October 23, 2024 Written by Carol Britton Meyer
More than 740 people responded to a recent survey conducted by the Port Development Commission about potential uses for the waterfront property at 30 Summer Street, which was purchased by the town in November 2023.
HDC Chairman Marco Boer presented the results to the Select Board Tuesday night and explained why the town purchased the land with Town Council approval in the first place. “The original goal was to have some control over the waterfront, where less than 6 percent is publicly accessible. The rest is privately owned.”
The results show that 35% of respondents support maritime-related activities. 21 percent, Hingham Rec class; 19% demolished former estate buildings on the site to create public park space. There is 5 per cent of the port master’s office on site. And the rest will be used for other purposes.
The survey results were posted on the town’s website and shared through other channels.
“The results will guide our recommendations.”
“While the responses are not binding, the results will guide our recommendations to the select committee as we move forward,” Bohr said.
The $1.25 million property includes a 1,400-square-foot building located on a 0.2-acre lot with space for approximately five parking spaces. At this time, there is no access to the waterfront from the property.
39% of respondents would like to have a restaurant on site, while others would like to have a marina, retail, art gallery, office, and bank/ATM. Approximately 30% support maritime programs such as those offered by Hingham Maritime Center.
“It’s clear that we want water-related activities and use of 30 Summer Street,” Bohr said. “We are seeing strong interest in waterfront restaurants despite limited space and parking.”
One of the questions concerned the possibility of renting the property to private users and what private uses, if any, would best serve the Hingham community.
Sixty-two percent said they would support leasing to businesses, nonprofits, and civic organizations if such use would collect more than the town’s annual debt service. The remaining 38% did not support such use.
When asked whether they would support the town selling the property to a private buyer if the sale resulted in a net gain to the town, 36% strongly disagreed, 14% strongly supported; 17% disagree and 19% are neutral.
Proposes a wide range of ideas to suit various applications
Cafes and beer gardens were among the dozens of ideas shared in the survey. A facility that rents kayaks, paddleboards, and other water sports equipment. A park with a safe place to launch kayaks and other small boats. playground. Spray pad for children. Additional access to water. City hall space. and Hingham Maritime use HMC assets/extensions.
Other proposed uses include an aquaculture education center/oyster shop. art center. Basketball court, volleyball, putt. Bicycle/walking path. book store. New city pool. Concerts and food truck events on an outdoor stage. Multipurpose space for weddings. A seasonal pop-up shop inside a shipping container. Creating waterfront destinations. raw bar. and urgent care and walk-in clinics.
When it was pointed out that some non-residents were also participating in the survey, select board member Liz Klein responded, “We want people to come to Hingham!” Ta.
Explaining “what’s next,” Bohr noted that the buildings on the site are functionally defective and unfit for official city use, but could be rented out to non-governmental organizations. .
“The building cannot be empty for more than three years until the (long-term) vision is implemented,” he said. “We don’t want to repeat the problem of renting beach houses in communal beaches. We need to think creatively about short-term options and have a single entity take full responsibility for running the buildings.”
The selection committee agreed that while pursuing this short-term solution, time is of the essence in developing long-term plans for this property.
The overall goal is to build a long-term vision
Bohr said the overall goal is to develop a long-term vision related to respondents’ desires for marine-related activities and work with the town’s planning department to develop permitted new buildings and associated budgets. .
In the meantime, the short-term goal is to sign a lease with a nonprofit organization for up to three years at $1 a year, with a 50-50 split in profits from pay-per-view programming at 30 Summer Street. The lessee is responsible for the following: non-capital maintenance and operating costs associated with buildings;
After further consideration and discussion, HDC will ultimately make recommendations to the Select Committee on how to best utilize the property in line with the port region’s broader planning goals.
“This is a great start,” said Selectman William Ramsey, praising HDC’s leadership in “all things (Hingham) Harbor.”
Tony Giorgio, owner of the marina next door, agreed that something urgently needed to be done about the building and offered to help. “We have to move this forward. I’m here!” he said.
