New Bedford waterfront restaurant, cruise getaway: What's happening with the State Pier?

Frank Mulligan, The Standard-Times

NEW BEDFORD — State Pier redevelopment proposals will be aired in a May 13 public meeting at the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

That's a turnabout from the previous attempt to redevelop the eight-acre site in 2022 when the proposals were kept confidential by MassDevelopment. Developers were also prohibited from going public with their proposals.

The quasi-public development finance agency and land bank manages the eight-acre pier property, which is owned by the state.

Sen. Mark Montigny called for greater transparency

State Pier redevelopment proposals will be aired in a May 13 public meeting at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, from 6 to 8 p.m.
State Pier redevelopment proposals will be aired in a May 13 public meeting at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, from 6 to 8 p.m.

That lack of transparency was criticized by state Sen. Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford, and other New Bedford legislators. The prior attempt to redevelop the site fell through in 2023.

Montigny announced the May 13 meeting in a press release, “I greatly appreciate MassDevelopment’s responsiveness to my call for a public forum so that we can ensure complete transparency during this project.”

Montigny has supported the pier's redevelopment since 2008, spearheading state bonding authorizations and the law necessary to redevelop the site.

“State Pier presents one of the most exciting economic development opportunities in New Bedford, and I remain optimistic that we will redevelop this severely underutilized asset in a way that is in complete alignment with my 15-year vision," he stated.

MassDevelopment president and CEO steps down

Montigny had been urging greater transparency to MassDevelopment President and CEO Daniel Rivera.

Rivera stepped down from the post April 26, and Dan O’Connell, MassDevelopment board member and former secretary of housing and economic development under Gov. Deval Patrick, will step in as interim CEO, according to the State House News.

Montigny feels this will be a positive change for New Bedford, and said as he has worked well with O’Connell, and that O’Connell has a firm understanding of public-private economic development.

The proposals being considered are:

  • Servedwell Hospitality for a 6,500-square-foot restaurant;

  • BASE Seafoods for seafood auction and off-loading facility, as well as the location of the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center and seafood market;

  • Coast Line Transfers for leasing and transformation of the East Wharf and Buildings 1 and 2, aiming to revitalize cargo operations and expand offshore wind support hub;

  • American Cruise Lines for New Bedford Cruise Gateway – a new facility designed to connect historic downtown to the water through the development of mixed-use recreational and commercial tourism facility;

  • New Bedford Foss Marine Terminal and PACE to support the offshore wind industry with a marine warehouse and technical training facility;

  • Seastreak Ferries for continued use of the North Wharf and East Wharf and development of a café and merchandise retail space;

  • Cuttyhunk Ferry Co. to continue providing ferry service to the Cuttyhunk Island.

An internal MassDevelopment review committee will consider the proposals and announce a selection, according to MassDevelopment. The committee could reject all proposals or extend the deadline.

The May 13 meeting at the New Bedford Whaling Museum will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford State Pier redevelopment proposals no longer under wraps

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