Major step cleared for New Bedford terminal

NEW BEDFORD — The City Council voted unanimously Thursday to approve a land swap that would help consolidate property for possible building at the South Terminal site.
“I think it’s a positive thing for the waterfront,” At-Large Councilor John Saunders said Wednesday. “Having not seen the overlay, it sounds positive and it’s probably a win-win for the city.”
The deal exchanges about two acres of city property on South Rodney French Boulevard for about three acres on the South Terminal site that belongs to the Division of Marine Fisheries.
It represents a small part of the proposed 28.25-acre project, which officials hope will be the staging ground for the offshore wind industry and bring 1,000 new jobs to the region.
The DMF acquired the land in 2005 and spent the last few years cleaning the space of toxins.
“We put a lot of time and effort into it, but when you step back and look at the big picture this is a fantastic opportunity for the city,” DMF fiscal officer Kevin Creighton said Wednesday, adding that he had been discussing an exchange for about a year. “We’re able to build everything that we need to.”
The Legislature must also approve the swap in a two-thirds roll call vote by July 31.
“I’ve already drafted the bill I’m going to file,” Sen. Mark C.W. Montigny said Wednesday, adding that he was hopeful it would pass despite an end-of-session crunch.
“Although everyone is celebrating, I think of it as an exciting future project that still needs a lot of money … This is only one step in the process.”
Original Title: Council approves South Terminal swap
By NATALIE SHERMAN nsherman@s-t.com
July 20, 2012 12:00 AM
Source URL: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120720/NEWS/207200326/-1/NEWS01