By Dolores Sauca Lorusso

The Hull Redevelopment Authority this week continued discussing citizens’ proposals for long-term land uses and will ask some sponsors to present additional information in January.

“This is the time to make the comments on the submissions that have percolated up in our mind,” HRA Chair Dennis Zaia said, noting that it is “not meant to be ‘this is good or not good.’ For some we have more questions, others we need more meat.”

A total of 21 submissions were received; 11 were evaluated, and five groups will be asked to present in January. Another 10 will be discussed at the HRA meeting on Dec. 11 to determine if board members need more information and want to “dig deeper.”

Patrick Finn’s “HRA Three Phases,” Leonard Markowitz and Team’s “Mobile Stage/Open Space,” and SOS Hull’s “Open Space Revenue Generation/Long Term Vision” were the presenters asked to return. Jodi Lewis, who proposed community space, and Pam Wolfe, who suggested a seaside gateway park, decided not to give a formal presentation in the first round, but have been asked to present in January.

Zaia said he was wanted to hear more from Finn about adding a driveway to improve traffic flow. Joan Senatore, HRA treasurer, is interested in hearing more about how Finn would develop residences on the land.

“Like Dennis, I appreciated the traffic flow… understanding [a] better option for potentially dealing with traffic patterns, and how his [Finn’s] ideas could fit with the DCR if they did put in boardwalk,” said HRA Vice Chair Dan Kernan.

Zaia said Markowitz demonstrated a “flexibility that is enormously valuable, so the space could have the opportunity of many things happening there all the time.”

Hearing more about the concepts of the mobile stage and open space principles were at the core of why Senatore and Kernan wanted Markowitz to return for a follow-up presentation.

HRA members said the presentation by SOS Hull was “rich in lots of different areas” and warranted more exploration.

“There is a lot of connectivity” Zaia wishes to pursue further in the SOS Hull presentation, including connections with the Trustees of Reservations, Boston Harbor Islands, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Along with the other board members, Zaia said he wants to learn more about the short-term versus long-term options presented in the SOS Hull plan.

Zaia said Lewis’s proposal, which highlights the Tree House Tavern in Hanson as an example of community space, along with sunset events and small kiosk vendors, is a way to “make something ordinary a little more magical.”

Like Lewis, Wolfe chose not to present to the board, but her ideas still caught members’ attention.

“Verbiage is really good…could lift and put in our own Urban Renewal Plan,” said Senatore, who also would like to hear more about the seaside gateway park in the proposal.

Although the remaining six citizens were not asked to come back for a subsequent presentation, the board had positive comments about the ideas presented.

Senatore supported Shannon Chiba’s idea of the open space beach shell.

“People are very in favor of having some sort of event space,” she said, saying the board needs to “decide which shell suits the land.”

Kernan said he “appreciated the whole idea of environmental emphasis” in Chiba’s presentation and a lot of ideas could be incorporated from there.

Links to the DCR master plans, the concept of wide steps, and reference to the importance of a grant writer stood out to the board in reviewing Lepori’s “Beachside Park Walkways” proposal, inspired by a promenade in Tel Aviv.

“It is critical to leverage what the DCR is doing, and it is at the forefront of this proposal,” said Kernan.

During the meeting, members said resident Amy Joseph’s proposal was not posted with the others on hra02045.com, but Zaia said the concept, modeling the South Shore Conservatory in Hingham and an arts community building, stood out to him.

Ann Marie Papasodero proposed a musical festival, similar to Levitate, which is a three-day event with shops and entertainment in Marshfield.

“There is a lot of time to get to the Urban Renewal Plan,” Senatore said. “I like thinking out of the box of the carnival, bonfire, and parking… more events.”

Gert Warren proposed a Ferris Wheel, which other cities and states have used to bring in revenue.

Kernan said the idea of a wheel could be “a definable feature to define the town…not sure the Ferris wheel is the solution, but the idea is a beginning.”

Scott Plympton submitted a proposal for open space and a community center.

Zaia pointed out it was one of the few submissions that suggested putting a community building on the HRA land.

Kernan thanked all of the residents who took time to put together a presentation.

“Whether called back or not doesn’t mean the presentation wasn’t great,” he said. “We appreciate each one.”

To view the submissions for long-term use of the HRA property, visit www.hra02045.com.

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