Category Archives: The Waterfront

The Waterfront, Newburyport, MA

Newburyport Website Design

The second free website design that I created, contains three historic photographs of Newburyport, Massachusetts. It was a tough decision to decide which ones to use. But eventually I chose the photographs of the clipper ship in Newburyport’s waterfront harbor, a view of downtown Newburyport, looking up the Merrimac River, and a detail of the a clam worker from the historic photograph, the Clam Houses. All three photographs are in the public domain, courtesy of the Newburyport Archival Center at the Newburyport Public Library, in Newburyport, MA. The historic photograph of the Clam shack worker is at the top of this post.

The website design “Old Photographs” can be downloaded for free at Mary Baker Design. A demo of the Newburyport website design can be seen here.

The website design is in a WordPress format. WordPress is a terrific software. It is very flexible, and the person who downloads the website design can put their own title, description, content and navigating information on the top menu bar as well as on the side.

The site can be made to look like a website, a blog or a combination of both. If you are puzzled by what to do with the website once it is downloaded, please contact me at Mary Baker Design.

The first two websites based on the old photographs of Newburyport, MA are a way of giving back to the seacoast, New England city of Newburyport, MA that I love so much. And I figured that if the website designs are downloaded and used, that they would be a great advertising tool for the historic city of Newburyport, MA, a wonderful place to live, to work, to visit, to raise a family, to retire to and just to plain old enjoy and have fun. I’ve also included a snapshot of what the website design of “Old Photographs” actually looks like. You can see the “Old Photograph” website design page here.

Stephen Karp’s Visit to Newburyport, MA

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

Service, Fixing and Helping

My Dad passed on March 3rd, 12 hours short of his 90th birthday.

My father was a remarkable man. He taught me about the gift of “service.”

He taught his daughter that service is different from “helping” or “fixing” people, situations, institutions. That in “helping” and “fixing” one often sees individuals and institutions as being weaker than oneself, and that people could feel diminished, something my father never wanted.

My father taught me that service honors life, and the wholeness and holiness of life. And that service is not about taking credit for whatever is accomplished, but that amazing things could be achieved when one does not care who takes the credit.

And this brings me to Mr. Karp, who arrives in Newburyport, MA today for his first encounter with the people of Newburyport, MA.

And my hope would be that Mr. Karp would see Newburyport, MA not as a place to be “fixed,” or a place to be “helped.” But that Mr. Karp would use his knowledge, his expertise and his wealth in a spirit of “service.” That he would honor Newburyport, MA, and see his purpose, not as putting his “mark” on our small New England city, but see his work here, as a way of enriching Newburyport’s “wholeness” and enriching the city’s “spirit.”

That he might see himself not as a “powerful” landlord, but as a servant to a place that is much greater than himself.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Bobo is Me

A friend of mine recommended that I read “Bobos in Paradise,” the best seller published in 2000 by David Brooks, a “must read” book that I never read.

I started out reading “Bobos in Paradise” with the assumption that it would be a description and an indictment of what has happened to Newburyport, MA. Instead I found many descriptions of myself. And found myself nodding in agreement.

This is a quote from page 264:

“They (Bobos) will talk about preserving local character, fighting sprawl, combating unregulated growth, and enhancing “livability” and “quality of life.”

C’est moi.

“Bobos spend more time restoring lost treasures, renovating old structures, or preserving old buildings than they do creating new and experimental institutions. Every third Bob automobile seems to have a bumper sticker on it that implores, “Save the_.”

C’est moi (try “Save High Street” or “Save Our Town”).

“Bobos are saving old theaters, old neighborhoods, old factories and warehouses, or even historically significant diners.”

C’est moi.

“When they do allow new building, these mostly affluent activists will insist that the new construction adhere to the patterns of the past.”

Aside from the “affluent” part, yup, that’s me.

And maybe (I’m still thinking this over), that is why I am skeptical of New England Development and Mr. Karp (who we all know now is arriving here Thursday, March 13th to address the citizens of Newburyport, MA).

I am concerned, along with lots of other folks, about the “new buildings” that Mr. Karp would eventually erect on Newburyport’s Waterfront.

