Category Archives: Newburyport

The city of Newburyport, MA, the small, coastal city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, 35 miles northeast of Boston.

Demolition of Downtown Newburyport

The buildings next to the Five Cents Savings Bank in downtown Newburport that were demolished in 1972 to make way for a drive though addition.

The buildings next to the Five Cents Savings Bank in downtown Newburport that were demolished by the bank in 1972 to make way for a drive-in addition. (Courtesy of the Archives at the Newburyport Public Library)

The photo from July 1972 from the Archives of the Newburyport Public Library shows old, historic buildings next to The Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank. The archive also says that those old, historic buildings next to the bank on State Street were purchased by the The Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank, and that the bank planned to demolish the buildings and construct a drive-in addition, with the entrances and exits from Temple Street and Charter Street.

And in 1984 The Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank put up a very contemporary addition in place of those historic, old buildings.

In 1972 Newburyport had “turned the corner” and the brakes were put on the demolition of downtown Newburyport. But, one of our most beloved institutions, that has done so much for this community, and that has so many wonderful folks working there, tore down part of historic downtown in 1972.

The thinking had not completely changed. Old buildings, still in so many minds, meant economic stagnation, and the new contemporary architecture implied economic vitality and a bright new future.

The contemporary addition by the Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank that replace the old, historic buildings in downtown Newburyport (see above photo).

And part of it was the times. The aesthetic back then was to combine the old architecture with new modern architecture. The Inn Street fountain, its modern sculpture (which I happen to love) in an historic setting, is an example of combining the old with the new.

But I look at the buildings in the photograph from the Newburyport Public Library and I ache when I see those old buildings now gone forever.

And as I said in an earlier post, the trend to demolish old buildings continued for The Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank, which demolished One Temple Street in 2006, a few years ago, and put up a contemporary addition in its place.

And, it’s just a guess, but one wonders if such a fuss wasn’t made by the community over the demolition of One Temple Street, whether there would be a reminder of what once stood there, a replica of the old facade of the historic building.

So, to sound like one heck of a squeaky record, don’t think that downtown Newburyport is safe from demolition or unwanted alterations. We need that insurance policy, a Local Historic District (LHD) in the worst way.

(If you download the top image, would you please give the Archival Center at the Newburyport Public Library and the Newburyport Blog credit. Thank you.)

Protecting Downtown Newburyport

Downtown Newburyport being destroyed in 1968. (Photo courtesy of the Newburyport Public Library)

On The Newburyport Blog’s Facebook page I put up an album of the photos I took from the Archival Center at the Newburyport LIbrary of Newburyport from 1967-1974, the time of Newburyport’s Urban Renewal.

The photos are so shocking to me, what we lost back then and what we almost lost.

People think it couldn’t possibly happen again, no need to protect our historic assets.

But tastes change. In 1967, and it wasn’t just Newburyport, people felt that old buildings, historic old buildings, were a symbol of economic stagnation and economic collapse. The favored architecture of the time was minimalist, low to the ground, “modern.” It symbolized economic rebirth, economic vitality.

Right now we appreciate our historic buildings, but taste in what makes small cities vibrant change. We need to protect downtown Newburyport. It was almost destroyed once, it can happen again. We’ve come too far not to have an “insurance policy” on all that we have accomplished. The greatest protection for downtown Newburyport for us and for future generations is a Local Historic District (LHD).

Modern architecture favored in the 1960's

The kind of modern architecture favored at the time of Newburyport's Urban Renewal

I love really good modern architecture. It’s actually one of my passions. I just don’t happen to think that it’s right for this place, for Newburyport. And it’s almost what the entire downtown of Newburyport would have looked like (we came so close).

(If you download the image at the top would you please give The Archival Center at The Newburyport Public Library and The Newburyport Blog credit. Thank you.)

Video on Newburyport’s Urban Renewal-a “Must See”

I hope that this video by Lawrence Rosenblum on what the city looked like before Urban Renewal and after, made in 1975, goes viral. Tom Salemi over at Newburyport Posts put it up on his blog and it’s beginning to show up on places on Facebook.

