What belongs on New Bedford State Pier? Here is what's proposed.
NEW BEDFORD - A new "boat-to-table" seafood restaurant proposed for State Pier would employ 125 at peak season and bring thousands of people downtown.
That's according to Servedwell Hospitality owner Steve Silverstein, who is proposing the new 6,500-square-foot restaurant that would seat 300, and feature roof-deck dining and two bars.
It would represent a $5 million investment by Servedwell Hospitality.
Silverstein made one of the seven presentations Monday night of what's being proposed for the eight-acre State Pier's redevelopment.
Meeting was held at New Bedford Whaling Museum
The meeting at the New Bedford Whaling Museum was hosted by MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank, which manages the state-owned property.
A MassDevelopment review committee will review the proposals and make recommendations.
The committee could recommend accepting the proposals in total or partially - none of which are mutually exclusive - or reject them all. Leases for successful RFPS could run up to 35 years.
In addition to the restaurant, proposals include:
BASE Seafoods for seafood auction and off-loading facility, as well as the location of the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center and seafood market. The BASE Seafoods proposal would open its fish and scallop auction and seafood market to the public, while providing a satellite location for the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center for tours. It represents a $15 million investment, according to the proposal;
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 a mixed-use recreational and commercial tourism facility. It's the largest operator of U.S. cruise ships and it focuses on small towns with big history, according to the proposal;
New Bedford Foss Marine Terminal and PACE to support the offshore wind industry with a marine warehouse and technical training facility. While Foss would be using the warehouse space, PACE would be providing a training facility that would teach how to work in the wind industry;
Seastreak Ferries for continued use of the North Wharf and East Wharf for ferry service to Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, as well as development of a café and merchandise retail space;
Cuttyhunk Ferry Co. to continue providing ferry service to the Cuttyhunk Island. Cuttyhunk Ferry Co. presented in partnership with Buzzards Bay Coalition and the town of Gosnold. Cuttyhunk is the municipal seat of Gosnold, which is the smallest town in the state. The Cuttyhunk Ferry is a vital connection to the mainland, providing transport for residents but also day trip tourists, postal service, food and freight delivery.
The public airing of the proposals was a departure from the RFP process in 2022 where the proposals were kept confidential by MassDevelopment. A proposal stemming from that go-round fell through in 2023.
That process was criticized by New Bedford legislators, including Sen. Mark Montigny, who has supported the pier's redevelopment since 2008, spearheading state bonding authorizations and the law necessary to redevelop the site.
Delays have been frustrating
He said Monday that the delays have been frustrating but recent delays were necessary to insure the redevelopment was done right. He said that MassDevelopment had taken the earlier criticism seriously, which would help in redeveloping "this tremendous asset."
Mayor Jon Mitchell praised those who submitted proposals. "They stuck their necks out," he said, though the last RFP process fell through. He said they were motivated not just by profit but by their belief in the city.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford State Pier redevelopment plans unveiled. What to know.
