The Barnstable Patriot reports that there was a local meeting at Town Hall recently to discuss the building of a new center at Bismore Park in Hyannis. As one who has visited Bismore Park for years, I know that the existing building, which houses the public restroom facilities, Harbor staff and information center, is an embarrassment to the Town. According the Patriot article, staff reports that it is almost impossible to keep the facilities clean and the building is in disrepair. The Town recently applied for and received a grant to build the new facility. What it is important is that interested citizens and Town staff are spending sufficient time thinking about the design of the building. Yes, it should be utilitarian, but it also is important that its design be one that we can be proud of for years to come. It should be a landmark for the Harbor. Millions of people go through the harbor each year. They should be greeted by a capable, helpful and polite staff working in a building that is created by an architect who listens to local residents and then designs a landmark building.
Some other thoughts? What about some public space on the second floor with a view of the harbor? What about a small restaurant or fish market providing additional amenities to visitors and residents that also provides some much needed revenue to the town coffers to continue the harbor upgrade? Just some thoughts? What do you think?
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
A realistic look at life and politics in the Town of Barnstable.
Blog Archive
-
▼
2007
(82)
-
▼
April
(18)
- Why not try a winning strategy
- The Council Review Report
- Electing Your Representative: District or At-Large
- Council Review Committee Provides Valuable Service
- To Coddah: Patience is a Virtue
- You're making Barnstable look Bad
- Hyannis Harbor Deserves a Landmark
- The Brothers Bulger: A Good Read
- I'm Devastated
- The Problem with Bullies
- Searching For Answers At Virginia Tech
- Join in the fun
- URGENT MESSAGE
- Barnstable Patriot: Our own Newspaper
- Are Some Bloggers frustrated Bullies?
- Fire Departments Serve Us Well
- Springtime on Cape Cod
- Barnstable Life in 2007
-
▼
April
(18)
1 comment:
The town certainly has done some good things with the harbor area as far as the walkway and Aselton Park is concerned. The Maritime Museum although small has a chance to become something special, and there is hope the old Armory Building can be tied into the mix somehow perhaps as an arts center. But you’re right BB, Hyannis Harbor could and should be much more of a draw than it is. Visionary planner Ben Thompson’s enlightened and foreseeing plans way back in the mid-1960's, envisioned a Walkway to the Sea that also included expanding the harbor by dredging a channel across Ocean Street creating a inner harbor, on the inner harbor, complete with a boardwalk, shops, restaurants etc. That idea was considered to be pushing the envelope way too much back then. It took forty years to just implement the walkway part of his dream, imagine what a “big dig” project would have encompassed. Today there is limited space and chances for the town to step in, but Bismore Park is one, and a perfect place to continue the contiguous theme of Hyannis the village with a Harbor. Maybe then private developers can see the potential of expanding by helping make a boardwalk that went all the way around both sides. I would hope the steamship would help out since they get so much already from Barnstable. It looks like Wayne Kurker is going to be redeveloping to the west of them sometime soon. With imagination and cooperation from all parties concerned, Hyannis Harbor could become the most energetic part of Hyannis and one of the most visited tourist area’s on Cape Cod. We spent the money for the mega-parking lot over at the airport for the SSA, it looks like no matter how much huffing and puffing those against the Wind Farm can muster, the blades will be spinning out there someday. Hyannis should be looking to the future and plan now before the cost of waterfront property spins too far out of sight. The harbor should also be a place to go for more than just those with a boat floating in it. It’s more than ironic the Seal of the Town of Barnstable has a schooner emblazzoned on it. I think somebody was trying to tell us something when that was designed. Many town's would be green with envy of the potential Hyannis Harbor brings to the town of Barnstable, let hope we don't screw it up by not doing something right now, before it's too late.
Post a Comment