Property transfer for ferry project nears approval

LYNN – The Public Property Committee unanimously approved a transfer of the city owned Blossom Street Waterfront Facility to the Economic Development & Industrial Corporation (EDIC) Tuesday, to speed up the process of the redevelopment project.The City Council will discuss the transfer at an upcoming public hearing to make a final determination.If approved, the EDIC will essentially preside over the project, but the City Council put a series of stipulations in place for EDIC to work with the city as a partnership on the project.The conditions include that the land, which falls within the Lynn designated port area, cannot be put up for sale, sold, or leased without the approval of the City Council; all future proceeds or income from the sale/lease of the property will go directly into the city of Lynn general fund; any and all uses of the property by any entity, including the EDIC, must be approved by the City Council, and the EDIC will notify the council, in writing of each step of development simultaneously with the event.City Council President Timothy Phelan said the pending transfer is a good example of different departments at city hall working together.?I think it?s important for the council to maintain oversight, but we don?t want to impede funding,” he said. “It?s basically to make sure things go in the right direction.”City officials hope the $3.2 million ferry project will make the city a more attractive place to live because commuters would be able to quickly access the city of Boston with a 16-minute ride.In December, the Massachusetts Seaport Advisory Council approved $750,000 in funding to create the ferry and improve a stretch of waterfront land on Blossom Street Extension.Currently underused and in disrepair, EDIC Executive Director James Cowdell said the Blossom Street updates would most likely begin in the spring.?After the land transfer takes place, we will start demolishing the building and that is when people will start to see progress,” he said. “So I would say within 60 days.”The $750,000 in funding will be used for the first phase of the three- phase project, which includes constructing a bulkhead and dock at the end of Blossom Street extension and parking.The end result would ultimately create a pier large enough to house three vessels and a commuter ferry boat ramp for access.A similar ferry in Salem was used as a model for the Lynn project.