South Harbor Urban Renewal Plan
Pursuing Urban Renewal as a Tool for Lynn’s Future
At our recent community meeting about the South Harbor Implementation Plan, we heard a clear message from residents: the City should explore every available tool to address the vacant and blighted sites that have sat idle along our waterfront for too long. One of those tools — which many communities across Massachusetts have used successfully — is urban renewal.
What’s Next: Establishing an Urban Renewal Authority
Right now, we don’t have the ability to use urban renewal in Lynn because the City doesn’t have a redevelopment authority. To change that, the City Council will soon consider a vote to establish a redevelopment authority.
Creating this authority is simply the first procedural step that allows us to even begin exploring urban renewal as an option. It doesn’t approve any specific projects or grant any new powers on its own — it just opens the door for further planning and community discussion.
Building on the Strengths We Already Have
Rather than creating a brand-new board, our plan is to delegate the authority’s powers to the existing EDIC (Economic Development and Industrial Corporation) Board. This approach allows us to build on the EDIC’s existing expertise in economic development, site readiness, and real estate — and to avoid duplicating boards or adding unnecessary bureaucracy.
What Comes After the Council Vote
If the City Council approves the creation of the authority, that’s when the real community conversation begins. We’ll hire a planning consultant to help lead the development of an Urban Renewal Plan — a detailed roadmap that will take the South Harbor Implementation Plan to the next step and ensure our community has the authority we need to facilitate transformative development in the waterfront.
That process will include multiple public meetings and opportunities for community input. Everyone will have the chance to help shape the plan and ensure it reflects Lynn’s values, history, and vision for equitable, inclusive growth.
Only after the plan is developed would it go before the EDIC board for review and a vote. From there, the plan would also need formal approval from the Planning Board, the City Council, and the state before it could be implemented.
A Thoughtful, Transparent Process
Our goal is to take a careful, transparent, and community-driven approach to exploring urban renewal — one that learns from the past, listens to residents, and focuses on building a stronger, more vibrant Lynn for everyone.
We’ll continue to share updates and meeting information at LynnInCommon.com as this process moves forward.