One of the cool things is that because it is on video, you can jump around the film and go back and look at the parts that interest you.

It makes what happened to us “visceral.”

Here’s a quote from the Newburyport Daily News, November 26, 2007, “A city’s ‘character’ changed for good.”

“In late 1975, Newburyporters gathered to see themselves on the big screen. Filmmaker Larry Rosenblum had finished his three-year-long project, “A Measure of Change,” a half-hour documentary that explored the city’s battle to stop the federal bulldozer.

“The film may be a catalyst as well as a piece of Yankee advice, ‘look before you leap,'” The Daily News stated in a film critique.

Within a few months, the film was getting international attention. It won several awards and was selected as the U.S. entry at urban planning conferences in Stockholm and Leningrad (now St. Petersburg).

Suddenly, the little old seaport was exporting to the world again. This time it wasn’t goods, it was a concept: historic preservation and revitalization.”

Yes, people come here because of Newburyport’s “historic preservation and revitalization.”

Urban Renewal

Newburyport, We’ve Come a Long Way!

This is a film that about Newburyport made in 1975 that’s been around for a long time, but it’s the first time that I’ve seen it in video for the Web. It’s about the story of Newburyport’s Urban Renewal (and we have come a long, long way). The film was made by Lawrence Rosenblum (Vision, Inc. and Urbanimage Corp.) and is called, “Newburyport: A Measure of Change” and the video runs about 30 minutes.

You’ll see lots of friends, Sue Little (Jabberwocky Bookstore), Tom Kolterjahn, John (Hacky) Pramberg (former president of the Institution for Savings) and others (all much younger)! It’s very cool!

Link to Newburyport: A Measure of Change-video about Newburyport’s Urban Renewal

The link to Newburyport: A Measure of Change.

Archival Center at the Newburyport Public Library

Demolition on Inn Street courtesy of the Newburyport Public Library

Today, with a tip from Jerry Mullins, I visited the Archival Center at the Newburyport Public Library where I found the archives from 1967-1974, HUD, the NRA and Newburyport’s Urban Renewal. (All the photos are courtesy of the Archival Center at the Newburyport Public Library.)

I took a ton of photos and I often included the captions and some of the text.

You can find the entire album of photos on (the new) Newburyport Blog’s Facebook page. You can see the entire album here.

Now one can comment on posts on The Newburyport Blog. I am not good with comments, hence no comments on The Newburyport Blog, but I am looking for help from my fellow bloggers Tom Salemi over at the Newburyport Posts and Newburyport City Councilor Ari Herzog who are masters of the whole comment thing.

(If you download the image would you please give The Archival Center at The Newburyport Public Library and The Newburyport Blog credit. Thank you.)

Newburyport, Stuff Disappears, One Temple Street

One Temple Street, courtesy of the City of Newburyport, with the clapboard building next door, also demolished.

When I talk to folks about buildings disappearing in Newburyport, what I often hear is that doesn’t happen anymore.

Well, actually it does.

And it disappears these days. (Our buildings need to be protected-hence a Local Historic District, LHD.)

To start with one of the most wild ones, at least to me, would be downtown Newburyport, One Temple Street. Doesn’t exist today. Torn down by one of our most beloved institutions. An institution inhabited-run by great folks. An institution that has done unbelievably wonderful things for our community, demolished an historic building in downtown Newburyport (I believe it was 2006, maybe 2007). Our very own Five Cents Savings Bank.

If these good folks can tear down an historic building (yes, I went to all the hearings), one would think just about anybody could. And we don’t need protection in the form of a Local Historic District in downtown Newburyport? Oh, good grief.

One Temple Street, courtesy of the City of Newburyport, later photo, without the clapboard building next door.

