Shipyard Renovation Moving Slowly

HINGHAM, MA-The renovation of the shipyard here to a mixed-use complex is progressing at a snail’s pace largely because of a land swap deal between the developer and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, which requires legislative approval.

“Nothing is really moving forward that briskly,” Katie Lacey of the Hingham Planning Board, tells GlobeSt.com. “They haven’t refiled with the Zoning Board of Appeals. They are kind of caught up with the legislation relative to the land swap.”

Last year, a bill to allow the land swap was filed but it didn’t pass before the legislature adjourned. The developer, Paul Trendowicz of Sea Chain, is reportedly trying to win approval for the deal now, before the current session of the legislature ends on June 30. Trendowicz is looking to exchange land that would allow the MBTA to be closer to the ferry terminal at the shipyard, while giving him land closer to his development. Reportedly, one of the concerns with the swap is that the number of parking spaces for commuters using the ferry not be reduced.