Consultant gives report on vision for future of Lynn's downtown

By David Liscio and Thor Jourgensen --The Daily Item

Friday, November 19, 2004

LYNN -- It's seen as the ultimate fix-it - a long-range plan to rejuvenate the city's downtown business district by capitalizing on the expertise of a team of consultants who've worked on similar projects.

RKG Associates, a private consulting group that hosted two workshops for government, business and community leaders last spring and summer, joined City Development Director Harold "Hal" McGaughey in releasing those findings in a preliminary report that shows Lynn as a city with potential to reinvent itself.

McGaughey and those experts shared their findings and vision Thursday at the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce's breakfast meeting attended by downtown movers and shakers.

"The recommendations are consistent with our focus," said McGaughey. "We want to bring the downtown back to what is once was - a thriving place to work, shop, and live."

RKG suggests re-establishing a link between the waterfront and the downtown business district; strengthening the downtown core at Central Square; building upon and connecting the open spaces at Lynn Commons and at North Shore Community College.

The plan also recommended zoning changes including elimination of industrial and automotive uses in the Central Business District; elimination of industry on the waterfront; establishment of consistent zoning throughout the downtown and waterfront neighborhoods; increase density incentives by adding upper floors to existing buildings or constructing taller new buildings.

"We need to set the building blocks: In order for the long-term goals to be successful, we first have to see to the short-term projects," McGaughey said.

Lynn's recent receipt of a $830,000 state public works economic development grant will aid the city in putting forth many of the recommendations. The money will help with improvements to the downtown block including new curbing, sidewalks, trees, fencing and antique lighting.

RKG suggested a long-term goal of developing 500 or more additional market-rate housing units; strengthening the office, cultural and retail sectors; expanding the community college; and upgrading public transportation, either by extending the Blue Line rapid-transit rail from Revere to Lynn, or creating a water ferry service from Lynn to Boston.