Civil Municipal - April 2024

water main, part of the ongoing effort to complete subsurface work before surface work.“We are an old community and that comes with old infrastructure. We don’t want to pave a road before we do the water main below that we know needs to be done. So, we are focused on getting our ducks in a row to make sure that that happens,” says Gove. Amesbury has been fortunate to see significant improvements in its main throughways, with two out of three already redone or renovated. “Market Street is our next big one. And we are talking about that with our Regional Planning Association,” Gove reports. “We’re approaching that with some urgency so that we can make improvements to the neighborhood for walkability, and because it is a major connection from Southern New Hampshire.” The city is also prioritizing infrastructure needs in areas slated for new housing development, as identified by the growth potential, or the MBTA Communities Act. “The infrastructure is critical to be able to support the type of housing that Amesbury is looking at for Amesbury is home to other new additions and unique collaborations, including a doula agency, which is partnering with a children’s clothing store and a toy store, and a cookie boutique partnering with a balloon bar. A home decor store has been set up in a large former insurance agency, anchoring the Market Square. As for what businesses Amesbury would like to attract to the downtown, Mayor Gove acknowledges, “We would love to see something for those outdoor enthusiasts who are paddling on the lake or driving through town with the bike rack on the car, or they’ve got the dog and the family all piled in and they’re going out to the trails. We don’t have one of those independent outdoor recreation suppliers, and we’d love to see one in our downtown.” INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR FUTURE GROWTH With continued growth on the horizon, infrastructure development plays a crucial role in supporting Amesbury into the future. Utilizing federal funding, the city has recently received funding to replace a Photo Credit: Aeropex Media 32 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 04