Would they be in keeping with the beauty, historic nature and intrinsic value of Newburyport, MA? Or would they bring a whole different dichotomy to Newburyport than what so many of us cherish about our small, New England coastal city.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Stephen Karp to Visit Newburyport, MA

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.)

Newburyport, MA, the Integrity and the Fate of our City

I have had this conversation with many folks, always folks who have moved to Newburyport, MA “recently.” And by recently that could be 7 years to a month ago.

The question is, “So what if Stephen Karp’s plan is high-end homogenization. Why would that not be good for Newburyport, MA. Wouldn’t the economic prosperity that would ensue, be a bottom line in helping out our small New England city financially?”

There are any number of levels on which to respond to that question. Buy Local addresses some of the economic concerns, which people may not agree with (see Tom Salemi’s blog, Newburyport Posts).

When Roger Foster bought so much of the downtown property, whether one agreed with Mr. Foster’s goals or not (wanting a hotel on the Central Waterfront, on the NRA property), the land was owned by someone who had an emotional attachment to Newburyport.

When that land was bought by Chuck and Ann Lagasse, many people were concerned on the one hand, but on the other, again these were 2 people who lived within the community, had strong community ties, and also had what appeared to be a strong emotional attachment to Newburyport, MA.

For both Roger Foster and Chuck and Ann Lagasse, whether one agreed with the approach or not, there appeared to be a certain “integrity” in the ownership of the land. Both could have been seen as “family-run” businesses, interested about the bottom line, but also having a balance of being involved in and caring about the community of Newburyport, MA.

But this is what it feels like to me. This large piece of land (that contains over “50 retail properties in downtown Newburyport and along the waterfront,” New England Development’s website) has gone from being run as a family-run affair, to being owned by a very large and ambitious corporate entity, with no emotional attachment to Newburyport, MA, whose focus would solely be on the bottom line.

And although I hear all the time, that Ann and Chuck Lagasse are in charge for a reason, to maintain integrity, I do not buy it. That is my opinion.

It is my opinion that there has to be a business plan, and that business plan would have to come from the top, i.e. New England Development. And the way that the business appears now to be structured, it is my opinion that the Lagasses could not possibly have the last say, and final input, which would include input from the community, in what would happen to the fate of Newburyport, MA.

It is my opinion, that the emotional attachment and the “integrity” of the ownership, have been greatly compromised.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

High-End Homogenization, How High

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

Five Star Marina

I think I am now going to assume (and try to accept, because it all seems to be out of our, Newburyport’s, control) that what is going to happen to our small New England City is high-end homogenization.

A friend of mine, who loves historic preservation, recommended a fascinating book by Dana Thomas, called “Deluxe,” how high end luxury brands, Gucci for example, have become globalized,” and “lost their luster,” and have become available to the “masses.”

All of this would mean that high-end luxury retail would now be available to developers like New England Development, whereas in earlier decades, that would not have been a choice that would have been available.

In an article in the Newburyport Daily News, January 11, 2008, that Tom Salemi also talks about on Newburyport Posts, Newburyport City Council Larry McCavitt had some reservations about the reconfiguring of Hilton Marina, which is owned by New England Development.

“‘We are basically trying to construct a five-star marina in downtown Newburyport,” Frangipane said.” (Butch Frangipane, marina manager for Stephen Karp)

“… (Larry) McCavitt, who said everyone has been asking what is going to happen, said this marina plan is the start.

“This is an incremental development of this area that is supposed to be a comprehensive plan,” McCavitt said.” (Newburyport Daily News, January 11, 2008, by Stephen Tait)

And I would agree with Councilor McCavitt that the marinas are a logical place for New England Development to start.

And I checked out Newburyport Waterside Marinas and one of the interesting things is, that although it is not included on the home page of the site, on most of the remaining pages “Nantucket Boat Basin” is one of the prominent links.

“At Nantucket Boat Basin, we provide you with the highest quality marina services from the moment you arrive until the time you depart. Our 240-slip, full-service marina caters to some of the world’s most discerning travelers. The Boat Basin is just two blocks from Nantucket Town, a charming, historic seaport with fascinating shops, unique galleries and world class restaurants.”

