On Thursday, January 25^th, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $840,000 in state funding directed to the city of Amesbury as part of the Supportive Coastal Infrastructure and Local Maritime Economic Development Planning grants program that supports economic growth in coastal communities. Five other communities including the Town of Fall River, Town of Falmouth, Town of Milton, Town of Provincetown, Town of Scituate, were also awarded grants as part of the $2 million earmark.

Amesbury Police Chief, Craig Bailey, and Director of Community and Economic Development, Nick Cracknell, co-wrote the application that was submitted to the State as part of a plan to improve recreational access to the Merrimac River and support potential economic development along the waterfront. Mayor Kassandra Gove and Chief Bailey were at the State House on Thursday advocating for the funds, along with State Representative, Dawne Shand.

Along with the application came written letters of support in the form of matching funds from two local marinas that utilize the boat ramp. Both John Jay McPartland, owner of the Marina at Hatter’s Point and Dan Healey, owner of the Marina at Amesbury Point committed funds to be utilized in the design, permitting, and future maintenance of the maritime support facility. Marc Frontiero, owner of Goodwin Creek Marina, also provided a letter of support which was included in the proposal.

The Washington Landing boat ramp serves as Amesbury’s only public access to the river, and with increased recreational use and supporting four surrounding marina businesses, it has deteriorated over the years. 

The project submitted for the grant includes the shoreline restoration and revitalization of the Washington Landing Maritime Support Facility along the Merrimack River in Amesbury. The four main capital components of the project include: replacement of the boat ramp; addition of approx. 900 SF of landside boardwalk area to support the harbormaster office and access to the boat ramp; installation of a gangway and 100-foot finger dock for the boat ramp facility and transient vessels; and improvements to the parking area and restoration of the living shoreline adjacent the boat ramp. 

“Amesbury currently has four large commercial marinas along the banks of the Merrimack River. Improvements proposed for the Landing will directly support operations of the existing marinas and will offer opportunities for transient boaters to visit Amesbury. Additionally, the abutting marina (located at 2 Merrimac Street) is currently proposing to invest more than $5m in site improvements including a new 85-seat, full-service restaurant facility, and a marina operation building. Thus, these two projects will completely transform and reactivate this historic site and gateway location at the junction of the Powwow and Merrimack Rivers”, said Nick Cracknell, Director of Community and Economic Development. 

This funding follows the Merrimack Regional Transit Authority’s (MeVa) recently awarded grant to activate a water-based transit system on the Merrimack River where they have identified Amesbury’s boat ramp as a potential docking location. It also aligns with the city of Amesbury’s commitment to water safety by expanding the Harbormaster Program, including the purchase of a new boat.

Amesbury Police Chief, Craig Bailey said, “I’m incredibly proud of all the hard work and dedication the Amesbury Harbormasters before me have committed to which has mostly, if not entirely been, done on a volunteer basis.  In my humble opinion this grant is a small token of both the city and the State’s appreciation for their commitment to the City of Amesbury. I can’t wait to see what this huge change on Amesbury’s waterfront is going to do for the rest of the city!”

"This grant is a huge win for Amesbury", said Mayor Kassandra Gove. "The improvements to the Washington Landing boat ramp funded by this earmark, and the proposed development of the adjacent marina, will be transformative for that area and will provide safe access to the Merrimack and foster economic growth. This was a truly collaborative effort between city departments, advocacy from Representative Dawne Shand, and financial commitments from some of the local marinas in support of the project. I’d also like to thank Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll for their continued support of our city.”