How does this impact the local fishermen and lobstermen? Will they still have access to the water? Can they store their traps?
As part of the project Pier 58 Gloucester would work with City officials and the Waterways Board to see that the bulkhead would get fixed, lighting would be added and that the general situation on I4C2 A would be improved. In addition, we propose that the lobstermen would have two access entryways instead of the one that is there now and we would work to retain their reserved parking. Pier 58 Gloucester would also work to see that the most efficient, safe, and easily accessible method of moving and retrieving traps on site is guaranteed.
How does this benefit local businesses?
Pier 58 Gloucester would encourage people to use local restaurants, hotels and shops on a year-round basis. Pier 58 Gloucester would be used for conferences and for entertainment. Many attendees would stay for multiple days, helping support the local economy.
How does this support the working class?
New jobs, at the prevailing union wage, would be created to build, maintain and operate the facility. Training sessions are another big part of the Pier 58 Gloucester mission with an emphasis on the fishing industry.
Will this still be a working waterfront? How?
Pier 58 Gloucester would enhance lobstermen’s access to the parking lot, bulkhead, docks and vessels. Pier 58 Gloucester would contribute yearly to the marine industrial infrastructure and would celebrate Gloucester’s marine heritage. I4C2B, where Pier 58 Gloucester would be built, is a landlocked parcel of land.
Will there be any greenspace with this project?
Yes, both outside and inside the building.
Why this? Why now? Why here?
A group of dedicated Gloucester residents have stepped up to make this happen to benefit the city of Gloucester.
How will it benefit Gloucester residents?
Pier 58 Gloucester would be a hub of activity. There would be something for everyone, including students, businesses, and local residents by offering training for fishermen, conferences, concerts, theater and dance performances as well as art display spaces and cooking demonstrations.
What is a test kitchen?
A test is a kitchen that can be used to test recipes and do demonstrations of how to cook local Gloucester seafood to tradespeople and potential customers as well as local residents and students.
How will this benefit the youth of Gloucester?
The Gloucester schools would be able to use the theaters for performances and events. There would also be culinary arts and hospitality opportunities as well as back of the house theater training and internships.
Why is the building so tall? Won’t it impact the harbor views we already enjoy?
The building would attract people to the harbor and provide them with comfortable places to sit and enjoy a year-round view of the working harbor from both inside the building and at the water’s edge.
How did you come up with the building’s design?
The building is designed by Alan Joslin and Deborah Epstein of Epstein Joslin Architects, the same architects who designed the Shalin Liu Performance center in Rockport. Pier 58 Gloucester is designed to fit in with the industrial buildings that are situated on Gloucester’s Harbor.
We all know sea levels are rising, will this building flood?
The Pier 58 Gloucester building would be built on pilings to withstand flooding, raising the first-floor level 15 to 18 feet above the Current Base Flood Elevation. The Beauport Hotel was built with the same feature and also has ground level parking.
How are you going to pay for this building?
Private donations would provide most of the funding for this building.
Are tax dollars going towards the building?
There won't be any city tax dollars used for this project. There may be some state and federal cultural and arts related grants but the vast majority would come from private donations.
Who will maintain this building since it’s located on city-owned land?
The Gloucester Cultural and Civic Center is a 501C3 non-profit organization that would maintain and operate the building. There is a board of directors made up of local Gloucester people to oversee the maintenance and care.
If it’s a non-profit, that means there won’t be any tax revenue for the city. How is that a benefit to Gloucester?
Pier 58 Gloucester would benefit many businesses in Gloucester by bringing in additional business, sales and meals tax revenue. It would also have a ticket surcharge which would generate $100,000 to $200,000 per year, all of which would go directly to the fishing industry. Pier 58 Gloucester would host national and international conferences on the Blue Economy. These conferences would help bring off-season visitor to Gloucester and put our community at the forefront of the discussion.
We already have enough performance spaces on the North Shore. Why another one?
There are very few conference venues on the North Shore. This building is designed to be flexible and accommodate many different needs and interests. Both The Cabot and Boch Center are very excited at the possibilities of presenting here.
Where is the proposed parking for this building?
There would be more parking spaces than there are now. Since Pier 58 Gloucester would be built on pilings, there will be parking beneath the building, similar to the Cape Ann Savings Bank across the street and the nearby Beauport Hotel. There would also be provisions for additional nearby parking to give people access to the space and downtown.
How will it impact traffic in downtown Gloucester?
Since the primary use will be in the evening it would have little impact on daytime travel through Gloucester.
Why is the project so expensive?
This would be a public building, built to last and withstand climate change. It is designed according to all ADA and other standards, built at prevailing union wages. We have secured cost estimates from Windover Construction who is well experienced in Gloucester Harbor construction.
How can you propose this in a designated port area?
This site has been either underutilized or empty for 60 years. We are envisioning what would be self-sustainable and also good for Gloucester.
The property belongs to the City. How can a group of private citizens propose this?
We are proposing a long-term lease so that the City of Gloucester retains control.
What will be considered the entities that are part of the fishing industry and infrastructure?
At this point we do not know, but are open to suggestions from residents and the City. We are envisioning a grant process with a committee who decides what projects to fund on an annual basis.
Wouldn't this be impossible with the current zoning for this land that states a good percentage of it must go to "marine/industrial" use?
Pier 58 Gloucester would work with the City to comply with or amend present standards that have historically restricted and left this property largely vacant and underutilized for 60 years.
Why did you call it “Pier 58”?
The site used to be known as Wharf 58 when it was a fish processing facility. The name honors the maritime history of the site.
Will there be wealthy people making money off this?
There are no owner or owners as this is a 501©3 non-profit corporation. No one person, persons or company will be making money off Pier 58 Gloucester.