One Temple Street dated to the early 19th century and was erected as an addition to Wolfe Tavern. The building wasn’t just left to rot. According to the City of Newburyport, in 1972 (Newburyport’s Urban Renwal) the building was rehabilitated, and was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Puriington of Byfield (this is on the historic surveys).

The City of Newburyport has two photographs of One Temple Street that I could find. An earlier photo that contains another clapboard building that was also demolished. And a photograph of One Temple Street later on without that building.

The replica of the facade of One Temple Street that exists as part of the Five Cents Savings Bank today, in my mind, just ain’t the same. Good try, but nope, doesn’t cut it.

And if the Five Cents Savings Bank can take down such an important building, folks, in my mind, nothin’s safe.

CVS and the Newburyport Blogosphere

I was massively confused about the zoning stuff and “proposed” CVS at Low Street and Storey Avenue in Newburyport. But my fellow bloggers and the Newburyport blogosphere to the rescue.

Newburyport City Councilor Ed Cameron with some clarification. More clarification by Newburyport City Councilor Bob Cronin. Further clarification by Newburyport City Councilor Ari Herzog. Some very helpful maps by P.Preservationist. And of course, Tom Salemi over at Newburyport Posts has been bloggging his heart out on this one all along.

Party Affiliations in Local Newburyport Politics?

Ok, it’s a little dated. I drew it back in September 2007 for the Newburyport Blog and I’m too lazy to draw another one. Paris Hilton, who?? Probably to be replace by Kim “let’s get divorced” Kardashian. And super-duper cutting coupons (boy, did I get flack for that one), now a major cable TV show. And “poverty,” is that on anyone’s radar anymore??

But the basic premise is the same. So little interest, much less overall civic passion, in our local Newburyport elections/governing stuff.

And it has been a goal of mine to try and make local government in some small way engaging. And, actually, not to brag, but to brag, someone actually told me that they became involved in Newburyport civic involvement because of The Newburyport Blog. I said to myself, “Say what?” But truth be told, a got a little teary, really, at making a difference in just one person’s life.

And I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the Newburyport Republican Committee’s decision, at least for this last election, to actively sponsor and support local Newburyport candidates. And their invitation to vote for 1 or 2 Newburyport City Council At-Large candidates, instead of all 5.

I would say, and I’ve run this by a fair amount of people, that this involvement and suggestion created a certain amount of anxiety in almost all the candidates running this week for Newburyport City Council At-Large, and also some odd version of hostility that I haven’t seen before. In Newburyport City politics, hostility has often been us –vast understatement (we’ve been referred mega times as “Cannibal City” after all), but it’s always been issues, and sometimes, sadly, personalities, but always non-partisan. And in the last few years, things have become more civil, to the point, where one often thinks that the calm almost drove the Undertoad to higher peaks.

This involvement and suggestion by the Newburyport Republican Committee, certainly created some buzz, at least for maybe 5%-1.5% of the Newburyport population. Whether to get party politics overtly involved in Newburyport elections, not illegal, not a crime, but a wise decision for the good of the City of Newburyport? One wonders. And if that decision stays, it will definitely create a new dynamic.

Newburyport Election 2011 Aftermath Enigma

To say that there is some head scratching about yesterday’s Newburyport City Councilor At-Large vote would be an understatement.

Everyone I talked to thought that Barry Connell would come in 1^st and Katy Ives would come in second, and they did. After that there were all kinds of scenarios, but not any of them resembled the finally tally.

Most everyone I talked to thought Larry Giunta was a shoo-in, at least in one of the last three spots. And the fact that he isn’t going to be on the Newburyport Council next year, a head scratcher.

So, today I walked and talked. Some folks thought that it might have been a last minute Letter to the Editor thing that pointed out Mr. Giunta’s affiliation with the Bill Hudak campaign for Congress. (Not a crime to work for a candidate.) Some thought it was the endorsement and involvement by the Newburyport Republican Committee (also not a crime, but something, i.e. party affiliation, that has never been done before in a Newburyport election, really). But as I walked and talked, when I asked people, the response was, “Never heard of him.” And I’m guessing that’s probably the most likely on the money.

