ’sophisticated women.’ The store’s products are marketed toward middle-age woman…”

This is from an earlier post on the Newburyport Blog, “…New England Development (NED) is thinking of stuff like the store on Middle and State Streets—’independently owned or small-chain outfits that offer something that complements, not detracts from, the existing retail mix of downtown….’”

Obviously Chico’s doesn’t fit that description.

And someone told me of a “high-end” salon coming to Newburyport, MA. I can’t figure if the salon is up and running, it’s snowing, and I’m too lazy to go out and take a look.

The address for the new salon is 1 Merrimack Street, Newburyport, MA–supposed to have opened November 2007. It’s December 2007. The phone number that was given was not working, and I could not reach anyone at the Boston location, 11 Newbury Street.

The person who told me about this salon said that a haircut would cost $100.

(Disclaimer: I’m probably the only woman in Newburyport, MA who is not a salon person. )

$100 seemed high to me.

I found this review at insiderpages.com

“Dress to Impress!
By Carolyn C.

Runway is a great salon if you are willing to pay approximately $100 for a simple haircut. The salon is extremely trendy with a European feel. The receptionists are extremely friendly and cater to your every need. The clients tend to be dressed to the nines for their hair appointment and that makes the scene a little intimidating.
Although it is extremely expensive, this salon is truly a luxurious treat! Just make sure you are dressed to impress when you go in….”

(There were more reviews along that line.)

On boston.citysearch.com:

“Always a fashion leader, Runway Salon is the only true European salon in Boston. Recently featured on TLC’s “A Makeover Story”…”

High-end is Ok. But only high-end, not so good in my book.

Sigh.

I have no idea (not being a salon person) if this salon would be the sort of business that “complements, not detracts from, the existing retail mix of downtown.”

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

The mood on the Newburyport City Council floor on Monday night October 29, 2007 was, I would say, jovial from the get go– the night that the Fruit Street Local Historic District came up for its final vote.

Often when major decisions are made, the mood on the Newburyport City Council floor could sometimes be tense. On the night the vote for the special election for the Newburyport school override, it felt as if the whole place could be on edge.

But not last night. Last night was a whole different story.

During the “Public Comment” period, a lot of folks spoke on behalf of the Fruit Street Local Historic District, and not the usually faces. And sometimes, for me, the “Public Comment” period is not my favorite part to watch. It often feels painful.

But not last night.

The Newburyport City Council seemed to be genuinely moved by the folks that spoke during the “Public Comment” period.

Karen Battles of the Newburyport Preservation Trust had this to say:

“One of the delights of living here is walking through neighborhood after neighborhood of historic homes. Maybe because we are surrounded by it everyday, we don’t grasp how unbelievably rare this is in this day and age. As more and more places become cookie-cutter subdivisions and the same franchise appears every other block, the authentic becomes more and more valuable. We are the currents stewards of Newburyport, we have not only the right, but the obligation to protect our resources.” (Used with permission)

There was also a great deal of laughter and kidding around. This is not always the case.

And when it came to the vote on the Newburyport City Council floor, Newburyport City Councilor James Shanley spoke most eloquently. And you could almost hear people holding their breath as Richard Jones, the Newburyport City Clerk, called the roll.

And when the vote was not only in favor of the Fruit Street Local Historic District, but was unanimous, applause and cheers spontaneously broke out. A lot of jumping up and down with sheer relief and joy.

This is an example of a project that has taken decades to come about. And the actual creation of the Newburyport Fruit Street Local Historic District took a lot of time (2 years), with a great deal of public input and public process. There were no shortcuts here. And, from what I observed, there was also a great deal of dialogue with the Newburyport City Council and the Mayor as well.

And this combination of productive public process and constructive public dialogue made for a win-win situation, instead of public divisiveness that could occur over a variety of issues.

This whole process is an incredible example of how to get positive things accomplished on the municipal level. And again a big congratulations to everyone involved.

And again (see previous post) this Newburyport City Council 2006-2007 has come so far in working together and working for the good of the citizens of Newburyport, MA, and I am so proud of them. And not to repeat myself, but to repeat myself, I cannot fathom why anyone would say that that would not be so.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Tonight, October 29, 2007, the Newburyport City Council passed the Fruit Street Local Historic District unanimously.

Whew.

I am really proud of this Newburyport City Council. This is an historic moment and they can be very, very proud.

It has taken many, many decades for Newburyport to take this very important step towards protecting our historic assets, something that is so vital to the future of Newburyport, MA.

And I take great exception to 2 candidates running for Newburyport City Councilor at Large, saying that this particular Newburyport City Council either “does not work with the mayor,” or “works against the mayor.”

Excuse me.

This is an incredible example of the mayor and the Newburyport City Council working together for what is best for the city of Newburyport, MA.

And this is also an example of people meeting in the middle and building bridges. I am sure “historic preservationist purists” would have liked a much stronger version of the ordinance than what was passed. And I’m sure that “building rights” folks would have liked to have seen no Fruit Street Local Historic District at all.

But this version of a Local Historic District (LHD) is “Local Historic District light.”

