SALISBURY — Following a yearslong planning and permitting process, the highly anticipated One Oceanfront South project recently received its final permit, clearing the way for the development to be built, according to local officials.
What has been called the centerpiece of the town’s desire to create a year-round beach neighborhood at historic Salisbury Beach, the development would feature 235 residential units in a five-story building along with 7,500 square feet of retail space. The estimated price tag was $190 million as of October 2023.
“This is a very exciting moment,” said Wayne Capolupo, who leads Big Block Development. “We have long envisioned the beach becoming a year-round destination, a neighborhood. One Oceanfront will help make that happen.”
The final permit was issued by the state Department of Environmental Protection after issuing an order of conditions, removing the final obstacle to construction, according to the town.
“Based on the review of the supplemental information and revised site plans contained in the file, it is MassDEP’s opinion that the work proposed on the project site meets performance standards for Coastal Dune and Barrier Beach … and that work proposed will not impact the land’s ability to provide storm damage prevention and flood control.” MassDEP section chief Jill Provencal wrote.
MassDEP’s approval marks the end of an eight-year permitting process that began in 2018 when the Salisbury Planning Board approved the development. The project was also approved by the town Conservation Commission in 2023.
“It’s wonderful to see this process come to a satisfying and positive conclusion,” Board of Selectmen Chair Donna Abdulla said. “It will be an enormous help to the business owners who have kept this historic destination going over the years.”
One Oceanfront Project Manager Steve Paquette called the permitting process “quite a challenge.”
“We are thrilled with the recent conclusion of this component of the development. We are very pleased to now move forward with the next steps required to actually begin construction, that being project financing, construction drawings, and demolition as well as building permits,” Paquette said.
MassDEP’s approval comes roughly three years after abutters appealed the Conservation Commission’s approval to the state agency.
The appeal came courtesy of Goddard Consulting LLC, which requested a superseding order of conditions on behalf of residents living at Ocean Echo Condominiums and Song of the Seas Condominiums.
The appeal noted that the Ocean Echo Condominiums Association is a direct abutter while Song of the Seas Condominiums is within 50 feet of the project.
Abutters also claimed developers did not consider the risks of buildings being in such proximity to the beach and being on a coastal dune, referencing the fact that since the 1970s, several landward buildings in the area have been removed as the ocean has shifted the coastal beach and dune.
Town Manager Neil Harrington said One Oceanfront is the next step in the town’s effort to create a neighborhood that does not depend solely on beach season.
“Having 235 families who will call this neighborhood home ensures that this area will continue to become more of a year-round experience,” Harrington said. “This development, as well as the exciting hospitality-based reuse of the former police station site, and several other beachside developments, will enhance our treasured beachside destination while adding a significant amount of new tax revenue to the town coffers.”
Harrington added that it was time for the project to move forward.
“This development has experienced a multiyear local and state review and following these years and years of deliberation, the town wholly supports the development, the area needs the development, and the development is ready to go.”
The development site comprises several parcels at 6-28 Oceanfront South and 16-18 Broadway, totaling 3.75 acres.
With 354 underground parking spaces and 7,000 square feet of commercial space, One Oceanfront would replace a number of blighted and underutilized buildings with a new building that offers beach access along with panoramic beach views.
The project would also include a public promenade and a connection to the town’s boardwalk to bring the new commercial space out into the open air. It is estimated the development would generate $1.25 million to $2 million in property taxes annually, according to town officials.
“We can now begin to focus on a strategy of adding residents to the commercial establishments that have been doing business there, in many cases, for several generations of family ownership,” Selectman Mike Colburn added.
Town Planner William Luster said the reason for such a wide range of potential tax dollars coming into the town’s coffers is that the tax bill depends on what the units are sold for on the open market.
Dave Rogers is the editor of the Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: drogers@newburyportnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @drogers41008.