Future Of Hawthorne Oceanfront Property In Swampscott Discussed

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — The first step in determining how Swampscott will utilize the recently acquired Hawthorne by the Sea property on Humphrey Street will take place with an "idea exchange" on all the possibilities next week.

Residents are invited to attend the meeting at the restaurant location on Jan. 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in what officials said will be a "months-long, community-wide visioning process."

"Help us take advantage of this once-in-a-generation opportunity," officials said. "All that is required are your ideas, imagination, enthusiasm, and willingness to listen to your friends and neighbors."

Town meeting members voted 214 to 3 in June to approve the purchase of 9.5 acres
of open space across two lots on Archer Street and to authorize and fund an agreement to purchase the historic 1.47-acre Hawthorne by the Sea property for $7 million.

The town closed the sale on the Hawthorne property in December. Under the agreement, the restaurant will be allowed to operate for one more full season before it becomes fully available for municipal use in October 2023.

"An overwhelming majority of the Select Board feels strongly that open space be a primary focus of this property but we also feel strongly that there be a robust conversation for everyone to bring their ideas," Swampscott Select Board Chair Neal Duffy said in announcing the imminent sale closing at the special town meeting held last month.

The town has retained HDR Inc., an engineering, architecture and design firm, to help it transition the space.

The Jan. 28 idea exchange will include a welcome and introduction, a series of round-table discussions, and a recap and progress report of what's next in the development.

Duffy said the Jan. 28 conversation will not be the only opportunity to contribute ideas for the Hawthorne property but the beginning of an engagement process that will run through the winter, spring and summer to "discuss the amazing possibilities for this signature parcel."

There will be additional public meetings and updates to follow.

(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.)