Chatham Seeking Upgrades to Waterfront

CHATHAM – Officials in Chatham are looking at upgrading the waterfront and waterways with $13 million of projects over the next handful of years.

The town’s Director of Natural Resources Robert Duncanson discussed plans recently at a Selectmen’s meeting.

Duncanson says the town is seeking $2.4 million for the next fiscal year to replace the fish pier’s south jog bulkhead.

“We’re just getting ready shortly, probably in the next week or 10 days, to seek engineering proposals to do they design for that,” Duncanson said.

The town will also look to make building renovations at the fish pier and replace the deck and walkway from the Wharfinger building, along with replacing the HVAC and electrical systems.

“Right now the electrical system is all in the flood plain so if we do get that major storm with storm tides and all – the potential is we could lose the electrical at the fish pier,” Duncanson said.

The town is also looking at potentially moving the coast guard to the south side of the fish pier to free up space.

The town will seek Seaport Economic Council grants to help fund many of the projects.

“The new Seaport has a much stronger emphasis on commercial,” Duncanson said. “We can make that argument very easily here, very easily at the fish pier, very easily at Old Mill Boat Yard, very easily at Eldredge Pier.”

There are also proposals to make repairs at the Ryder’s Cover landing.