We, the undersigned members of the Greater Cambridge community, urge the Cambridge City Council to take public opinion into consideration when moving forward on the redevelopment of the Sailwinds Marine Terminal property.
A survey conducted, and opinions voiced through the OPERATION: Destination Cambridge facebook page threads, overwhelmingly indicate that the citizens of Cambridge and Dorchester county FAVOR a new venue/community center, and, possibly a maritime school, a ferry/transportation terminal, commercial industrial development, or a first-class restaurant (possibly tied to a venue). The same survey and opinions overwhelmingly indicate the community DOES NOT FAVOR ANY development that includes condominiums or a hotel.
We encourage the council to explore options and to work with a developer who can deliver a plan that reflects what the community wants for the long term economic, commercial and recreational benefit of Greater Cambridge, and does not block or restrict public accessibility in any way. Several of these options can give any project viability.
Further, we believe that any development to the Sailwinds property should be an attraction: Hotels and condos are not an attraction in and of themselves - they are a place to stay when you visit attractions.
We feel that we only have one shot at developing this prime piece of waterfront real estate, and it should be done exceptionally.
Thank you for your efforts to this end.
Updates
January 7, 2015
im still seeing so many people talk about how the waterfront needs to be for the community and not just another place for tourists to stay. it really confirms that we are all on the same page about wanting a venue or school instead of more condos. ill be watching the next council meeting closely to see if they are actually listening to us.
January 7, 2015
the momentum behind this is honestly wild and shows just how much we all care about our waterfront. it is clear the council has to listen to us now because we arent backing down.
35 Comments
112 High Street. Area should be green space and/ or playing fields. Do nothing that will detract from Main Street. N o condos or hotels.
I am adamantly opposed to putting a hotel, residential units and/or retail on the Sailwinds property. The City needs to focus on improving and revitalizing the historic downtown before selling-out the waterfront to a developer.
seems to me that there are quite a few empty eye sores on rt. 50 that could be made into restaurants and hotels if that is what the city council wants. Leave than area a space for the people to enjoy. How many vacant buildings remain downtown? Except for Waterfowl and Eagleman you can't fill the hotels now.
The sad part about this upcoming development is that no matter what the public and tax payers of both the City of Cambridge and Dorchester County say. The City Council will only do what is most economically viable for themselves and there ego's. As a former board member of Sailwinds I find it extremely sad that they really do not care what the people think but only what does their ego and pockets the best. Look at the members and see for yourself.
Eventhough loated within the city limits, Sailwinds is a COUNTY venue. No decision should be made without input from the people of Dorchester County. That location s probably the premeire waterfront location on the Bay. To bring in more condos and another waterfront hotel will not how well for the county when the buildings are empty. This proposed project is more about egs and commissions than it is common sense
As a property owner, former resident, and former city commissioner, I would like to LOUDLY oppose any proposal that puts development of Sailwinds entirely in the hands of private developers, especially if the best they can come up with is more condominiums. In 2009 I facilitated the Waterfront 2020 design charette, and at no point during that day-long process did any of the souls gathered agree that giving away Sailwinds was a good idea. Especially in the aftermath of the Deep Harbour debacle when in 2003, Cambridge commissioners Walt Travers, Ed Watkins, and Al Atkinson, all now deceased, made a horrible decision at the goading of former Mayor Cleveland Rippons to give away the east side of Cambridge Creek to a couple of shady developers. This project closed off the waterfront with an iron gate, and clogged the land with ugly, empty, and largely valueless buildings. Instead of becoming the heart and soul of our city, our precious waterfront became an ATM for a couple of carpetbaggers, and a ghost town for us. (Needless to say, I and Commissioner Larry Bohlen argued loudly against this plan, and voted against it, but the city let three dead men determine our future). The developers never followed through with their empty promises of commercial activity on the site (SURPRISE!) and the development, with it's iron bars and "No Trespassing" signs, has done NOTHING to invigorate investment in the surrounding neighborhoods, exactly as Larry and I predicted. Sailwinds needs to be a carefully planned mixed use area, should take full advantage of the deep water pier (Cruise boat terminal? Bay tours? Visiting tall ships? Hello?) a waterfront performing arts venue, shopping and dining that complements, not compromises our downtown, and a limited number of residences that provide a vibrant place to live similar to Annapolis' waterfront area. I also support the idea that the marine industry, which supports our unique seafood and maritime economy, should b
Choptank Ave.
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We, the undersigned members of the Greater Cambridge community, urge the Cambridge City Council to take public opinion into consideration when moving forward on the redevelopment of the Sailwinds Marine Terminal property.