This is the copy on the website of the home page for Nantucket Boat Basin. It could easily be the copy for the a five star marina to come, in Newburyport, MA.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Mr. Karp and New England Development

In thinking about Mr. Karp, he and New England Development are the main story and the main issue that is at least lurking in the background of most Newburyporter’s brains.

And the fact that we are “powerless” over Mr. Karp, at least to me feels uncomfortable.

It feels to me that there is an absentee, non-existent person up there in the castle, and then there is the rest of us down below. And there is no indication of what would be the fate of the place that we are living in, we just know that definitely something is going to happen.

And in thinking about Mr. Karp and how people deal with our relatively “new” landlord, it seems people either trust New England Development and give them the benefit of the doubt. Or they don’t trust New England Development, and their inclination would be to “challenge” them.

But if you are a “challenger,” the frustrating thing would be that there has been little or no information from the New England Development folks, for what I think could be years now, to make a reasoned challenge with.

One could assume a “high-end homogenous” business plan. However, just how high-end that would end up being, don’t know.

So I’m trying to accept that I’m powerless over Mr. Karp, and just relax and accept whatever is coming. However, that’s a tough one, and it feels like a real loss. Because I’ve always felt that if a Newburyport resident paid attention and got involved, that they could make a real difference and contribution to our community. But now, I’m not so sure.

But lately I’ve been thinking to myself, well, with everything going on in the economy, and possible economic uncertainly in the future, that Newburyport might be lucky to have a billionaire who owns so much of Newburyport, MA, that could provide a cushion in difficult financial times.

And although I might not want “high-end homogenization” for my home town, at least I am pretty sure that Mr. Karp would do his best to make whatever happens “attractive.” And I do get the feeling that his intentions are to “do right” by Newburyport, MA. It’s just whether New England Development’s definition of “do right” would coincide with what residents feel would be a good definition of “do right.”

And maybe the worst scenario would be in a bad economy, for Mr. Karp to sell some or all of that very key property downtown and along the waterfront to someone who really doesn’t have any good intentions towards Newburyport, MA at all.

It just appears to be more and more of a long wait and see situation.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Senior Center, Where

This is where it becomes wretched. Where to have the Newburyport Senior Center?

Ed Cameron talks about this on his blog.

And I give Mayor John Moak great deal of credit for making a decision about where to locate the Senior Center, the choice being Cushing Park, a location Mr. Cameron also agrees with.

Some seniors have been actively lobbying for a Senior Center on the Central Waterfront (the NRA property).

Well, a hotel didn’t go there and neither did the Newburyport Library.

And to keep lobbying for the Senior Center to go on the Central Waterfront, could in my opinion, not only sabotage any hopes of a Senior Center ever being built, but also could sabotage any hope of the conundrum of the Central Waterfront (the NRA property) ever being resolved (and it looks like there might be a ray of hope that we could be close).

Is there a perfect place for a Senior Center? No. Otherwise we as a city might have agreed on a spot after all these many, many years.

And if a Senior Center is to actually happen, it would be my opinion that it could be time to get real realistic and do a little compromising on the part of those unhappy with the Cushing Park site.

And yes, I understand how threatening it would be for the neighbors of Cushing Park not to have all of that off-street parking during bad winter weather.

However, the same was true for the Catholic Church property on Federal Street where the 2 historic houses where rescued and the area built on (the Federal Street Overlay District).

That area was mostly used for off-street parking during lousy winter weather. What did all those neighbors do? I don’t know, but they sure did something. (And no one ever expected the Catholic Church to give that piece of land up for development.)

And yes, location is important for a Senior Center. However, what happens inside the Senior Center, the people who are there for the Senior Center and having a place to go for seniors, for me, trumps location.

It seems to me that Cushing Park is the best compromise that the city has yet to come up with for a Senior Center. And if you’ve been reading the Newburyport Blog lately, it would be my opinion, that we really need a Senior Center now.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

To Chain Store or Not

To chain store or not to chain store (a conversation that has been taking place on Tom Salemi’s Blog, Newburyport Posts) would really not be the question for me. The question for me, in actuality, would be about the underlying concern in the community about Mr. Karp and New England Development.

After reading Stephen Tait’s series of articles about Mr. Karp, New England Development, Nantucket and Newburyport (a must read) in the Newburyport Daily News, December 2007, I ended up thinking, “What’s the use?” “What does it matter?”

