Mayor Mitchell Discusses Waterfront Plans

The New Bedford Economic Development Council released redevelopment plans for the city's waterfront on Thursday.

Mayor Jon Mitchell tells WBSM News a large portion of the plan focuses on State Pier which he says has long been neglected while under state ownership.

"We need to get some money from the state to fix the State Pier and we need to get the State Pier out of the Department of Conservation and Recreation," said Mitchell "the State Pier has been woefully mismanaged and that has to change and I'm working with Governor Baker's administration to see to that."

Mayor Mitchell the plan focuses on ways to promote and improve commercial activity on the pier while also increasing options for recreational activity.

"Cargo, ferry, fishing, and other industrial uses will be promoted and we will use the northwest corner of the pier for the type of public accomodation uses that are growing in popularity on the waterfront."

Mitchell says the plan also has broad support.

"This is a plan that has been in the works for well over a year and has involved waterfront stakeholders, including in the fishing industry, it's widely embraced and I believe that this will set the tone for the future of our port which is our primary economic asset in Greater New Bedford," said Mitchell.

The plan was unveiled after an 18-month study conducted by Aasaki Associates which was paid for with a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration