Vote YES for the Rec Center: An Affordable Investment in Youth and Community

Newburyport has an important decision to make on May 13. For 20 years, we’ve invested in our Youth Services department, which has recently expanded to Recreation & Youth Services (RYS). In that time, RYS has continuously met the evolving needs of our community. Now we need to secure RYS for future generations by voting Yes for a recreation center at 59 Low Street.

The rec center debate has been ongoing for nearly a decade. At each critical City Council decision point, residents have shown up in droves to voice their support for this project. We all recognize the value of RYS.

However, at a certain point it rings hollow to say “I support RYS” while opposing every effort to reinstate the facilities needed to realize the full value of RYS. Some argue now is not the right time to build. They say we can do better, but fail to offer any real alternative. If you find yourself thinking we should wait for something better, please take a closer look at the project, the extensive process, and the finances. When you do, it’s clear that this is the right project—and now is the right time to move forward.

This project has been thoroughly vetted. There have been over 50 public meetings in the last three years, and the City Council has approved every step—from buying the property to reviewing the site assessments, approving the design, issuing zoning and planning approvals, and approving funding via a debt exclusion. That’s as close to consensus as you’ll ever get in local government. The final decision is now with us, the voters.

The total project cost is $8.29 million, 92% of which is a firm bid and contingency. This means the risk of cost overages is on the general contractor, not the city. This is as tightly scoped and cost-controlled a project as we could put to the voters. The tax impact is modest, and less than the Senior Center project. When accounting for the high school debt expiring this year, the net increase for my family will be $21 annually. As a debt exclusion, the city’s operating budget and debt limit are unaffected. In fact, by replacing the aging Brown School and current rental costs with a newly renovated Low St. building, rec center operating costs should come down.

The return to our community on this investment is invaluable.

Since the Brown School closed in 2021, RYS staff have been working from makeshift offices and scaling back programs. At their peak, nearly half of the middle school students were attending the Brown School rec center, where they could play, socialize, and build community in a safe, supervised space. Today, a few kids gather in a church basement and a seasonal tent at Nock/Molin. Counter to what some suggest, this situation is not acceptable. We can and should do better.

A Yes vote will unlock the full potential of RYS. RYS is one of the few revenue-generating city departments, covering 75% of its operating costs from sources other than local taxes. More importantly, RYS has been a lifeline for many families. Its critical role was made clear during the pandemic, when its “School of Rec” program provided a safe, supervised place for kids during online school days, allowing parents to continue working through a challenging period. This was only possible because RYS had a dedicated space at the Brown School.

Arguing against this project on the basis of affordability is an easy out. It avoids the hard work of delivering solutions that will make a significant impact for those most in need. Yes, property taxes are rising, but the driving factor behind this is not the cost of individual projects. It is skyrocketing home values. Getting serious about easing the burden on those most affected requires focusing on solutions that will make a real difference, not distracting from the issue with soundbites about parking spaces and square footage. 

The tax work-off program enables seniors to reduce their annual tax bill by up to $2,000. Affordable housing projects like the Brown School redevelopment and the Kmart proposal will deliver lower cost housing options. And a rec center that provides year-round services and youth programming addresses one of the biggest expenses for modern families: childcare and activities. 

May 13 is our chance to make a smart investment that will pay off for decades to come. Yes, there are other important projects on the horizon. But voting No because we’re waiting for a “clean slate” is really just voting “never.” Let’s stop waiting for the perfect moment that will never come. Let’s act now. I’m voting Yes and I hope you’ll join me.

Stacey Macmillan
Yes for the Rec! committee co-chair

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