Bristol’s current battle will decide the sustainable growth or destruction of what has made this small-scale, family-oriented town an historic gem, delighting residents and visitors. The Belvedere at Thames project, a massive apartment building and pizzeria requiring 15 variances, is being pushed to approval against existing Historic District Guidelines for this legally protected historic waterfront.

The Bristol community has responded with overwhelming opposition — which has not yet moved the Bristol Historic District Commission or Bristol Planning Board to uphold their oath of office to “in all respects observe the provisions of the Charter and ordinances of the Town of Bristol,” including its Comprehensive Plan, Historic District Guidelines, and Zoning ordinances. This dereliction could be legally challenged.     

Friends of Historic Bristol, a nonprofit seeking to strengthen the community, preserve and protect the cultural and historical character of Bristol’s historic district, and support economic growth that respects the small scale of the built environment, favors developing the Belvedere site. But that development should comply with existing historic protections and ordinances, like every other property in the historic district.

The important questions are what makes Bristol unique, makes people want to visit and live here. High-rise mini-condos will not attract visitors, nor another pizzeria. Bristol’s appeal lies in its 18th- and 19th-century, small-scale ambiance, its walkable sidewalks, historic homes and small shops.

It’s not the place for honky-tonk, poolside partying, temporary rentals or high-rent second homes. Many proposed units measure less than 740 square feet. 

Bristol’s attraction and economic driver is in walking its sidewalks, greeting passers-by at Independence Park, Loafers’ Corner or the bagel shop. Bristol is an open community, not the place for residents-only amenities decks. 

Walking traffic attracts out-of-towners and creates economic energy. Developer Jim Roiter’s building — with its unrelieved 176-foot wall — will repel pedestrians. This wall would tower 10 feet higher than Fenway Park’s Green Monster and span more than half the park’s 310-foot wall.  

Approval will set a precedent for all future developers, turning our waterfront into a “condo canyon” that overwhelms, rather than attracts pedestrians. Two waterfront restaurateurs have stated that, if the Belvedere project is approved, they will construct similar high-rise buildings on their properties.

If approved, this project will irreparably destroy, lot by lot, building by building, the very small-scale historic heritage that has attracted visitors and residents to Bristol.  

Instead of building Bristol’s economic vitality on what is unique to — as recommended by the National Trust’s successful “Main Street” program (www.mainstreet.org) — approval of the Belvedere proposal will start the destruction of the very irreplaceable historic assets which Bristol most needs to preserve for its sustainable economic growth.

Economically successful destinations — like Charleston, Santa Fe, and Galveston — all used the protection of their historic districts as a central element in their economic development strategy. The greatest attractions for economic growth in many towns are their quality of life, natural environment, historic legacy and cultural context. Protection of Bristol’s heritage will not limit development; rather, it will be the basis for it.

Caroline Jacobus 

Bristol