Walnut Street Park gets 9 thumbs up from City Council!

Lynn Item: Peabody council OKs purchase of vacated property
Salem News: Council OKs park to revive fouled lot
Salem News Editorial: Green replaces industrial grime in Peabody

Well despite the silly grandstanding protestations of Councilor Mello, and the NO vote from both him and Councilor Sinewitz. the saner minds on the City Council passed the measure and now the City can fully pursue the property.

This is a great opportunity for the neighborhood and the downtown area in general. Let's hope that this is just the first move in a rethinking of what the City of Peabody can do for its citizens and its downtown.

Walnut Street Park Still Smart Choice

The Salem News has one again decided to show it's love for all things Peabody...

The Salem News: Council ponders park on cut-rate, polluted parcel

I am not quite sure why the Salem News feels the need to portray the situation in the worst possible manner... Perhaps they are jealous that Peabody is getting some small percentage of the massive amount of money the State and Feds pump into Salem each and every year... But you rarely see the SNews call for a rejection of any home town funds.But in this case we already have an existing problem...
> a derelict, run-down, polluted and dangerous parcel of land

Without any possible hope for a solution...
> the owner has been unable to interest any buyers, has no plans to deal with the safety and pollution issues and the City seems to have no legal recourse against the owner either

Except for an intervention by the City...
> which will be paid for with (at least) 60% State funding for the purchase

Purchasing the property...
> at a huge savings due to both the conditions (polluted) and the economy

And redeveloping it into a New Park (in an area of the City that can really use some help) and a (small) flood retention basin in a flood prone area
> with (potentially) much of the clean-up costs being borne by State and Federal clean-up grants only available to municipal properties

So.... let's consider this again...

The Owner gets to sell his troubled land
.. he wins
....He will then have the money to pay the back taxes (if any)
.... city wins
......The dangerous conditions at the site will be removed
....... neighborhood wins
.........The City will get reimbursed 60%+ for the purchase price
......... city wins
............The City will decontaminate the site
............. neighborhood wins
................The City will (potentially) be reimbursed for the clean-up costs
................. city wins
....................The City will build a new park
..................... neighborhood wins
.......................The Riverwalk will have a major connection point created
........................ city wins
...........................One parcel of crappy dangerous unused land will become a place for everyone to enjoy
_____WE ALL WIN_____

Bike Path Work Stops - Will Restart in Spring

The Lynn Item: Peabody bike path work comes to halt

The bike path seems to be well on its way to completion. I have heard from many folks now who tell me they have already begun using the trail (in the snow) for both cross country skiing and snow shoeing.

Frankly I am not one who relishes hours of frigid trekking through the snow, especially not for fun! But I am looking forward to spring and walking the bike path. Folks have told me that they didn't know Peabody was so beautiful as they traversed the ponds and pathways. Even folks who are frequent Brooksby visitors tell me the bike path is going to be the best thing the City has done in years.

HECK... I might even need to fix up that old derelict bike in the garage.

City to consider Open Space for Endicott St. Site

So the City Council is now considering leaving the old school admin building as open space. But this was not the best idea for a few councilors.

Here is the link to the Salem News story.
Here is the link to the Lynn Item story.

And my favorite was Gamache who wishes to protect the neighborhood from the evils of a local park? Or Liacos who doesn't think businesses can coexist with condos and homes in this neighborhood... I mean what about the Berry Street Garage that has been there forever? Ann Manning is the only one who seems to be living in the present on this situation.

So... what do you think should be done with this parcel?