This change to Paragon Dunes project in Hull might just be the ticket
HULL – If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try, try, try again.
That very well could have been the motto for The Procopio Companies’ pitch to bring 132 apartments and 9,000 square feet of commercial space to Nantasket Avenue.
After presenting a fifth iteration of the Paragon Dunes project to the Hull planning board Wednesday evening, it appears the developer has made significant headway.
“I think this project has really come along,” Hull Planning Director Chris Dilorio said. “I see what you’re doing on Nantasket Avenue and I really think it’s going to be a game changer down there.”
Previous coverage: Could time run out for Paragon Dunes project? Tensions rise at latest Hull meeting
The planning board has not yet voted on the project, and the proposal is before the town’s conservation commission. But this time, planning board members were overall pleased with the architectural changes made, namely one that broke up the portion of the project along George Washington Boulevard.
It was a complete about-face from the tension-filled meeting just one week prior. The board and development team had butted heads over continued concerns about the project and a looming deadline.
The Procopio Companies has an agreement in place to buy the properties at 189 and 193 Nantasket Ave. from the current proprietors of the Paragon Boardwalk, but that all depends on if the project gets approval. The closing date is April 30, said David Roache, Procopio’s vice president of development, on Wednesday.
“The timeline stress that we’ve created from our business situation, unfortunately, that’s just a reality for us here. We heard feedback that that’s not a problem of the town or board, and it isn’t, it is our problem, but it’s a reality. And we’re sorry that that has created a bit of stress,” Roache said.
Last week, the team said it was prepared to “walk away” from the project if the planning board didn’t vote on the project soon, giving a veiled warning that a different developer may not be as cooperative.
But this week, with a newly tweaked design, the planning board’s praise outweighed its criticisms.
The biggest hurdle was the concern about a “wall effect” the project would have along George Washington Boulevard. The developer’s design team came back with a new two-story pass-through under the residential portion of the project, which will open up views between the bay and ocean. There is one existing pass-through planned by the Art Walk.
The team took inspiration from the Nantasket Beach Resort, as requested by the planning board. The change will result in a loss of five parking spaces for the project.
Some residents still took issue with the design, saying it didn’t fit in with Hull. Other concerns included the amount of parking spaces, truck deliveries to the site and the use of renewable energy.
The discussion will continue March 20 at 7:30 p.m.
The history of Paragon Park
Paragon Park, which was built before the Civil War by the New Haven Railroad, opened it's amusement park in 1905. It survived fires, wars, storms and economic downturns. It operated until the end of the 1984 season. When it was sold in 1985 to a condominium development group, the park had been in the family of Larry and Phyllis Stone for 65 years.
More: A trip back to the 'Playground of New England'
The Paragon Carousel, which was saved from the auction block in 1985 and continues to operate, was added in 1928. The carousel is the single remaining ride from the old amusement park.
Hannah Morse covers growth and development for The Patriot Ledger. Contact her at hmorse@patriotledger.com.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Paragon Dunes developer presents 5th plan to Hull board
