A plan to redevelop a stretch of the Vineyard Haven waterfront took a step forward earlier this month when the Vineyard Lands for Our Community purchased the first of five parcels needed for its ambitious proposal. 

Vineyard Lands for Our Community, the nonprofit formed earlier this year to develop the HarborWorks project, purchased 34 Beach Road from the DeSorcy family on Sept. 13 for $1.9 million. The project aims to build artist and artisan workspaces, a community park and a beachfront performance pavilion, as well as expand Gannon & Benjamin and relocate it nearby along with the Martha’s Vineyard Times building. 

Steve Bernier, the nonprofit’s president, owner of the Martha’s Vineyard Times and the former owner of Cronig’s, said purchasing the land has been slow going and the nonprofit has been scrambling to get donations. 

Though several layers of permitting will be needed after the properties are acquired, he is hopeful that the recent purchase will help secure the other four plots of land, which he described as dominoes needing an initial push to fall into place.

Backers of the project said it will bring new energy to Vineyard Haven while preserving the town's working waterfront.

Ray Ewing

Backers of the project said it will bring new energy to Vineyard Haven while preserving the town's working waterfront.

Ray Ewing

“The dominoes have been waiting for this first piece to go, and even then, the donations are still very, very carefully being handled,” Mr. Bernier said. “Even if we don’t raise the money, we’re going to do something.”

The 34 Beach Road parcel includes the Workshop Gallery and Althea Design. The nonprofit is still seeking $1.5 million to secure two more plots of land from the DeSorcy family: 42 and 46 Beach Road. 

Cole Powers, a recent addition to the Vineyard Lands for Our Community board, has a purchase and sale agreement for the parcels, according to the nonprofit’s executive director Phil Wallis.

Mr. Powers currently lives at the DeSorcy property and plans to purchase the properties by the end of the year and hold them until Vineyard Lands for Our Community can raise the money for the acquisitions.

“Cole’s the point person putting the deal [with the DeSorcy family] together,” Mr. Bernier said. “He’s the one who’s on the front line.”

The nonprofit has 30 Beach Road under contract with current owner Tisbury Working Waterfront LLC. Mr. Bernier said the limited liability company agreed to donate the land, where the Martha’s Vineyard Times building currently sits, but was waiting for the nonprofit to secure the 34 Beach Road plot before transferring ownership.

“This other lot had to be purchased first, so now we’re starting to put those wheels in motion,” he said.

Car dealer magnate and Vineyard resident Ernie Boch Jr. agreed to donate his private bird sanctuary park along Beach Road to the HarborWorks project and Mr. Bernier said he expects ownership to transfer by year end, once 30 Beach Road is secured.

Vineyard Lands for Our Community voiced concerns earlier this summer about meeting closing dates for the DeSorcy land and was open about struggles with fundraising. The nonprofit hosted three summer fundraisers for the project, and Mr. Bernier said both enthusiasm and worries were voiced. 

The project, which includes building a 25,000-square-foot building, and moving the Gannon & Benjamin and Martha’s Vineyard Times buildings, will need to go through the state, Martha’s Vineyard Commission and local boards to gain approval.

The nonprofit still needs to acquire four more parcels.

Ray Ewing

The nonprofit still needs to acquire four more parcels.

Ray Ewing

Concerns about flooding along Beach Road and at the Five Corners intersection will likely factor into those discussions. Mr. Wallis said the nonprofit wants to work with experts to help.

“That’s really heady, complicated stuff and we are going to bring in serious scientists,” Mr. Wallis said.

Mr. Bernier said he realizes that the project is daunting, but if everything goes according to plan he said the new waterfront would be a dream come true for the Island community.

“If a couple of dominoes can turn and start leaning the right way, we’re going to the moon,” he said.