By Dolores Sauca Lorusso

In addition to reviewing citizens’ proposals for uses of its property, during the past few weeks the Hull Redevelopment Authority has been exploring opportunities for the land in the short-term, including a circus, a pop-up movie screen, and an electrical utility skills demonstration.

The HRA land also will host the traditional bonfire on Thanksgiving, with wood already being placed at the site.

On Oct. 30, HRA Chair Dennis Zaia made a motion to hold the Hideaway Circus in July, while filmmaker Ben Forman proposed an inflatable projection screen to hold drive-in or picnic-style movie nights. Representatives of the Hull Municipal Light Plant and Northeast Public Power Association attended the HRA meeting on Nov. 6 to share more details about the 2024 “RodE&O Conference” they would like to hold on the HRA land in May.

Zaia said he first encountered the “all-American” Hideaway Circus in August at Weir River Farm in Hingham, and he was “surprised at how amazing it was.”

Hideawaycircus.com describes Stars Above, which has an approximate run time of 85 minutes, as “an outdoor, family-friendly circus, a modern take on the nostalgic small touring circuses from over 200 years ago. Featuring an all-star cast of circus performers and musicians, the show centers around a day in the life of a traveling family troupe... the all-ages production is performed outdoors, under the vast canopy of sky and stars, on a custom-built circular stage and aerial rig.”

“The Hideaway Circus will illuminate utilization of the HRA property while bringing in revenues of $39,000 to offset the $30,000 cost, while enhancing the Independence Day holiday in Hull,” said Zaia, saying the cost is $10,000 per show, along with $10,000 for police details, fencing, and other incidentals.

Another proposal would use the property to show movies.

“My ask is for a partnership with the HRA…my first stop was to see if we could use the land,” Forman said. “Whenever the land starts to transform to a permanent solution, I hope art and culture is part of that; until then I would like to do something meaningful, impactful, and uplifting.”

In contrast to a traditional movie screen, which is 40 feet, the inflatable screen could be as large as 52 feet.

“Part of the engagement factor and magic is for people to see it while driving by,” said Forman.

Zaia said he would like to see this happen for a designated number of days; HRA Clerk Adrienne Paquin agreed.

“I love the idea; this is the kind of use of the space a lot of us are talking about,” Paquin said. “Not sure how much financially the HRA can buy in, but as a pilot program you have a yes from me there.”

Newest HRA member Joan Senatore agreed with Paquin about considering a pilot program.

“I think this could fly down here very much,” she said. “We do not have a movie theater in town. Watching a movie as the sun goes down over World’s End would be pretty special.”

“The devil is in the details,” said longtime HRA member Bartley Kelly. “[It] wouldn’t be a bad idea to get legal counsel to be sure we are within guidelines of the HRA.”

Paquin also questioned whether it was within the HRA’s mandate to spend money on events such as the Hideaway Circus and the drive-in movies.

To address these concerns, Zaia invited commercial real estate and land-use attorney Paula Devereaux to Monday’s meeting to explain the parameters around these uses of the land.

“The power of the HRA is to eliminate blight and substandard conditions,” Devereaux said. “There is a little more leeway when it is for a project rather than the entire plan area… ‘demonstration projects’ are a way an urban renewal project can test projects.”

A demonstration project is defined as a relatively self-contained, small-scale capital investment or technical assistance project, the purpose of which is to “demonstrate” a particular approach.

Devereaux used the examples of the Cobble Hill Center LLC v. Somerville Redevelopment Authority decision by Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and the Suffolk Superior Court’s Marchese v. Boston Redevelopment Authority decision to justify the HRA’s ability to conduct activities other than large-scale development under a formal urban renewal plan.

She said the court found that state law “clearly contemplates the development and testing of new or different projects that may lead to future use and improvement, which is consistent with the common understanding of a demonstration.”

“We have vetted it thorough legal counsel. The Hideaway Circus falls in the category of a demonstration project, and we have clear legal standing to do this and there may be other demonstration projects we wish to present,” Zaia said. “[A] demonstration project is a valuable tool for our authority as we move forward with citizens ideas.”

The motion by Zaia and approved by the board at the October 30 meeting – to “engage the Hideaway Circus for July 2 and July 3, 2024, for a full buyout not to exceed $30,000 contingent this is bona fide activity for the HRA to do in quest of economic improvement of our property for the community of Hull” – was reaffirmed by the board following clarification by Devereaux.

The Northeast Public Power Association and Hull Municipal Light Plant proposed holding the 2024 RodE&O Conference on the HRA land and at the nearby Nantasket Beach Resort. The conference and exposition consist of skilled competition, educational sessions, roundtables, networking, sponsor exhibits, and more.

“When they called out for a new location, I could not think of a better backdrop for the event which will bring business to Hull,” said Anne Finley of HMLP, who thanked the HRA for “embracing something good happening in Hull.”

Light plant Assistant Operations Manager Mike Schmitt said 10 telephone poles would be installed, and spectators are encouraged to watch the line workers compete in pole climbing, transformer change-outs, and cross-arm change-outs.

“The event is a great way for the public to learn how Hull’s utility does what they do for the community, and how they keep the lights on for people,” said Wendy Esche, NEPPA director of marketing, communications, and events.

The HRA approved the event, citing the revenues it would bring to town by filling the hotel for a few days and bringing business to local restaurants. However, some logistics need to be with the layout of parking and portable bathrooms for the event.

The NPPA event received tentative approval with submission of a revised event layout diagram.

“This event will put Hull Light on the map like Anne said, but will also give recognition to the whole town of Hull…great for our town to bring in some business,” said Senatore.

“The reality is we want to do more than a parking lot,” Vice Chair Dan Kernan said. “The process is more complicated to do this on the property, but we hope there will be more events like this in the future.”

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