New Bedford Mayor Weighs-in on State Pier Bill [VIDEO]

NEW BEDFORD — On his weekly "Mid-week with the Mayor" appearance Wednesday on WBSM, Mayor Jon Mitchell talked about a couple recent developments that affect the city.

The Mayor said that the economic development bill passed late Tuesday by the Massachusetts House and Senate that includes an amendment for the New Bedford State Pier could mean good things for the city.

Mitchell said that he'd like to see the twenty-percent area of the pier that the bills allows to be set aside for development be used for new restaurants, stores and other tourist-friendly businesses. He added that it will make a better connection between the pier and the rest of the downtown area, as well as bring in dollars from visitors who are taking the ferry to the islands. That area is now an asphalt parking lot located in from of the ferry terminals.

On another issues, Mayor Mitchell said he is pleased with the work the New Bedford City Council's ordinance committee has done on zoning for potential locations for marijuana dispensaries. The mayor approves of the buffer zones for parks, playgrounds, schools, churches and childcare facilities, as well as residential neighborhoods. Mitchell said when located in the right industrial areas, the marijuana facilities will add tax revenue to the city.