Everett Avenue’s transformation has gained considerable attention across the region and beyond Chelsea’s borders.
As that district continues its expansion, City Manager Jay Ash indicated this week that municipal planning efforts would shift their attention to another potential development zone: the Marginal Street corridor, positioned to become Chelsea’s next major growth area.
Within the coming weeks, the City intends to issue a request for proposals (RFP) seeking an examination of the Marginal Street corridor, which borders Chelsea Creek directly. This initiative follows a recent application submitted by investors seeking City approval for a hotel project on currently unoccupied property near the start of Marginal Street, situated near the recently completed Chelsea Street Bridge.
According to Ash, “We met with stakeholders about 18 months ago, and decided that we needed to bring on a consultant to help us think about the future of the waterfront,” “Certainly the news that a hotel is eager to be an anchor on Central and Eastern Avenues is great news and tells us that our hopes for a higher end waterfront is possible. The new park that Eastern Minerals is creating and the pier that Harold Kalick has restored are great infrastructure additions, as is the Chelsea Street Bridge.”
While Ash acknowledged certain encouraging developments already underway along the street, he cautioned that reaching the level of prosperity achieved on Everett Avenue likely requires considerable time.
“We may be five or even 10 years away from the start of a true transformation there, but it has worked on Everett Avenue and we are equally as confident that something special can happen on the waterfront some day,” Ash stated.