Peabody Mayor Touts Impact Of 3 Downtown Revitalization Projects

PEABODY, MA — Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt touted the future of three downtown projects that he said will continue to transform the Main Street area into a destination location for both city residents and visitors from throughout the North Shore.

The O'Shea Mansion project that will turn that historic building into a bed and breakfast, restaurant and speak-easy pub, the proposed renovation of Brodie's Pub and the new children's museum at 10 Main Street are all part of what Bettencourt called efforts to help the downtown area rebound from "a very difficult two years for all of us with COVID-19 upending so many aspects of all fo our lives.".

"These three projects will help shape the future of our local economy," Bettencourt said in a video released on Thursday. "Each one will bring in more people and more jobs downtown while generating additional revenue for the city."

The proposed Brodie's Pub renovation would replace the current exterior with a brick one that owner Micheal Votto said will fit better into the surrounding area. He said there are also plans for a glass-covered atrium with a roof and a space for outdoor dining.

He said the project will take about 12 to 14 months.

"It will clean up the entire corner and be an asset to the downtown," Votto said.

The Bell Inn & Tavern project is in the process of transforming the 1740 O'Shea Mansion into a rustic yet modern 10-room inn, restaurant and 1920s-style bar.

"This project surpasses even our fondest wishes of what would become of the O'Shea Mansion," Bettencourt said.

Bettencourt said the children's museum will be another resource that draws people to neighboring downtown restaurants, shops and other businesses.

"Downtown Peabody has come a long way in the last 10 years," Bettencourt said. "When I first became mayor, Main Street was little more than a dangerous cut-through for speeding traffic. Storefronts stood empty and there was virtually no nightlife to speak of.

"We still have a way to go to realize our full potential. But the new Brodie's Pub, Peabody Children's Museum and the exciting developments at the O'Shea Mansion represent a tremendous step forward."

The full video can be found here:

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)