Located on Newburyport's central waterfront on the Merrimack River, the Boardwalk Reconstruction and Extension Project was substantially completed at the end of June, 2003. Recognized as the City's premier civic space, the boardwalk and associated waterfront park is one of the most popular attractions for residents and visitors alike, and functions as a critical engine for the downtown’s economic vitality. Originally built in the 1970's, the 1100-foot boardwalk had deteriorated after a quarter century of weathering and use, and the community recognized the need to upgrade and extend the facility (which dead-ended in undeveloped lots used for parking). A private sector fund-raising campaign was initiated which sparked donations by hundreds of citizens, as well as local banks and other corporate entities, and raised approximately $250,000. The City received two grants from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts totaling $800,000, and the City Council approved three bond authorizations that supplied the balance of the $2.4 million project.

Most of the Peter J. Matthews Memorial Boardwalk and associated walkways are owned by the Newburyport Waterfront Trust, which is a quasi-public nonprofit organization. Other portions of land on the central waterfront are owned by the Newburyport Redevelopment Authority. Working with these organizations and design consultant Vollmer Associates, the City conducted more than a year of planning and designed a project to significantly upgrade a beloved facility, build two new walkways to connect the waterfront with the downtown, and directly improve blighted waterfront property. The bid was awarded to an excellent general contractor, Boston Towing and Transportation Companies Marine Construction Division. Construction took 18 months, and included the hard winter of 2002-2003 and a variety of challenges (especially underground surprises such as underground storage tanks, multiple buried utility cables, and large urban detritus).

Decking: The project replaced the original boardwalk decking of pressure-treated southern pine, which was warped, splintering, and losing strength, with an extremely durable tropical hardwood called Ipe. Anticipated to last two generations or more with only minor maintenance and no chemical preservatives, the Ipe planks are dense, strong, and have the same fire rating as concrete or steel. New handrails of Ipe were also installed. The timber harvest was independently certified for compliance with environmental laws, and the City and contractors jointly funded a Fields to Forest Tropical Reforestation Program project that planted 166 tropical hardwood trees in tropical forests and plantations certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Eastern extension: The boardwalk was extended about 150 feet to the east by bridging across a drainage outfall and connecting with the City's commercial fish pier, Harbormaster building, and the local fishermen's memorial to the crew of the Heather Lynne. A new brick plaza was established at this eastern terminus to integrate all these elements into a cohesive space, and the harbormaster building was improved and made handicapped-accessible. In addition, a granite-curbed brick walkway - lined with lights, benches, and trees - was installed to connect the boardwalk with the downtown and reflect its unique vernacular materials, character and scale. It also connects the historic Custom House, which is now an active museum owned by the Newburyport Maritime Society, with the boardwalk by re-routing of vehicular traffic, removing a parking lot and establishing green space that will be used for outdoor maritime interpretation.

Western extension: Similarly, on the western end, the City extended the boardwalk to a boat ramp and restaurant, replaced a decaying timber bulkhead with one of steel, and installed a broad brick walkway to connect the facility back to the street and sidewalk. Where the brick flares out at the boardwalk, a new outdoor Sculpture Park is envisioned. Concrete pads were installed beneath the brick, and will serve as bases for sculpture selected from the robust local artist community with assistance from the adjacent non-profit Firehouse Center for the Arts.

Amenities: Other aspects of the project include the installation of new primary power and water systems to provide shorepower and water services for boaters visiting Newburyport at the City's floating docks, which line the boardwalk. In the embayment, the fender piles were repaired and augmented in order to accommodate tie-up by the City's small fleet of commercial fishing boats in the winter. In addition, a new granite memorial seating area for former Mayor Peter J. Matthews was established, as well as variety of other amenities including new lighting and planters.

The boardwalk is beloved for many reasons, including its intimate human scale and the variety of moods and spaces available for all to enjoy - striking views of the active riverfront, estuary and ocean, picnic and seating areas, open green space, brick plazas, memorials, a stage for outdoor concerts, a glimpse of the City's commercial fishing heritage, and more. Prior to the construction of the new walkways, some visitors used to say that they did not know a boardwalk and waterfront existed. The enthusiastic public response to the project is typified by a citizen who walks the boardwalk every morning with her 91-year-old mother, who recently noted that she loves the new and improved boardwalk so much that each day she has trouble leaving it.

Contributors: The Boardwalk Reconstruction and Extension Project was made possible by the following generous contributors:

City of Newburyport	$1,371,707
Department of Environmental Management, Division of Waterways & Seaport Advisory Council	$800,630
Newburyport Area Industrial Development Corporation	$100,000
Institution for Savings Charitable Foundation	$50,000
Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank	$50,000
First & Ocean National Bank	$15,000
Matthews Memorial Committee	$15,681
Piper Properties	$10,000
Newburyport Waterfront Trust	$10,000
First National Bank of Ipswich	$6,000
Hall & Moskow	$3,000
Newburyport Maritime Society	$2,800
Danvers Savings Bank	$2,000

Next steps: The boardwalk's steel bulkhead - the interface between land and water - is a quarter of a century old, and the steel sheets are thinning out at the top. In the near future, funding needs to be secured in order to reinforce the top three feet along the length of the facility to ensure the continued structural stability of boardwalk. In addition, the facilities of the commercial fishing pier at the eastern end of the boardwalk need to be upgraded for the City's small fleet of commercial fishermen, including a pier extension, a renovated lift, and a building for gear. Finally, opportunities to work with adjacent landowners and extend formal walkways to the east and west of the boardwalk must be pursued.

Strategic Waterfront Plan

Funded by a $50,000 grant from the Seaport Advisory Council through the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, the City of Newburyport's Planning Office and Harbor Commission have developed a Strategic Waterfront Plan for the two-plus miles of Merrimack River waterfront at the center of the community. Working with consultant Goody, Clancy, and Associates in the spring of 2003, the plan was substantially completed around the end of June, 2003. As soon as it is available, the plan will be available at this site.

The planning process included three general public meetings, two presentations at Harbor Commission meetings, and a number of interviews and discussions with stakeholders. Public input quickly focused on the following issues:

• Protecting the boatyards in the northern portion of the Waterfront Marine Dependent district from residential encroachment;
• Improving Cashman Park in terms of a restored soccer field and associated parking and public access linkage to the central waterfront;
• Redeveloping the portion of the downtown to the west of the central waterfront with particular sensitivity to public access and extension of the existing downtown quality and character;
• Upgrading marine infrastructure, particularly the commercial fish pier.

The appearance, functioning, public access, and redevelopment opportunities along this portion of the Merrimack River are subjects of significant interest to the community. The plan defines specific capital improvement projects for the City, as well as recommends land use regulations and permit review procedures to provide clear guidance for developers.