A survey conducted, and opinions voiced through the OPERATION: Destination Cambridge facebook page threads, overwhelmingly indicate that the citizens of Cambridge and Dorchester county FAVOR a new venue/community center, and, possibly a maritime school, a ferry/transportation terminal, commercial industrial development, or a first-class restaurant (possibly tied to a venue). The same survey and opinions overwhelmingly indicate the community DOES NOT FAVOR ANY development that includes condominiums or a hotel.
We encourage the council to explore options and to work with a developer who can deliver a plan that reflects what the community wants for the long term economic, commercial and recreational benefit of Greater Cambridge, and does not block or restrict public accessibility in any way. Several of these options can give any project viability.
Further, we believe that any development to the Sailwinds property should be an attraction: Hotels and condos are not an attraction in and of themselves - they are a place to stay when you visit attractions.
We feel that we only have one shot at developing this prime piece of waterfront real estate, and it should be done exceptionally.
Thank you for your efforts to this end.
Updates
January 7, 2015
im still seeing so many people talk about how the waterfront needs to be for the community and not just another place for tourists to stay. it really confirms that we are all on the same page about wanting a venue or school instead of more condos. ill be watching the next council meeting closely to see if they are actually listening to us.
January 7, 2015
the momentum behind this is honestly wild and shows just how much we all care about our waterfront. it is clear the council has to listen to us now because we arent backing down.
35 Comments
What draws people to Cambridge, MD now is its history and resources. An essential element of the city is its location on the water and its maritime role, currently and in the past. Let's not loose the defining maritime character of Cambridge that makes it so unique, brings in commerce and provides employment.
112 High Street. Area should be green space and/ or playing fields. Do nothing that will detract from Main Street. N o condos or hotels.
I am adamantly opposed to putting a hotel, residential units and/or retail on the Sailwinds property. The City needs to focus on improving and revitalizing the historic downtown before selling-out the waterfront to a developer.
seems to me that there are quite a few empty eye sores on rt. 50 that could be made into restaurants and hotels if that is what the city council wants. Leave than area a space for the people to enjoy. How many vacant buildings remain downtown? Except for Waterfowl and Eagleman you can't fill the hotels now.
The sad part about this upcoming development is that no matter what the public and tax payers of both the City of Cambridge and Dorchester County say. The City Council will only do what is most economically viable for themselves and there ego's. As a former board member of Sailwinds I find it extremely sad that they really do not care what the people think but only what does their ego and pockets the best. Look at the members and see for yourself.
Eventhough loated within the city limits, Sailwinds is a COUNTY venue. No decision should be made without input from the people of Dorchester County. That location s probably the premeire waterfront location on the Bay. To bring in more condos and another waterfront hotel will not how well for the county when the buildings are empty. This proposed project is more about egs and commissions than it is common sense
As a property owner, former resident, and former city commissioner, I would like to LOUDLY oppose any proposal that puts development of Sailwinds entirely in the hands of private developers, especially if the best they can come up with is more condominiums. In 2009 I facilitated the Waterfront 2020 design charette, and at no point during that day-long process did any of the souls gathered agree that giving away Sailwinds was a good idea. Especially in the aftermath of the Deep Harbour debacle when in 2003, Cambridge commissioners Walt Travers, Ed Watkins, and Al Atkinson, all now deceased, made a horrible decision at the goading of former Mayor Cleveland Rippons to give away the east side of Cambridge Creek to a couple of shady developers. This project closed off the waterfront with an iron gate, and clogged the land with ugly, empty, and largely valueless buildings. Instead of becoming the heart and soul of our city, our precious waterfront became an ATM for a couple of carpetbaggers, and a ghost town for us. (Needless to say, I and Commissioner Larry Bohlen argued loudly against this plan, and voted against it, but the city let three dead men determine our future). The developers never followed through with their empty promises of commercial activity on the site (SURPRISE!) and the development, with it's iron bars and "No Trespassing" signs, has done NOTHING to invigorate investment in the surrounding neighborhoods, exactly as Larry and I predicted. Sailwinds needs to be a carefully planned mixed use area, should take full advantage of the deep water pier (Cruise boat terminal? Bay tours? Visiting tall ships? Hello?) a waterfront performing arts venue, shopping and dining that complements, not compromises our downtown, and a limited number of residences that provide a vibrant place to live similar to Annapolis' waterfront area. I also support the idea that the marine industry, which supports our unique seafood and maritime economy, should b
Choptank Ave.
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What draws people to Cambridge, MD now is its history and resources. An essential element of the city is its location on the water and its maritime role, currently and in the past. Let's not loose the defining maritime character of Cambridge that makes it so unique, brings in commerce and provides employment.