Amesbury MA

“We’ve done a tremendous amount of work to expand our housing opportunities. We are considered an MBTA-adjacent community, so we’re part of the state’s efforts to increase multifamily buy-right development and by the MBTA requirements… we’ve changed our zoning in three different areas in particular to allow for more housing options, a real variety of development,” Mayor Gove says. By designating specific parcels of land for higherdensity residential projects, the city is focusing on creating more diverse housing options that accommodate various lifestyles and income levels. Things like large apartment complexes, single-family duplexes, and row houses are all on the docket for development. Additionally, Amesbury has embraced accessory dwelling units (ADUs), allowing homeowners to convert existing structures like carriage houses and barns into livable spaces. This approach not only increases housing stock but once again aligns with city leadership’s intention to preserve the city’s architectural heritage. With rapid development underway, Amesbury is taking proactive steps to ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with expansion as well. The city has secured grants and federal funding to upgrade water and transportation systems in highgrowth areas, ensuring that these developments have the necessary support. Collaboration with regional planning agencies has been instrumental in advancing transportation improvements that enhance walkability and connectivity. Aligning infrastructure projects with private developments showcases Amesbury’s commitment to sustainable growth that benefits both current and future residents and businesses. However, these are not the only initiatives that the city has in place to foster a cohesive economic environment. One of the most significant investments in recent years is the Munters project, a $100 million industrial development that serves as the company’s North American headquarters. This facility, which spans over 400,000 square feet, has created approximately 60 new jobs and solidified Amesbury’s reputation as a businessfriendly community. “The spot they chose to put the building was probably the most challenging site in the entire community from a topographical standpoint. So, it was a recipe for a lot of problems, but we didn’t encounter them. 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 04 AMESBURY, MA

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