By Dolores Sauca Lorusso

On Monday Oct. 30, the Hull Redevelopment Authority heard the final three presentations from citizens outlining possible uses of its land. Of the 20 citizen submissions, 10 pitches were given.

Although the citizens who offered the other 10 proposals did not choose to give a formal presentation with a question-and-answer session, their ideas will still be considered by the HRA as members determine which options may become part of the Urban Renewal Plan.

The final three presentations included Judeth Van Hamm’ s proposal for solar-powered personal rapid transit and a Miyawaki Forest, Erin Swenson Gorrall’s Waterside Culture Hub, and Susan Vermilya’ s dog park proposal.

Van Hamm’s primary suggestion is that the HRA include a proposal for solar personal rapid transit as an “integral part” of the URP because it can reduce the parking needed for the HRA area, provide views of the ocean and bay, transportation to serve residents, businesses, and visitors, cut traffic congestion and carbon emissions, and generate income for the town.

According to Energy5.com, solar-powered personal rapid transit, commonly known as Solar PRT, is an eco-friendly, personalized, and efficient transportation system that relies on renewable solar energy to power lightweight vehicles consisting of small, driverless pods that navigate a network of elevated tracks or tunnels.

“If we didn’t have so many cars coming here, there would be more land use for economic development… there is economic importance to having a place be walkable. In addition, it makes it more enjoyable,” said Van Hamm, suggesting those in attendance read the book “Walkable City” by Jeff Speck.

She recommended locating the Solar PRT line on Nantasket Avenue, along the edge of the HRA land. It would include a station, likely on the corner of the HRA land at Water Street/Bay Street and Nantasket Avenue.

Van Hamm said the Solar PRT line could first connect to places within Hull, perhaps initially as far as the carousel, then further within and beyond Hull, such as to Quincy Center, and eventually connect to a Boston metropolitan network.

“Hull had the first railroad, first steamboat, and the first electric railroad; let’s be the first to have solar rapid transit,” she said. “It is fast, affordable, cutting-edge, electric, computer controlled. People will come to town to ride it because it is fun.”

Van Hamm also proposed a Miyawaki forest, a method for cultivating native vegetation, which could be part of open space on the property. The placement would depend on the layout of the other uses within the HRA area.

“It could be a focal point to the open space using species native to Hull, which can support biodiversity, cooling air temperature, buffering against flooding and erosion, and sequestering carbon,” she said, urging HRA members to visit the Northeast’ s first Miyawaki forest in Cambridge.

“Dealing with flooding and erosion are super important to me,” HRA Clerk Adrienne Paquin said. “Hull has to deal with getting people to the beach without cars.”

Community Preservation Committee member James Ianiri commented on Van Hamm’ s presentation in the meeting’s Zoom chat: “I love your forward thinking; Hull has to own its own future.”

Erin Swenson Gorrall, a business strategist, yogi, runner, and metaphysical enthusiast, proposed what she calls the Waterside Culture Hub.

She described the concept as “a historic skate, BMX, living, performing, and commerce hub by the water. A space for local Hullonians to use, build community, and prosper economically and culturally while also inviting the South Shore as well as lifestyle and culture enthusiasts a chance to visit Hull, spend money, and experience the amazing land we love.”

Gorrall’s proposal is for a surfing eco-village, an X-Games style BMX and skate park, pop up retail, walk loop and fitness path, small stage, outdoor agora-style seating, fire pit, and dog park. 

“The way to grow culture is to look at culture that is already growing in an area,” said Gorrall, citing surfing, skateboarding, and BMX as some with rapid growth during the past four years.

“Hull fosters culture in a way no other town has…this place has a magical connection and I want to honor that,” said Gorrall, who grew up in the Midwest.

Joan Senatore, the HRA’ s state-appointed board member and newly appointed treasurer, said she learned a lot from Gorrall’s presentation and had never heard of an eco-village before this presentation.

“An eco-village is an intentional, community consciously designed for regeneration and sustainability in four areas: social, cultural, ecological, and economic,” Gorrall said.

The surf eco-village would have rentable spaces for two to four weeks, allowing families and individuals to learn about communal living, sustainable living, and caring for the land. Grants for Hull residents would be given to teach the skills of a commune-style life.

“Surfing is a skill that betters communities and would give a hook to the Hull eco-village that showcases our amazing waves,” said Gorrall.

“I love the fire pit…it can be a great addition to the bonfire or, hate to say it, replace the bonfire and start a new tradition in Hull,” said Senatore.

“So many plans in here, even at piecemeal. I would love to support the surf community,” Paquin said. “Agora seating is super interesting, wonder how to work it in.”

“Agora seating and the fire pit sound like a beautiful idea,” said HRA Vice Chair Dan Kernan.

SOS Hull founding member Susan Vermilya said that during the COVID19 pandemic, many more people adopted dogs, and per town hall records, there are 990 registered dogs in town.

Vermilya said there is a lot of interest in a dog park in Hull, and the Community Preservation Committee awarded $10,000 for a feasibility study for a site search.

Vermilya said the town is “running out of places for dogs to go.”

The park would include a five-foot-tall chain-link fence with double doors for safety and a large door opening for mowing; privacy fencing along the side of property abutting a home on Bay St.; an irrigation system to keep grass watered and minimize odors; pea stone in certain areas to help with drainage; a bag dispenser and barrel for dog waste; a dog water bubbler to ensure hydration; and benches where owners can sit.

Vermilya proposed parking for the dog park in the current residential lot at the end of HRA parcel 4.

 “You have done a lot of legwork,” said Chair Dennis Zaia. “If the dog park is already in process, that is incredible.”

“All the neighbors already use the spot as a dog park,” Kernan said. “A fence will make it safer for people already using the space.”

“Something to look at; there is a need for it,” said HRA member Bartley Kelly. “Interested to hear neighbors’ concerns about a dog park there.”

“A whole series of opportunities reinforce what we have heard before, but also new ideas,” said Zaia.

Comparing the “ideation process” going forward to the distillation procedure of making maple syrup to “collect liquid nutrient,” Zaia said, “now we have to refine and distill all we have heard into a new draft Urban Renewal Plan … [it] takes time, conversation, listening, and understanding where people are coming from.”

For all the details about these proposals, and the others that were submitted, visit the submissions tab at HRA02045.com. To watch the presentations, check Hull Community television online at hulltv.net and on either Comcast or Verizon.

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