[RICHARD] Transformation Of Golf Course Could Be Boost For NB Economy
My first memories of The Whaling City Golf Course date back more than 50 years. As kids we would sled there in the winter. There simply was no faster or longer hill to be found in the area. As with most things in life, your childhood haunts disappear one by one. It happened with The Lincoln School, Normandin and nowapparently the golf course. It's called progress.
The Mitchell Administration is about to announce plans to use at least a portion of the golf course, located on Hathaway Road, as a business park. The proximity to the nearby highways makes it a very valuable property for new business. The airport is right up the road which is also a draw.
Our property taxes are high and to fix that there needs to be an infusion of new revenue to help to pay for the things we needs. Schools. Public safety. Trash collection. They are all paid for with tax revenues. Problem is New Bedford is pretty much tapped out for space to locate new industry. In addition to the revenue we need the jobs that new industry would create.
The Whaling City Golf Course, or "The Whale" as it is affectionately referred to, is an ideal location to establish a business park. We are told that a portion of the existing golf course may remain once a business park is constructed. The specific plans are to be announced on Thursday afternoon by Mayor Jon Mitchell and Governor Charlie Baker. We are told by the Administration that the announcement will be “regarding a major job creation and redevelopment initiative.”
Let's keep an open mind until the details are announced. From what we think we know at this point this could be a win for the city and the surrounding area.
Editor's Note: Barry Richard is the afternoon host on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from Noon-3pm. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.