ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
The gate to the ferry dock still remains closed.
BY THOMAS GRILLO
LYNN — The lack of ferry service on the North Shore this summer is not only an inconvenience to riders but is sure to hurt home sales, according to brokers.
Real estate agents selling downtown condominiums say without the ferry potential buyers could be deterred from making a purchase.
“Not having ferry service this year is serious because it hurts efforts to enhance the downtown and attract buyers,” said Annemarie Jonah, of Annmarie Jonah Realtors in Lynn. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s a bad decision that hurts us in Lynn and hurts everyone.”
Earlier this month, the Baker administration denied Lynn’s request for about $700,000 in operating expenses for the ferry to sail for a third summer. As result of the controversial decision, about 15,000 former ferry riders are back on the commuter rail, taking the bus to the Blue Line or driving to Boston.
But real estate salespersons say the impact is much larger. They say one selling point for condos, the 30-minute ferry to Boston, has to be removed from their MLS Property Information Network listings.
Sharon Toner, an agent at Toner Real Estate, who is listing a one-bedroom unit on Lynn Shore Drive for $174,900, said having a ferry nearby was a big selling point.
“It takes so long to get anywhere, especially in downtown Lynn, even to the commuter rail,” she said. “It would obviously be very helpful to have another means of transportation to get out of the city.”
Laura Previer, an agent at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, and a Lynn resident, who has the listing for a $214,900 condo on Munroe Street, said the unit is especially good for someone without a car since the unit does not come with a parking space.
“I think the ferry will help sales,” she said. “Any type of transportation other than taking your own car is a plus. The commuter rail right behind the building is a big selling point and so would the ferry.”
Arthur Pappathanasi, the co-developer of the former Beacon Chevrolet site on the Lynnway where plans for the 14-acre site include 355 waterfront apartments steps from the ferry landing, said he hopes the service can be saved.
“The ferry is something that will enhance our project and be beneficial to tenants since its is just a few minutes away,” he said.
Sen. Thomas McGee (D-Lynn) has been an advocate for the ferry and can’t understand why the state refused to come up the money to operate the boat given its two-year record of success.
“Why not a ferry to Boston?”
Thomas Grillo can be reached at [email protected]
