Synopsis

This project involved the evaluation of potential harbor and water-access improvements through a feasibility study designed to balance historic preservation priorities with economic development and recreational opportunity. The work focused on identifying solutions that could enhance public access to the water while respecting historic resources, existing community character, and long-term municipal objectives.

The study was conducted through close collaboration with an interdisciplinary group of professionals, including geologists, local historic preservation specialists, municipal leadership, and private-sector development stakeholders. This collaborative structure ensured that physical site conditions, cultural significance, regulatory considerations, and market realities were assessed collectively rather than in isolation.

Analysis addressed shoreline conditions, historic context, land use compatibility, and the broader role of water access within the community’s economic and recreational landscape. Preservation considerations were integrated early in the process, allowing historic resources and cultural landscapes to inform siting, scale, and functional relationships rather than serving as constraints applied after decisions had been made.

Engagement with municipal decision-makers and local developers supported a pragmatic understanding of implementation considerations, helping to identify outcomes that were both publicly beneficial and economically viable. The resulting recommendations provided the municipality with a clear, defensible framework for pursuing water access improvements that aligned with preservation goals, supported economic activity, and expanded recreational opportunities.

This project demonstrates how feasibility studies can serve as strategic planning tools—bringing technical analysis, historic stewardship, and stakeholder coordination together to guide infrastructure decisions that strengthen both place and community over time.