To the editor:
The recent decision regarding the future of the Hawthorne property marks an important moment for our community. For many residents, the building is more than real estate. It is an iconic part of Swampscott’s waterfront and a place that should reflect the creativity, diversity, and energy of our town.
I submitted a proposal during the RFP process. My concept, “Limited Time Only,” envisioned the site as a temporary craft beverage hall and community gathering space designed specifically to test ideas. The goal was simple: Allow Swampscott to experiment with programming, events, and uses of the property before committing to a permanent path.
The proposal was intentionally structured as a flexible concept — one that could host charity events, youth sports fundraisers, concerts, food trucks, local breweries, and community gatherings. It was meant to be a place where the town itself could help determine what works on that waterfront and what does not.
First, I want to congratulate the Swampscott Performing Arts Center on being selected and wish them the best of luck with their efforts. Any organization willing to invest time and energy into improving a community asset deserves recognition. That said, in my view, their proposal appeared more narrowly focused and offered more limited programming compared to what could have been achieved with a broader community activation concept.
Instead, the Select Board chose a different path.
While I respect the effort that goes into public decision-making, I was disappointed that the board appeared to focus primarily on financial projections rather than on the broader question of feasibility and experimentation. Sometimes the most responsible thing a town can do with a complicated property is allow the community to try different ideas and learn from them.
The Hawthorne site offered a rare opportunity to do exactly that.
A temporary concept could have allowed Swampscott to gather real-world data: What kinds of events work on the waterfront? What level of activity do residents want? What balance of dining, culture, and recreation best serves the town? Those answers are difficult to predict on paper, but they become clear quickly when a space is activated and the public participates.
I was also disappointed to hear concerns raised about the use of the outdoor space surrounding the property. In my view, any long-term vision for this site should be embracing outdoor use, not discouraging it. The Hawthorne property offers one of the most remarkable views of the Boston skyline anywhere on the North Shore, and the outdoor space is arguably the greatest asset the site has. Future planning should lean into that opportunity rather than shy away from it.
Instead of treating the site as a laboratory for the community, the process ultimately appeared to prioritize the highest dollar figure.
That outcome is particularly frustrating in a town where residents are regularly asked to shoulder rising taxes and support municipal spending. When taxpayers are asked to invest more in their community, it is reasonable to expect that the town will also invest in creativity, experimentation, and public engagement.
I want to recognize Select Board member David Grishman, who at least raised thoughtful questions during the process and demonstrated a willingness to examine the proposals more deeply.
My disappointment is not about one proposal winning or losing. That is part of any competitive process. It is about the larger question of whether Swampscott is willing to take thoughtful risks and allow the community itself to help shape the future of important spaces.
The Hawthorne property deserved that opportunity.
Imagine what might have been possible: sunset charity events overlooking the Boston skyline, youth sports fundraisers, local breweries and food vendors, community concerts, and a place where residents themselves could help shape what the waterfront becomes. A temporary, flexible concept could have allowed Swampscott to test ideas, gather feedback, and let the community determine what truly works before locking in a long-term vision.
Even though this proposal was not selected, I hope the conversation about the future of the Hawthorne — and about how we approach opportunities like it — is far from over. Swampscott deserves a waterfront that reflects the full energy, creativity, and participation of its community.
Sincerely,
Michael P. Kelleher
