Town of Westport receives $249,00 Grant
for Head of Westport Landing Improvements
The Town of Westport has received of grant support from the Seaport Economic Council in the amount of $249,000 to pay for improvements to the Head Landing on Old County Rd. This proposal will fulfill the improvements to the area, as outlined in the comprehensive site plan created by the Westport River Watershed Alliance, and approved by the town Planning Board in the fall of 2015. This proposal was prepared by Jim Hartnett and Lucy Tabit of the Westport Planning Board and is supported by the Westport Landing Commission and the Westport Board of Selectmen.
The project vision is
to restore and support an active Town Landing by restoring historic features, and improving public amenities including access to Landing property and the East Branch of the Westport River, handicap accessibility, parking, lighting and seating. These improvements along with parking and stormwater management will support educational and water-based recreational opportunities for the community and the local tourism economy.
From Left: Westport Town Planner Jim Hartnett, Landing Commission Chairman Carl Tripp, Town Administrator Tim King, Planning Board Chairman Jim Whitin, Member of Massachusetts Seaport Economic Council Sam Mundel, Assistant Town Planner Lucy Tabit, WRWA Executive Director Deborah Weaver, State Representative Paul Schmid, WRWA Board President Tom Schmitt.
The Head Landing
is an area of town that has undergone an economic revival, with 2 thriving businesses and the pending addition of WRWA's planned River Center. A key component of sustaining the local economy is closely associated with the river: recreational boating and enjoyment of the outdoors. Improvements to the Head Landing will rehabilitate a blighted area, mitigate storm water run-off, improve the health of the river and provide enhanced facilities and attractive visitor areas for both the town and visitors from other communities.
About the Seaport Economic Council:
As part of the Baker-Polito Administration's commitment to promote prosperity in communities of all sizes as well as to cultivate job and economic growth in the maritime economic sector, the Seaport Advisory Council has been revitalized
under Executive Order 564 and is now known as the Seaport Economic Council.
The Seaport Economic Council, chaired by the Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth and administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development with support from the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs,
will challenge the 78 coastal communities of Massachusetts to leverage their unique geographic advantages in order to grow jobs and the economy as well as prepare for the future as we confront the challenges posed by sea level rise and increasingly powerful coastal storms.
What the Seaport Grant will accomplish:
♦
Restore an historic town Landing which has fallen into
disrepair
♦
Regrade the site to improve storm water management
Improve constructed wetlands & increase runoff mitigation
♦
Improve River access
♦
Create safer driving and parking p
atterns to enhance
public safety
♦
Provide ADA accessibility to the River
♦
Enhance opportunities for water-based recreational
programs
♦
Increase public education and awareness of watershed
and river protection
♦
Beautify and make entire sit
e more visitor friendly
|
