New Bedford State Pier redevelopment proposals to be subject of May public meeting
NEW BEDFORD — A public meeting to review proposals for the State Pier's redevelopment is being planned for May.
MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank, manages the eight-acre pier property, which is owned by the state.
MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera stated in a communication to New Bedford legislators, "We are planning a public meeting in New Bedford at which all respondents will have an equal opportunity to make a public presentation explaining their respective proposals."
He said they were trying to finalize a date in May.
The proposals were released in summary form March 13
MassDevelopment released redevelopment proposals March 13 for the eight-acre site.
This is the second round of RFPs to be considered by MassDevelopment. Taber’s Wharf Partners was provisionally selected to redevelop the site by MassDevelopment in December 2022, but the deal fell through in August 2023.That RFP process was marked by criticism from local legislators that it lacked transparency and public input.
State Rep. William Straus, D-Mattapoisett, said MassDevelopment's willingness to hold the public meeting in May was "an improvement."
In a communication to Straus and New Bedford delegation Reps. Christopher Hendricks, Antonio Cabral, Paul Schmid, and Christopher Markey, Rivera said those submitting RFPs will also be allowed to release information.
MassDevelopment had initially prohibited respondents from discussing their proposals with the press, which the New Bedford delegation had referred to as a "gag order."
MassDevelopment to work with respondents on information release
Rivera said they would work with respondents to disclose accurate information.
He said the media restriction was standard for the agency to avoid inaccurate information from being released.
He added it's also intended to prevent respondents from attempting to influence the selection process unfairly.
Straus said allowing the proposals to be aired beforehand and then publicly reviewed in May "will be a great supplement to the process."
He added, "By the time we get to this public meeting in May people will have been able to think it through as to what's important and MassDevelopment will learn things."
The proposals being considered are:
Cuttyhunk Ferry Co. to continue providing ferry service to the Cuttyhunk Island;
Servedwell Hospitality for a 6,500-square-foot restaurant;
BASE Seafoods for seafood auction and off-loading facility, as well as the location of the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center and seafood market;
Coast Line Transfers for leasing and transformation of the East Wharf and Buildings 1 and 2, aiming to revitalize cargo operations and expand offshore wind support hub;
American Cruise Lines for New Bedford Cruise Gateway – a new facility designed to connect historic downtown to the water through the development of mixed-use recreational and commercial tourism facility;
New Bedford Foss Marine Terminal and PACE to support the offshore wind industry with a marine warehouse and technical training facility;
Seastreak Ferries for continued use of the North Wharf and East Wharf and development of a café and merchandise retail space.
An internal MassDevelopment review committee will consider the proposals and announce a selection, according to MassDevelopment. The committee could reject all proposals or extend the target deadline. MassDevelopment had initially stated a selection could come as early as this month or April.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford State Pier redevelopment proposals will be aired in May
