FILE PHOTO
Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito tours the area where the projected RiverWalk will go with Town Manager Scott Crabtree and Carolyn Kirk, right, executive director of the Seaport Economic Council in this November 2016 file photo.
By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — Plans for the RiverWalk project aimed at improving public access to the Saugus River will be unveiled Thursday night at the Fox Hill Yacht Club.
The proposed RiverWalk will connect the town-owned boat ramp, Lobsterman’s Landing and the bike and pedestrian lanes planned as part of the Belden Bly Bridge project. It will also promote foot traffic for the Department of Recreation and Conservation restoration project at the Rumney Marsh and encourage commercial fishermen and recreational boat users to visit the area.
The idea was developed during a series of resident visioning sessions in 2013. Town Meeting in 2014 adopted a Waterfront Mixed Use Overlay District.
The intent is for the improvements to lead to new businesses in the underutilized area, including seafood restaurants that will benefit local lobstermen.
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John McAllister, an engineer with APEX Companies, LLC, will lead a discussion on the project’s progress at Thursday’s meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m.
“We hope those who are interested will join us to discuss the latest developments in this exciting project, which is a vision for the future of the town of saugus,” Town Manager Scott Crabtree said in a statement.
McAllister led state officials on a tour of the proposed site last month. Although Saugus doesn’t rise to the top of the list when thinking of a coastal community, constructing the RiverWalk will bring jobs, people and families to the area, said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito during the tour.
The Seaport Economic Council awarded the town a $120,000 grant towards the preliminary design and planning of the project last year. As the project progresses through the next phases, the town will apply for additional Seaport Economic funding.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.