Newburyport, MA might be lucky if we got a “tweak” in the plans. But my guess, based on that excellent piece of reporting on Mr. Tait’s part, that New England Development and Mr. Karp would do what ever they want, and there is very little, as long as the zoning requirements are within reason, that the residents or political folks could do.

Sigh.

How depressing.

So the “Chain Store Ordinance” could in someway, be a statement of rebellion. It could be a statement of a desire to be able to control some of the destiny, on some small level of Newburyport, MA. Not to leave it completely up to a large corporation, where Newburyport, it appears, could be just another jewel in New England Development’s crown.

It is could not only be about what would be best economically for Newburyport, MA, but it could also be a statement that Newburyport, MA belongs to us.

And I ask myself, what do we as residence of Newburyport have control over, if not the fate of our own downtown.

And 2 of the things that come to mind are the fate of Newburyport’s senior population (if we are lucky, we too might eventually become part of a senior population) and a vibrant and welcoming Senior Center, and the fate of our children’s education.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Charming New England Winters

Winter in New England is often described as “charming.”

This winter scene from c. 1860 of Green Street from the Newburyport Archives would certainly be considered “charming.”

GreenStreet_1860-nbpt-Lib.jpg
Green Street c. 1860
Courtesy Newburyport Archival Center
Newburyport Public Library

And this beautiful detail of the same photograph. The church in the background I believe is the church on Green Street that has been made into a restaurant.

GreenStreet-Detail1860-nbpt.jpg
Detail, Green Street c. 1860
Courtesy of the Newburyport Archival Center
Newburyport Public Library

Ah, but so often the realities in Newburyport MA look and feel much more like this:

blizzard_trees.jpg
A winter storm
Wikipedia.org

Stephen Tait in the Newburyport Daily News wrote, what in my mind was a fairly “scary” article on what Mr. Karp and the “super-wealthy” have done to Nantucket. (After reading Mr. Tait’s article, “High-End Homogenization” to me seems “quaint.”)

“… it (Nantucket) has lost its innocence..” “I think Karp is going the wrong direction. He wants everything to be upscale and sophisticated…”

“…the island attracting the wealthy, the middle and upper middle class families are no longer traveling to the island for vacation because it is too expensive…”

“.. the super rich don’t necessarily add to the local economy since they fly in their own chefs, their own staff and host parties at their residences…” (Newburyport Daily News, December 17, 2007, by Stephen Tait. Read the whole thing. In fact, it’s a “must read”.)

And the charm of Newburyport, which attracts and has attracted so many, may well be only for a chosen few. And in my mind that would wipe out the “charming” image of Green Street, and replace it with the image of the winter storm.

Ouch.

Newburyport, E. Ross Carriage Work

The lone horse and buggy in the photo of the Chain Bridge (see earlier entry) sent me searching in the Archives of the Newburyport Public Library.

And I found this wonderful (and warm) photograph of E. Ross Carriage Work.

Ross-Carriage-nbpt-LArch.jpg

E. Ross Carriage Work
Courtesy of the Newburyport Archival Center
Newburyport Public Library

It also goes back to my thoughts about the different mix of people and places that added color, interest and vibrancy to Newburyport, MA. I am thinking, once again, of New England Development, Mr. Karp and “High-End Homogenization.”

The Newburyport Daily News has an excellent story today, December 17, 2007, by Stephen Tait, about the possible future of Newburyport, MA, judging by how Nantucket, another one of Mr. Karp’s outposts, has evolved.

“Whitey Wilauer, the chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said he often hears complaints from retailers, mostly regarding the ever-rising rents.

“He (Karp) is very sophisticated in his approach,” he said. “He has a staff down here, and they are looking at each property and trying to determine if they are profitable or not profitable. He is trying to bring profitable outfits into the town. That’s what happens when you have investors to please; the actual cultural aspects aren’t paid much attention to…” 


“They just have that attitude that they don’t care: either pay it or they’ll find somebody else who can,” Brownell said…” (Newburyport Daily News, December 17, 2007, by Stephen Tait)

And here is a close up of the group of men standing in front of Mr. Ross’ establishment.

