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Call us 877-451-9251Water Damage Restoration in New Bedford, MA
Owning a home or business is one of the hallmarks of living the American Dream. While there are many fulfilling and positive aspects of owning property, one of the challenges that owners face is property damage. This type of damage can be caused by a range of disasters, both man-made and natural. Of all the types of property damage, water damage is among the most common.
Whether from broken pipes or heavy thunderstorms, it doesn't take a professor from Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School in New Bedford to know that water damage can be incredibly harmful to your home. Water can spread quickly throughout your property, causing damage to furniture and porous materials as it moves. In the blink of an eye, you could be looking at substantial rotting, warping, and even mold growth. That's why water damage restoration in New Bedford, MA is so important - to mitigate the damage to your home and help prevent it from happening in the future.
Trying to overcome flooding and other water-related disasters on your own can seem like a lost cause. But with Disaster Response by your side, you don't have to lose hope. As a local water damage clean-up company, we provide comprehensive restoration services to properties of all sizes in New Bedford. From the first time we assess your water damage to the time we mitigate and restore, we're here for you.
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Dealing with property damage can be overwhelming. You're likely concerned about a few key things:
Navigating the insurance claim process
We guide you through every step, ensuring you understand the process and get the most out of your claim.
Scheduling for a quick and quality completion
We provide a clear timeline for restoration, prioritizing both speed and quality, so you can get back to normal as soon as possible.
You might also be thinking about:
Ensuring the safety and health of your family or employees during the restoration: Our team takes all necessary precautions to protect the safety and health of everyone involved, using the latest techniques and equipment.
Understanding the full scope of the damage and what needs to be done:We conduct a thorough assessment of the damage and provide a detailed plan of action, so you know exactly what to expect.
Knowing the costs upfront and avoiding unexpected expenses: We provide transparent pricing and a detailed estimate before any work begins, so there are no surprises along the way.
Preventing future issues, such as mold growth or structural problems: We don't just fix the visible damage—we address the root causes to prevent future issues, giving you peace of mind.
Protecting your belongings and valuables from further damage: We take extra care to safeguard your possessions during the restoration process, minimizing any further impact.
Minimizing disruption to your daily life or business operations: We work efficiently and flexibly to reduce the disruption to your routine, allowing you to continue with your life or business as smoothly as possible.
Finding a trustworthy team to handle your property with care: Our experienced and highly-trained professionals treat your property as if it were their own, ensuring the highest standard of care.
Ensuring the job is done right the first time: We pride ourselves on doing the job right the first time, using industry-leading techniques and thorough quality checks to ensure lasting results.
Receiving clear communication and updates throughout the restoration process: We keep you informed every step of the way, providing regular updates and clear communication, so you're never left in the dark.
Ensuring the safety and health of your family or employees during the restoration: Our team takes all necessary precautions to protect the safety and health of everyone involved, using the latest techniques and equipment.
At Disaster Response, It's All About You
Like RotchJonesDuff House and Garden Museum in New Bedford, Disaster Response has been a pillar of the community for years. As a second-generation disaster response company, we know that our work is never about us. At its most basic, it's always about you—your situation, your needs, and your satisfaction. We engineer our processes to help you quickly recover from water floods and disasters. Our total focus is on you, our valued customer. And that, in a nutshell, is what makes Disaster Response one of the most trusted and highly-rated water restoration companies in New Bedford.
Instead of focusing on profit, bottom lines, and yearly projections, we make you our priority. That's why we're serious about providing expert-level disaster preparedness and response services when you need them the most. Could you imagine trying to decipher misleading fine print or dealing with a pushy salesperson when you're just trying to get your life back together? That's not the Disaster Response way, and it never will be.
We don't just clean up after water leaks, floods, or other disasters; we go above and beyond by providing a consultative approach that serves you for years to come. We assist you in dealing with insurance adjusters to ensure you get the coverage you deserve without unnecessary delays. We make it a point to meticulously review every detail of your claim and work hard to make sure adjusters understand the full extent of your losses. We can also provide guidance on how and when to engage a public adjuster to bypass inefficiencies in the insurance process. At the end of the day, we strive to provide peace of mind during your difficult time and work tirelessly to get your property back to its pre-loss condition.
The Disaster Response Difference
Professional Technicians, Technology, and Processes
In fact, we'll dispatch a team of water disaster technicians to you within three minutes. We'll also advise you on what can be done to minimize the water damage in your home or business. Our water damage restoration team will use cutting-edge technology and IICRC-approved methods to restore as much of your property as possible.