Not too strict and not non-existent. But just right.

Its goal is to be stewards of our historic heritage without being anything close to being tyrants. And the committee that worked so hard for over almost 2 years has my deepest “Thank You.”

A job well done and a great deal of credit to all sorts of deserving folks, including the Newburyport Historical Commission, the Newburyport Office of Planning and Development, the Historical Society of Old Newbury and the Newburyport Preservation Trust. As well as the residents of Fruit Street for setting this amazing example for the citizens of Newburyport, MA.

Mary Eaton
Newburyort

The fact that the money recommended by the Community Preservation Act (CPA) for an expert to help the study group, for a possible formation of a Newburyport historic district, only squeaked by the Newburyport City Council (Newburyport Daily News, August 14, 2007) by 6 votes, is enough to almost give this blogger the “vapors.”

Hello.

This is a HUGE job for the study group, looking at all the possibilities for creating a possible historic district for Newburyport.

This is a gigantic job, mandated by state guidelines. It isn’t, “Well maybe we’ll propose this. What do you all think?”

NO, it’s a whole lot more complicated than that.

Think of it as a group of early settlers in Pennsylvania who are being told to get to California, and let everyone know what happens to be in between. And by the way, no one has ever made this journey before, except for a couple of people who really know what they are doing.

But guess what? Those guides, those experts, who have been across this terrain, well, whoops, you don’t get to talk to them, much less let them help you figure out how to arrive, and explain what all the possibilities are that may be out there.

No, go figure it out yourself. Hope you make it beyond the first mile.

Good grief.

If the Newburyport City Council hadn’t passed the money for an expert or a guide at this initial stage of the journey, one of the members of the study group would have had to get a PhD, just to figure out what to do next, it’s that complicated.

Now, I kid a lot about needing a PhD for various stuff, but I’m serious here. Someone really would actually needed to have a PhD to understand what to do next.

I had no idea that the vote was going to be that close. Good grief.

We desperately need to protect our historic assets. What’s left. The The National Architectural Trust says we have lost one third of our historic housing stock since 1984. Believe me, we won’t have many historic assets left, if this “economic emergency” isn’t addressed in some sort of timely fashion. (Making one of the study group get a PhD does not qualify as in a “timely fashion.”)

And the Newburyport City Council almost stopped the whole thing right in its tracks on Monday night, August 13, 2007.

Enough to give this Newburyport Blogger the proverbial possible vapors. Geesh.

Please press here to read one of the entries on the Newburyport District Study Committee.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Boy oh boy, are the frogs ever excited, jumping up and rolling all over the place.

George Cushing of Frog Pond at the Bartlet Mall, the political consultant to the Newburyport Blog is giving the Newburyport Current the big “thumbs-up.”

George Cushing giving
the Newburyport Current the “thumbs-up”

Yes, someone has connected the dots about the revamping of 87 High Street and what this could mean for Newburyport, Massachusetts.

To quote from the Newburyport Current, July 20, 2007, Undercurrents by Donna O’Neil:

“We can see it now, a bus rolls through town offering stops at the homes of Hollywood celebs–Newburyport locations, The guide armed with a megaphone that can be heard for miles squawks, ‘First stop 87 High Street…’

What other celebrities will find our hidden gem…”

Any number of readers of the Newburyport Blog have asked me, “Newburyport has had famous people who have lived here before or live here now, what’s wrong with having Peter Tolan in Newburyport, Massachusetts?”

This is what yours truly does not want. The editor of the Newburyport Blog does not want “revamping” of historic properties in Newburyport, MA (especially on Historic High Street, good grief) by folks who are only going to use the place for brief visits.

The “revamping” of 87 High Street in its present form would raise a few eyebrows anyway. But the fact that the folks who are using such a visible and significant home for a “second residence” is of concern to this blogger.

It could mean that the buyers might NOT become an intricate part of the community (they are probably involved in their home town Montecito CA, already, the city listed on salemdeeds.com as their primary residence).

Very possibly there could be little or no community involvement (aside from paying tons of taxes, which we as residents would applaud). Possibly not having the time to understand the community, its culture and its needs.

Would “second resident” owners of with money of this magnitude become involved in local projects?? Use local banks?? (They didn’t for the mortgage -salemdeeds.com)

It feels a little bit like having a “residential” chain store. Looks flashy, but might not return much to the community in terms of human commitment and local moola.

So “thank you” Newburyport Current and Donna O’Neil. And hopefully it could never get to the point where there would be celebrity tour buses and bull horns in Newburyport, MA.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

An article in the Boston Globe, July 5, 2007 by Kay Lazar and Matt Carroll, talks about the possible “crowed future” and possible “shrinking space” in the suburban communities north of Boston, MA.

Suburban sprawl, due to lousy zoning laws, is predicted to spread like permanent poison ivy across Massachusetts’ North Shore, unless the principals of “smart growth” are adopted.

The possible loss of some 400 acres in, count ‘em, 14 communities.

But you know which community is NOT listed among that august list? Yes, you guessed it, Newburyport, MA.

And why? It is because we had a planning director who was highly focused on “smart growth” for Newburyport, MA. And yes indeedy, we have cluster zoning, the zoning that is “smart” because it does its darnest to preserve “open space” and not have any more sprawl like Cherry Hill, that looks like suburban sprawl in places like Wellesley (no offense Cherry Hill or Wellesley).

And this brings me back again, I guess, to the politics and peccadillo thing.

Our former Planning Director, Nick Cracknell.

Many in Newburyport, MA believe Mr. Cracknell has peccadilloes that sprout up like porcupine quills. I believe our current mayor, Mayor John Moak, said to Mr. Cracknell in a location where all sorts for folks overheard, that Mr. Moak had “contempt” for Mr. Cracknell. (Many of us suspected there for a long time that John Moak seemed to feel Mr. Cracknell was chock full of peccadilloes.)

And anyone who has hung out with Mr. Cracknell for a bit, might see a Cracknellean possible peccadillo springing up here or there.

Ah, but when you have an exceptional planning problem solver, does one overlook those pesky possible peccadilloes?

We would be on that list in the Boston Globe and it would be a list of 15 communities not 14 if it had not been for Mr. Cracknell’s whirling energy and determination that Newburyport, MA change is unfortunate zoning ways.

So in looking back, we could owe Mr. Cracknell quite a bit, as a result of his virtuoso, zoning talent.

This brings me to my blogging quandary. When, political-wise, could political peccadilloes be overruled, excused, condoned?

Maybe when a gifted individual comes along that transcends mediocrity, peccadilloes could be overlooked, just as long as they are just idiosyncratic peccadilloes, for the long term greater good of the community of Newburyport, MA.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

One of my favorite scenes in the movie “Chicago” is towards the end of the film where Richard Gere is in court, his client “Roxie” is in trouble, and he does this incredible, frenetic tap dance, literally, and to get his client free.

That’s a little bit of how I feel about where we as a city are with the issue of the Local Historic District.

Monday night, June 11, 2007 the Newburyport City Council passed on the first reading the members (including soon to be ex-Newburyport Planning Board member, Doug Locy) appointed by Mayor John Moak, to the Local Historic District study group.

Tapetty, tap, tap.

Whew. Now, the final reading to get through.

Tap, tap.

And there are blasts by “property rights owner” advocates against having their property rights violated.

Tapety, tap, tap, tap.

The Local Historic District study group is just the beginning of a long process towards exploring whether or not to have some, part or parts of Newburyport, MA be designated a Local Historic District.

Tap.

The process of all of this, including who goes on the study group (an architect and a realtor at least) is set in stone by the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This is no fly by night process.

Tapety, tap, tap, tap.

To property rights advocates. Get over it.

Tap.

You live in one of the most historically significant small cities in the US of A.

Tap.

The National Architectural Trust has said that Newburyport, MA has lost one third of its historic assets since 1984.

Tap, tap.

If you do not want to be a steward of something a whole lot bigger than you are, an historic city, then go somewhere where historic assets are not endangered.

Tap.

So those of us who care about preserving what is left of our town could have the opportunity of being stewards of this amazing place, whether we’ve lived here all our lives or just arrived here, or something in between.

Tappety, tap.

And no, a Local Historic District does not have to be onerous. It could be Local Historic District light. And the people on the Local Historic District study group are all A+ people, who are supper sensitive to how people feel about this issue.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Mayor John Moak has informed Doug Locy that he would not be reappointed to the Newburyport Planning Board.

Oy Vey.

And Mr. Locy is taking it like the “gent” (gentleman) that he is.

I emailed Doug when I heard the news and Mr. Locy emailed me back the most gracious of emails. He’s words speak far more eloquently than mine ever could.

“I know folks will speculate and search for other reasons behind his decision. But I’m not going there. Our City is indeed very fortunate if there are in fact five qualified candidates ready to volunteer. Membership requires a great deal of time to serve the City properly. We have eight other dedicated and talented Planning Board members who have demonstrated their willingness to make the necessary sacrifice. I’m confident our City will be well served going forward.”

Doug Locy has been on the Planning Board for 15 years, and it certainly was many folks hope that we as a community would have his wisdom, knowledge and calm, civil but resolute leadership to help us through the Waterfront West and the Little River Village permitting processes. Two very crucial projects for the city of Newburyport, MA.

Although Mr. Locy had spoken out in favor of former planning director, Nick Cracknell (who was let go by Mayor Moak), and worked on Donna Holaday’s campaign (Mayor Moak’s opponent in the 2005 election), Mayor John Moak, in today’s Newburyport Current, June 1, 2007, says he does not feel that this is a “political” decision. Dan Bowie and Jeff Roelofs, who have been critical of Mr. Moak in the past, have both been reappointed to the Planning Board. And Mayor John Moak is also going to reappoint Bonnie Sontag, a former Holaday supporter and campaign worker.

I wish that Mayor Moak had made the decision to keep on Mr. Locy. But as Doug Locy pointed out in the email that I was sent, it is the mayor’s “prerogative to cast City boards and commissions with appointments that best reflect his views.”

Mary Eaton
Newburyport