Carriage-nbpt-Lib-Detail-1.jpg

Detail, E. Ross Carriage Work
Newburyport Archival Center
Courtesy of the Newburyport Public Library

One of the things I also love about this photograph is the advertising on the roofs. Obviously an era long before modern billboards.

What an ingenious way to market a product. I’ve seen “advertisements” painted on existing brick walls, and on brick walls in old photographs of Newburyport, MA. But this is the first time I’ve ever noticed advertising on roofs.

Carriage-nbptLib-detail-roo.jpg

Detail, Roofs
E. Ross Carriage Work
Courtesy of the Newburyport Archival Center
Newburyport Public Library

(And the fact the roofs are snow and ice free, today, December 17, 2007, is also quite enjoyable.)

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport’s Master Plan

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

Newburyport Master Plan–Not High-End

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

High-End Homogenization

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

Another Chain Store Coming to Newburyport, MA

Donna O’Neil from the Newburyport Current is correct (Newburyport Current, November 30, 2007). Chico’s apparently is coming to Newburyport, MA.

From Careerbuilder.com:

“Store Manager & Store Team-Chico’s-19 Water Street, Newbur” (I’m assuming Newburyport, since it’s listed as Newburyport on other job finder websites.)

“Opening, March 2008”

Also from Careerbuilder.com

Company Overview:

“Chico’s FAS Inc., which is a group of 4 divisions, is a specialty retailer of private label, sophisticated, casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates, complementary accessories and other non-clothing gift items. The Company operates 847 women’s specialty stores, including stores in 47 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico operating under the Chico’s, White House|Black Market, soma by Chico’s, and Fitigues names. From our exclusive, private-label designs to our exceptional personal service, our divisions provide a truly unique retail environment. When you walk into any of our stores, you can depend upon the sales staff to coordinate, accessorize, and help you build a wardrobe to suit your needs. All our products are designed and developed by our Product Development Team in our Headquarters in Fort Myers, Florida which enables us to provide you with new styles every week.”

From what I can make out from salemdeeds.com, 19 Water Street is owned by New England Development.

Actually, on the deed it says Newburyport Manager LLC TRS, with a contact for Bruce M. Herman. But since Newburyport Manager LLC owns property all over downtown Newburyport, and there is a Bruce M. Herman who is the Controller, Executive Vice President at New England Development, I am assuming that we would be talking about New England Development and Mr. Karp.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport, Waterfront Survey 2000

Bless the readers of the Newburyport Blog. I love it when accurate information comes my way.

This is a clarification and correction of the earlier entry on the Central Waterfront (which is being discussed on Tom Salemi’s blog.) Yes, the 2000 survey did address the issue of all kinds of uses, including, mixed-use, retail/residential.

Please press here to see the PDF version of the survey that the NRA sent out in 2000.

Mary Lou Supple emailed me to say that in the year 2000, “Of all the things people did not want to see on the waterfront, housing of any kind was number one. No one wanted anyone else to live on their waterfront. ” (Used with permission.)

And apparently the surveys with comments, about 1500 of them, were placed in the reference section of the Newburyport Library in 2000, in three binders. I have not checked to see if they are still there now.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Newburyport’s Central Waterfront

I gotta say that it’s great fun taking a computer break and then being able to check out Tom Salemi’s blog, Newburyport Posts. I get a big kick out of it.

Newburyport Posts has been discussing the possibility of not having a park/parking on the Central Waterfront but mixed-use building.

Sigh.

Some history here. The fight for an Open Waterfront and not a hotel was fierce and ended up in court. And I can’t sight particular sources here, but it is my remembrance that Mr. Foster paid a fortune fighting that legal battle, eventual losing, and during the recession of the early 1990’s the Lagasses bought up much of what Roger Foster owned downtown, shall we say, for a “fair price.”

The 2 questionnaires that went out did not include the option of mixed-use building, i.e. retail and residential space, but it was all about a hotel or an open waterfront. (Folks please feel free to email me with clarifications on all of this very complicated, decades, long history.) (Please see Editor’s note at the bottom of the post.)

It is my own humble opinion that way back whenever that was, that was the time to discuss other options, not now.

