By Dolores Sauca Lorusso

On Monday night, the Hull Redevelopment Authority continued discussions begun on Nov. 6 to identify which citizens’ proposals for use of the land will be called back for second presentations.

Of the 21 submissions, nine groups will be asked to present again in January to answer additional questions or give more details. On December 11, HRA members decided they wanted to “dig deeper” into four proposals: Sarah Sullivan’s Sandcastles Childcare and Learning Center on the Beach, Samantha Mills Gaia’s Multi-use Community Space, Jody McHugh’s Flagpole Memorials, and Erin Swenson Gorrall’s Cultural Hub/Alternate Sports World.

Among the five groups the HRA already decided to ask back for a second look were Patrick Finn’s HRA Three Phases, Leonard Markowitz’s Mobile Stage/Open Space, and SOS Hull’s Open Space Revenue Generation/Long Term Vision, along with Jodi Lewis’s Community Space and Pam Wolfe’s Seaside Gateway Park.

The HRA will compile a list of questions by Dec. 22 for when the groups return in January. The questions will serve as a guide for the presentation, or if they choose not to present, sponsors can submit written answers. The presentations will begin on Jan. 8, but most likely, the groups will present over the course of two meetings.

Sullivan, whose proposal entails creating an extension of Sandcastles Childcare and Learning Center in Hingham, passed on the opportunity to present during the initial round, but indicated that if there was “any interest going forward, she would welcome another invitation to present.”

HRA Clerk Adrienne Paquin pointed out she once went to school on the land [at the South Shore Charter School] and highlighted it is “incredibly unique place to go to school” and she is not against the idea, but it is tricky in execution.

“If we plan it around the school and it does not work out, then what does that leave us with?” she said. “We need a way to test it over the summer with a temporary structure.”

HRA member Bartley Kelly said Sullivan “pointed out something I had not seen as part of the Urban Renewal Plan…it is worth a conversation.”

Gaia presented an idea for a multi-use community space. “She didn’t come present the first time, hopefully, she will accept the invite to come in and expand on her ideas,” state-appointed HRA member Joan Senatore said.

Vice Chair Dan Kernan pointed out the proposal’s “synergy” with the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and its plans to relocate the Cook comfort station.

“We saw the vision in pencil, it would be great to hear it directly,” he said.

Kelly focused on Gaia’s idea to have an area for food trucks.

“Food trucks can be a double-edged sword,” Kelly said. “They can take business away from existing businesses in town that count on visitors.”

However, Chair Dennis Zaia pointed out that the food truck space could initiate opportunities for existing businesses with food trucks of their own.

“Who knows how it can be leveraged?” he said.

McHugh’s proposal expressed the desire to “see the HRA parcel developed as openly as possible. It is a centerpiece to Hull.” However, the proposal is “not so much for the space but for the road that runs through it.”

McHugh proposes using the large utility poles as flagpoles with solar lights mounted below the flags to illuminate them along the road between the pavilion and the war memorial.

Paquin clarified she named the proposal on the HRA’s website, hra02045.com, and inaccurately referred to this as a war memorial, but is more accurately described as “large open gallery using the telephone poles.”

“Jody mentioned the HRA parcel is the centerpiece of town, and I am on board with that part of it…anything that creates art and honors Hull heroes, I am down for,” said Paquin.

Kelly said he likes the idea of the flags because it “gives a sense of space and walkability,” but members are concerned about how the flags would withstand the wind.

Paquin and Kelly described Gorrall’s proposal as “very ambitious.”

“There are a lot of concepts I like in this plan, but the stairs are a lot to do, and a lot to permit,” said Kelly.

Kernan said he likes the idea of a surf village because Hull has “a tremendous surf community” and is one of the main surfing destinations in New England.

Zaia said the “fitness space tying into the DCR space is intriguing as all heck; the steps are less of a furniture fixture and more of a landscaping feature.”

According to the proposal, “the kinetic wind sculptures for sustainable landscape concept is an idea that aligns with open space principles, while offering an enriching experience to the community of Hull. Kinetic sculptures are not merely static artworks; they are dynamic, interactive, installations whose movement adds to the natural surroundings. These sculptures respond to environmental forces, adding a captivating element to Hull’s open areas and providing a dynamic platform for community engagement.”

Although the board unanimously felt the idea of kinetic wind sculptures could blend with many of the other citizens submissions, they did not feel the need to ask the proposer to come back because the submission was complete.

“It is brilliant, tons of funding sources and grant opportunities…gave a leg up on next steps,” said Zaia.

Paquin said the sculptures can act as a “focal point to draw people to come to Nantasket…people come from miles around to take a picture with a unique piece of art.”

Kernan applauded the proposal because it is “integrated around a concept with a defined identity.”

“What we do must also provide economic development for the town and provide tax base,” said Kelly. “It is food for thought for the open space portion of the urban renewal area.”

Wolf suggested a replica of the Fort Revere water tower, as well as art and community space. Wolf said she “did so like many of the other suggestions and believe[s] that a consolidation of those is what would work so well for the HRA land…picnic tables, trees, walkways, bike paths, a Hatch shell, food trucks…”

Wolf also outlined she would “love to see a combined art space, both for work and teaching and display/exhibits, a music venue space/theater, a museum space, an environmental informational educational space, and a tourist information center.”

Paquin said she would “love to support a tribute to Hull icons like the water tower and roller coaster, as well as an artist space.”

Kernan agreed that “it is a good list of ideas and suggestions which broadened our thinking.”

On behalf of SOS Hull, Susan Vermilya proposed what the HRA agreed is a “much-needed” dog park; a study is currently under way to determine the best location for a park.

Resident Gisela Voss suggested that instead of spending the funds on a feasibility study, a pilot program for a dog park on the land near the gazebo or at the far end of the Hampton Circle Playground could be undertaken.

C. Anne Murray said in the meeting’s Zoom chat that as a former dog owner, she understands the need for such spaces, but suggested a “complete vetting of the pros and cons.”

Regarding Judeth Van Hamm’s proposal for solar rapid transit, HRA members said it was something that should be decided by the town.

“If the town supports rapid transit, then we would support it on our land,” said Paquin.

Van Hamm also proposed the idea of a Miyawaki forest, which involves determining the plant species native to a given area, improving the soil by mixing in organic material, and planting seedlings of native trees and plants.

Zaia found the idea of the Miyawaki forest “fascinating” and said it provided him with ideas he plans to incorporate into his own presentation. On Monday, Jan. 22, each member of the HRA will present their own ideas about what to include in the Urban Renewal Plan.

“We received a smorgasbord of ideas…we appreciate and will consider each one…whether you were called back or not,” said Zaia.

To review all of the citizen submissions for the HRA property, visit www.hra02045.com.

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