Ari Herzog in a strong 3^rd place. A surprise, and I’m sure a pleasant surprise to Mr. Herzog. Ari gets back to folks usually within 15 minutes, or pretty close. And when folks sometimes hear back from Newburyport City Councilors, some more quickly than others, and sometimes never hear back from Newburyport City Councilors at all, this could be refreshing, especially when Mr. Herzog responds whether the constituent votes on a regular basis, or irregular basis or not at all. (I am told, that there have been occasions over the years that an odd Newburyport City Councilor, here or there, might only get back to those who show up to the polls – this, of course, is unconfirmed by moi.)

Ed Cameron coming in 4^th. It appears to me to be another “Never heard of him” thing.

And Dick Sullivan, a lot to be said for name recognition, and being involved in various ways in the local Newburyport political process.

And what I heard over and over again, was that the majority of people in Newburyport, including those who vote, don’t even know that we have Newburyport City Councilors At-Large, what they do, who they are or what they stand for. And unless there was some sort of personal connection on some sort of level, it was just throwing a dart in the dark, something the people I talked to just didn’t want to do.

Newburyport 2011 Election Results

Newburyport City Councilor At-Large

Ed Cameron

Barry Connell

Ari Herzog

Larry Giunta

Steve Hutcheson

Katy O’Connor Ives

Dick Sullivan Jr.

Winners:

Barry Connell

Katy O’Connor Ives

Ari Herzog

Ed Cameron

Dick Sullivan Jr.

The Newburyport Charter:

Yes

Charter passes by more than a 2 to 1 margin.

Newburyport School Committee:

Nick de Kanter

Audrey McCarthy

Peter McClure

Bruce Menin

Winners:

Nick de Kanter

Audrey McCarthy

Bruce Menin

Mayor Donna Holaday re-elected (running unopposed)

Congratulations to all who won and all who ran, and everyone who worked so hard.

Breakdown of the Newburyport City Council At-Large election results, thanks to Ed Cameron (press image to enlarge).

Election Results Nov 2011- Press image to enlarge

Newburyport, Mid-Day Election Report

Low, low voter turnout. When I went to vote at around 10:30 at Ward 2 the number of people who had voted was 163, and that was about what all the other Newburyport Wards were reporting.

I visited all Newburyport voting spots, except Plum Island. And the folks I talked to, who usually call elections on the money – not calling this one.

But for all the candidates who have worked so hard, congratulations, whether you win or lose. You showed up for Newburyport and cared. And as far as I’m concerned, that means a whole lot.

If you haven’t voted and don’t know where to vote, press here. And please read the rest of the Newburyport Blog to get an idea of what is at stake in this very important election.

Globe Article about Newburyport Election, Tuesday November 8, 2011

There is an article in Sunday’s Boston Globe by Brenda J. Buote, about Newburyport’s election this Tuesday, November 8, 2011. It includes information at how important it is to the future of Newburyport’s Local Historic District.

“An informal poll of residents by local blogger Mary Baker Eaton revealed that many voters were unaware of the importance of the upcoming election, even though the winners of Tuesday’s ballot contest will help shape the future of downtown Newburyport.

When the new City Council convenes in January, local leaders will weigh a proposal that would create a Local Historic District, which would protect the downtown area and High Street, the principal gateway to Newburyport and the cornerstone of Newburyport’s Historic District. Named an endangered resource by Preservation Massachusetts, High Street dates to the 17th century. From its humble beginnings as a country road, the city’s signature street has evolved into a socially prominent roadway of national renown. It is home to Newburyport’s only National Historic Landmark, the Caleb Cushing House.

If embraced by city leaders, creation of a Local Historic District would protect the exterior appearance of properties along the 2.48-mile High Street and the commercial downtown between Federal and Winter streets to ensure that any planned changes would not detract from the district’s historic character. The intent is to protect historical architecture and encourage new construction compatible with the surrounding buildings.

Two of the at-large council candidates – Sullivan and Giunta – are opposed to the Local Historic District. The others have voiced support for the concept.” (The other candidates in favor of the Local Historic District (LHD) are Ed Cameron, Barry Connell, Mike Early, Ari Herzog, Steve Hutcheson, Katy O’Connor Ives.)

You can read the whole article here.

Where to Vote in Newburyport, November 8, 2011

If you don’t know where to vote on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 there is a very good link, “My Election Information,” where you can put in your address and zip code, and the website tells you which Newburyport ward you are in and where to go to vote.

On Tuesday, November 8^th you will be voting on Newburyport’s Charter. The Newburyport Charter is the legal document that outlines how the City of Newburyport functions and is organized. There is now an easy to understand website on Newburyport’s Charter, www.charteryes.com. Basically a “Yes” vote means that the mayor of Newburyport, MA will be elected for 4 years instead of 2 years. (It’s a good idea, vote “Yes.”)

Also the next Newburyport City Council will be voting on a Local Historic District for Newburyport.

The candidates running for Newburyport City Council who are on record for supporting the process of a Local Historic District, i.e. the economic future of Newburyport are (you will be choosing 5):

Ed Cameron

Barry Connell

Mike Early

Ari Herzog

Steve Hutcheson

Katy O’Connor Ives

Vote on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

Newburyport Election 2011 – Confusion

What I hear when I talk to people (and these are people who vote, and pay attention) is a whole lot of confusion about the upcoming Newburyport election on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

Q: When is the mayor running for re-election?

A: The mayor is running for re-election in this election, but she is running unopposed. (I happen to think that Mayor Donna Holaday is running unopposed because she is doing such a fantastic job.)

Q: What is a “Charter,” does it have something to do with Newburyport’s Charter School?

A: No, the “Charter,” has nothing to do with Newburyport’s Charter School. The Newburyport Charter is the legal document that outlines how the City of Newburyport functions and is organized.

Q: What is that big gray pamphlet that came in the mail?

A: That is the new Newburyport Charter that the citizens of Newburyport will vote on Tuesday, November 8, 2011. There is now an easy to understand website on Newburyport’s Charter, www.charteryes.com.

Q: What are those signs?

A: The signs around town are for people running for the Newburyport Council At-Large race.

Q: What is the Newburyport Council At-Large?

A: There are 6 areas in Newburyport, they are called “Wards.” Newburyport has 6 Wards. Each Ward has its own City Councilor. In this election all 6 Newburyport Ward City Councilors are running unopposed. There are 5 other Newburyport City Councilors who cover the entire city of Newburyport (all 6 Wards), they are called Newburyport City Councilors At-Large. There are 8 candidates running for 5 seats for the Newburyport City Councilor At-Large race.

Q: My child’s doesn’t have school, I think, on November 8^th, is that when the election is?

A: Yes, the election is Tuesday, November 8, 2011. (Go out and vote.)

Q: Where do I vote again?

A: To find out where you vote go to this website “Election Information,” put in your street address and it will tell you where to vote.

Save Newburyport – Support a Local Historic District

The “Save Newburyport – Support a Local Historic District” website is up.

Although Gus Harrington and I are listed as the folks heading the endeavor, there are lots of people helping the effort.

Bumper stickers are due to arrive on Wednesday.

On the “Action” page, it gives information and links on how to write to a Letter to the Editor at the Newburyport Daily News and the Newburyport Current.

It appears that there is some confusion out there about how to access information about Newburyport’s Local Historic District (LHD). On the Action page there are links to the proposed map of the LHD, the overview of Newburyport’s proposed LHD, a link to the clarification of some of the confusion about the proposed LHD, etc.

On the Action page there is also a suggestion to call your Newburyport City Councilor, with information on who the Newburyport City Councilors are, and how to get in touch with them.

There is a reminder to vote on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, where to vote, and which Newburyport City Councilors are on record as being in favor of the proposed Newburyport LHD.