I have a vague memory (again clarification may be needed) that when Nick Cracknell was Newburyport Planning Director, it was thought that from a city planning point of view, that mix-used on the Central Waterfront could make long-range sense.

However, to do something of that magnitude, would take incredible political will, complete consensus (good luck on that one, it’s only been how many decades now?), and a consistency in the corner office and in the Newburyport Planning Office (again, could be unlikely).

This would be my guess–that if the chit-chat of mixed-use on the Central Waterfront actually gets some traction, we could see the Moak parking folks and the pro-Open Waterfront folks come to an agreement lightening fast, and together fight like crazy against a mixed-use concept.

And I would be correct on my prediction (please press here for earlier post) that the Central Waterfront would never be completed in my lifetime.

At the moment, as it stands, I could actually lose that bet with myself. Because it looks like a meeting of the minds, a consensus, could actually be a possibility.

(And don’t forget all the folks who want a senior center on the Central Waterfront as well.)

And just for argument’s sake, it would be my feeling that having open space in that area, would be very much of an economic booster. This is not just any vista, but a chance to get a gander at the mouth of the mighty Merrimac River, with all its power, its beauty, its strength, its drama and its sense of hope and possibility, churning its way to the vast Atlantic Ocean.

There are not many such panoramas. And this one certainly consciously and/or unconsciously gives hope to my soul, and is one of the reasons that I like to live here so much. And I would imagine that concept could be applicable to other souls as well.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport

Editor’s Note: Corrections and clarifications can be found on a later entry. Please press here to see that post.

I’ve used the phrase “Central Waterfront” to reference the two NRA waterfront lots. The “Waterfront” or “Waterfront West” and “Waterfront East” would be the property owned by Mr. Karp and New England Development. The “Waterfront” is also often used to describe the whole “shebang” down there along the might mouth of the Merrimac River.

New England Development and Downtown Newburyport

“Most of it is ostensibly utterly trivial, but the sum is not trivial at all. The sum of such casual, public contact at the local level. . . most of it fortuitous, most of it associated with errands . . . is a feeling for the public identity of people, a web of public respect and trust, and a resource in time of personal or neighborhood need. The absence of this trust is a disaster to a city street.”

“The Death and Life of Great American Cities”, by Jane Jacobs from the website of subortnbpt.org.

It’s Mr. Karp again.

I had an email conversation with an elected official who met with Ann Lagasse recently. What I took away from my email conversation would be something that many folks could be happy seeing develop in Newburyport, MA.

Basically that 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….”

That…”help bolster the downtown, and who stand a good chance of making it.”

And my email friend says that they would “doubt very seriously we will be seeing anything that is low to mid market.”

And that “New England Development chose to invest in Newburyport (the Lagasses) because it is working and is successful. They see no reason to change what is obviously not broken.” (Excerpts from this email have been used with permission.)

The shop at Middle and State Streets (see earlier entry) confirms the above statements.

However, this doesn’t mean that I do not have some reservations.

Ms Lagasse is in charge of leasing the stores in downtown Newburyport, but Mr. Karp owns them. He owns “us.” (“Newburyport, Fifty top retail properties in downtown Newburyport and along the waterfront,” is listed on NED’s website under “Portfolio”.)

And, Mr. Karp may be very “good willed” and have very “good intentions,” but he is not part of our everyday, “trivial” lives. And that is important for trust, major community trust.

It has to do, for me, with the very confusing times we live in. A dehumanizing thing seems to be taking place.

Bill Moyers in his speech, “What Adam Said to Eve” (see earlier entry) talks about the “corporations that largely control our media and telecommunications systems,” and the chilling effect that has had on journalism.

And it feels to me that with luck that we may have a “benevolent” corporation as a landlord, but it would still be a corporation (New England Development, Mr. Karp) that would control so much of our downtown.

It would, for me, be the opposite of community. First of all I’m not big on monopolies, and to state the obvious, personally I don’t think it’s healthy to have someone or anyone control that much of Newburyport, MA.

And one does not meet (although one might meet its representative, Mr. and Mrs Lagasse) a corporation, in this case, New England Development (NED) at the pharmacy, doing an errand downtown, or over vegetables at the supermarket. The “trivial” things that are part of community, neighborhood, that create empathy for the people inhabiting a particular place, our place.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport