COURTESY PHOTO
A piece of a conceptual drawing of Alternative 4 for the Saugus RiverWalk. This option is preferred by APEX Companies, LLC. It follows the waterfront behind town-owned and commercial properties but moves to the sidewalk in front of residential properties to preserve privacy and private river access.
By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SAUGUS — The preferred design for the Saugus RiverWalk includes waterfront access while respecting the privacy of Ballard Street residents.
John McAllister, an engineer with APEX Companies, LLC, provided an update on the project at a gathering at the Fox Hill Yacht Club on Thursday. Engineers examined four options and ranked them on how well they aligned with meeting the town’s goals.
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The first option called for making no waterfront changes. But McAllister argued the option would not advance community integration, promote tourism, or increase access to the river. Creating a riverwalk entirely along the water’s edge would be the most difficult option because of permitting and cost. Keeping it along the coast behind only town-owned and commercial properties would be more feasible, he said.
The preferred option, known as Alternative 4, includes a walkway that begins at the Belden Bly Bridge and travels along the coast behind Ken’s Car Care Center, Shana Seafood Rear and the Fox Hill Yacht Club and its parking lot.
“Growing up in Saugus as a kid, we always had access to lobsters,” said Town Manager Scott Crabtree. “We’ve sort of lost that. The area has turned more industrial and commercial. We have a limited amount of waterfront here. We’re trying to rule out what we don’t want and attract what we’re looking for.”
Under the option, the walkway skirts the waterfront through Vitale Park. At the left side of the parking lot, the path would move to the street and travel in front of a few homes and Tom’s Bait and Tackle until it reaches the public boat launch.
The stretch of land covered by the path encompasses 15 parcels with 10 different owners.
McAllister said APEX recommended Alternative 4 because it optimizes public access to the river and water’s edge while respecting the privacy of residents.
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The Seaport Economic Council awarded the town a $120,000 grant toward the preliminary design and planning of the project last year. To move forward, the town will need to seek additional funding from the Seaport Economic Council.
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 walkway 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.
The project will require local, state and federal permitting.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.