There is a recommendation to go to public meetings, to keep an open mind, whether you support Newburyport’s LHD, are against the LHD or simply aren’t sure how you feel yet.

Save Newburyport supports the process of creating a Local Historic District. That process includes public meetings where the citizens of Newburyport take part in deciding what the guidelines would be for the anticipated LHD.

New Newburyport Charter Website

There is a new Newburyport vote “Yes” Charter website.

On the front page it points out:

“We have had 6 different mayors in the last 13 years! There is a better way to run a 21st century city with a $54 million budget.”

And on the “Recall” issue the charter website “Why No Recall?” page:

“Here are some of the reasons that a recall provision is not included in the new Charter.

– Under state law, a recall can occur for any reason. For example, if someone is unhappy with a zoning decision, he can institute a recall petition. This is exactly what happened recently in Chelmsford, where a rich resident, unhappy with a zoning decision that affected his property, spent $90,000 to unseat local leaders. That effort failed, but it caused an immense amount of bad feeling in the community.

– Recalls are expensive. These “special elections” cost the taxpayers money.

– Recalls are often bitter and divisive. They can hobble the serious activities that must be provided by city government.

– There have been examples of communities around the country where a defeated mayoral candidate immediately begins working to recall the person who has just been elected. This causes enormous disruption in the community, and makes it difficult for the elected officials to begin developing their programs.”

To check the entire “Charter Yes” website out press here.

The election is Tuesday, November 8, 2011, one of the things that you will be voting for is whether or not you would like to change Newburyport’s Charter.

Newburyport, Why High Street is Important

High Street at the corner of State and High

This morning I got a call from one of the Massachusetts’ newspapers about the upcoming election. And one of the questions regarding the importance of the Newburyport’s Local Historic District (LHD), was, “Why is High Street important?”

I guess I have always assumed that people know the answer to that question, but I guess not.

In 1999 High Street was named an Endangered Resource by Preservation Massachusetts. It was the first roadway ever to be nominated.

These are some excerpts from the Endangered Resource Nomination, which was written by Bill Steelman and Jane Carolan of the Newburyport Historical Commission. The full text us up on the High Street website.

“In an important and meaningful way, High Street not only links, but virtually embodies, all periods of Newburyport’s considerable history.

Beyond its historical significance is its cultural and economic value to the community. High Street is Newburyport’s premier street and one of its major character-defining elements. As the principal gateway to Newburyport, it helps establish the city as an historic, attractive and welcoming place whose citizens appreciate and care for their community’s appearance.

High Street is historically significant. The entire street, its curvilinear course, landscape features and connection to structures, side streets and neighborhoods, contributes greatly to the Newburyport Historic District. Acknowledging its high level of significance and intact nature, the city’s 1991 preservation plan recommends High Street as a local historic district.

It is these images of Newburyport, old and new, which draw several hundred thousand visitors to the city each year, contributing significantly to the city’s burgeoning tourism economy.”

Written in 1999 by William Steelman and Jane Carolan of the Newburyport Historical Commission for the Endangered Resource Nomination.

*The above photograph is of the corner of State and High Streets, circa 1900. It is on the High Street website. It was obtained courtesy of the Historical Society of Old Newbury, at the Cushing House Museum, 98 High Street, Newburyport, MA.

There is No Protection for Downtown Newburyport

The Dodge Building, Pleasant Street, Newburyport

There is no longer any protection for downtown Newburyport except for 4 buildings, the E.P. Dodge Building (21 Pleasant Street), the Eaton Drug Building (58 State Street, across from Richdales on the corner of State Street and Pleasant Street), Fowle’s News on State Street and Newburyport City Hall, which are protected through preservation restrictions.

It used to be that the buildings downtown that received federal money from the Urban Renewal Plan, when downtown Newburyport was restored to its present wonderfulness, were protected from any inappropriate changes or demolition.

But the Urban Renewal Plan has expired, so downtown is vulnerable once more. (It was partially and almost totally destroyed in 1968.) I think almost everyone would agree that downtown Newburyport is vital to our economic wellbeing. It is one of the major reasons that people want to live, work, visit and play in Newburyport. And a Local Historic District (LHD) is the only thing that will protect downtown Newburyport.

Eventually, after a great deal of public process, where there will be give and take about the actual guidelines of the proposed Local Historic District, it will come in front of the Newburyport City Council (where there will be lots more discussion on the LHD) for a vote.

So who you vote for on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 matters if you care about whether or not Newburyport is protected for those of us who live here now, and those who come after us.

So again, the At Large candidates running for Newburyport City Council who are on record for supporting the process of a Local Historic District, i.e. the economic future of Newburyport are:

Ed Cameron

Barry Connell

Mike Early

Ari Herzog

Steve Hutcheson

Katy O’Connor Ives

(There are 6 candidates listed here who are on record as being in support of the LHD process, but you will be voting for 5.)

Vote on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

Newburyport, the Memory of What Almost Happened to High Street in 1999 is Fading

When I wrote the post on High Street almost being destroyed in 1999 it really upset me all over again.

And since writing it I’ve discovered something. The memory of what almost happened to High Street in 1999 is fading.

A lot of people, a whole lot of people, don’t even know what almost happened to our historic roadway, High Street, in 1999. Partly because the city of Newburyport has changed that much, and that a lot of the folks who live here now and are interested and are involved in what happens in our city, were not here in 1999.

I’ve also been in touch with The Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHD) the state historical commission, and the folks that I talked to there don’t know what almost happened to High Street in 1999.

And, I’ve been talking to people at MassHighway, and they don’t know what almost happened in 1999. (It used to be that if the word “Newburyport” was uttered around anyone at MassHighway, they would get the vapors, that’s how much of a stink we made in 1999 to save historic High Street.)

So for me, it’s an, “Oy Veh.” (Yes, I’m originally from New York City.)

So it becomes even more important to make sure High Street becomes a Local Historic District (LHD) to give us the political tool incase a federal or state agency ever wants to make destructive changes to our beloved historic street, one of the major economic engines for the city of Newburyport.

So again, the At Large candidates running for Newburyport City Council who are on record for supporting the process of a Local Historic District, i.e. the economic future of Newburyport are:

Ed Cameron

Barry Connell

Mike Early

Ari Herzog

Steve Hutcheson

Katy O’Connor Ives

Vote on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.

Newburyport’s Urban Renewal Plan has Expired

Newburyport’s Urban Renewal Plan for downtown Newburyport has expired.

Eaton's Drug Building on State Street

I went to Newburyport’s Planning Office today and asked what that meant, or if it meant what I thought it meant. And, yup, unfortunately I got it right.

What it means is that there is now NO protection for downtown Newburyport. Anybody can do anything to the buildings downtown except for the E.P. Dodge Building (21 Pleasant Street), the Eaton Drug Building (58 State Street, across from Richdales on the corner of State Street and Pleasant Street), Fowle’s News on State Street and Newburyport City Hall. These buildings are protected through preservation restrictions. But that’s it folks.

The Urban Renewal Plan protected the properties downtown that had received Federal money. But now that the Urban Renewal Plan has come to an end, no more protection.

Almost everyone, I think, would agree that downtown Newburyport is vital to Newburyport’s economic health. And downtown Newburyport is vulnerable once again (being partially destroyed and almost completely destroyed in 1968.)

The only thing that will protect downtown Newburyport is a Local Historic District (LHD).

In the upcoming Newburyport Election on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, the At Large candidates running for Newburyport City Council who are on record for supporting the process of a Local Historic District, i.e. the economic future of Newburyport are:

Ed Cameron

Barry Connell

Mike Early

Ari Herzog

Steve Hutcheson

Katy O’Connor Ives

Make sure you vote on Tuesday, November 8, 2011.