By Dolores Sauca Lorusso

In an effort to elicit as many detailed submissions as possible, the Hull Redevelopment Authority will extend the time for citizens to submit ideas beyond the end of August. At its next meeting on Aug. 14, the authority will clarify the process and expectations.

“I pushed to get it out there, but we should have been clearer with what we were expecting,” said HRA Chair Dennis Zaia. “We will take a step back and make a correction and next week we will define the extra requirements.”

“It would be helpful for those submitting ideas to say what parcel they would like to put it on based on the current Urban Renewal Plan and give rough dimensions,” said member Bartley Kelly.

According to Zaia, some people only submitted a photo, and it is preferable to see more information such as “reference to where the photo was taken, as well as proposed size and scope, funding, and possible partners.”

“I do not think it is the community’s responsibility to figure out where and how to execute,” said Liz Kay member of SOS (Save Our Space), a group advocating for less intensive uses on the HRA property.  “This is over our professional expertise.”

HRA Vice Chair Dan Kernan said the board made the initial request and should “honor it” by putting the initial couple of submissions up on the HRA website.

“Someone could have a brilliant idea and not know what to do with it,” he said. “I would still rather see it than not… someone else may leverage that idea and provide the additional information.”

“People are not architects. They may not be able to note which parcel, what scope, how funded,” said Gisela Voss of Hampton Circle. “If you received 20 ideas for ‘blank,’ that at least becomes public record of the relative desire for ‘blank.’”

HRA Clerk Adrienne Paquin agreed that some people may not have the “bandwidth” to submit more than just an idea, but they should “honor the efforts” of the submissions received by posting them on the website.

The HRA also will revise its general agenda when members know a specific topic will be covered, or guest will be attending, if they able to meet the 48-hour rule for agenda posts by submitting changes by Thursday afternoon before town hall closes for the weekend.

At the upcoming HRA meeting via Zoom on Monday, attendees can learn more about the additional requirements for future submissions, and hear from a member of the Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce regarding a request for funding for a trolley for Endless Summer in September.