Insurance Advocacy
Disaster Response works one-on-one with you and your insurance provider to expedite the claims process and get your home back to normal as soon as possible.
Satisfaction Guaranteed
We're proud of our work and stand behind every project we complete. Our goal is to exceed expectations and provide peace of mind throughout every step of your water damage restoration process. If you're not satisfied for any reason, we'll listen to your concerns and work tirelessly to rectify any issues that need addressing.
Your Guide to Water Damage Restoration in New Bedford, MA
Water damage restoration is a key step in remediating damage to your home, both structurally and aesthetically. Damage from water doesn't just affect the walls, floors, and ceilings in your home. It can also cause deeper issues that, when untreated, can weaken your foundation significantly and lead to long-term instability.
As if that weren't enough, water damage can present health hazards to your friends, family, and pets. Mold and bacteria can grow in damp areas after water incidents, causing allergies, respiratory problems, and even visits to The Oaks in New Bedford for examination. Ignoring water damage can also result in irreversible harm to your belongings, including furniture, electronics, and sentimental items, leading to financial loss and emotional distress. Professional water clean-up services can repair the damage to your property, help protect valuable assets, and re-establish your home or business as a safe, healthy environment for occupants.
What Makes Our Water Damage Company in New Bedford, MA, Different from Others?
One of the most common questions we get at Disaster Response is, "What separates you from other water damage clean-up companies in New Bedford?" The first and easiest answer to that question centers around our commitment to customer service. We hold our clients in high regard because, without them, there would be no Disaster Response. As such, we work tirelessly to provide them with quality work from friendly and helpful technicians, regardless of the size of their home or business.
But that's just the start. Our clients recommend friends and family to our business because we prioritize the following:
Cost
Investing in damage restoration for your home is a smart move that can help reduce long-term costs. The best part? Our services are covered by insurance companies, so there's less worry about paying out of pocket.
Technicians
Every member of our team has years of experience, specialized training, and certifications in handling water damage. We prioritize our customers' well-being and meticulously attend to every detail to prevent any potential mold-related issues in the future. From single-family homes to
Time
Water disasters happen quicker than you might think. One moment, you're enjoying family time at Fort Taber Park in New Bedford. The next, you're pulling in your driveway to a flooded home. When you call our office, we'll get to work assessing the cause of your water damage and how extensive the water damage is in your home or business. From there, we'll dispatch a team of IICRC water damage restoration experts to your location.
Tools
Disaster Response has made significant investments in cutting-edge water damage equipment, including inspection tools that enable thorough water removal. Our technicians have undergone extensive training to operate these machines and know when and when not to use them.
Process
For over 40 years, we have been helping with water damage issues, refining our process along the way. We can quickly find hidden damages that others might miss and document everything for your insurance company.
Reliable Water Damage Restoration Network
We aren't afraid to ask for help if it means a safer, more enjoyable environment for your family or customers. In fact, we have access to a network of industry pros who are experts in a range of water damage services. To make your life a little easier, we also work with insurance professionals who assist with the claims process.
What Does Disaster Response Fix?
As an IICRC-certified water damage contractor in New Bedford, MA, our technicians can address several areas of your home or business that have been damaged by a water disaster.
- Floors: It's very important to take the necessary time and steps to effectively dry your floors to prevent any potential water damage and mold growth in the future.
- Walls: Depending on the amount of water that enters your business or home, the structural integrity of your property may be at stake. Our technicians will evaluate the situation, inspect your property, and replace materials damaged by water.
- Rugs: If your rugs get wet during flooding or from another water disaster, they may be salvageable. We'll work hard to save all the rugs in your property.
- Furniture: Your furniture is probably expensive and may hold a certain level of sentimental value. Instead of throwing it away or donating it to New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Visitor Center in New Bedford, we can repair and restore it.
Disaster Response specializes in every kind of damage caused by rain, wind, or snowstorms. We handle water damage, mold, mildew, and more, and can be at your home or office within an hour of your call to assess the situation and put a water damage restoration plan into action.
What Tools Does Disaster Response Use for Water Damage Clean-Up?
We only use the best equipment! With our extensive experience in the New Bedford restoration industry, we've acquired state-of-the-art tools designed to tackle a wide range of challenges. This experience has also allowed our technicians to identify which type of equipment is best for a particular situation. Some of the most common water damage restoration tools we use include:
Infrared Cameras
Our infrared cameras give us the ability to see moisture in walls and ceilings that is not visible to the naked eye, almost like having "X-ray" vision. This capability allows us to detect and address trapped and hidden humidity, significantly reducing the risk of mold growth.
Moisture Meters
We use moisture meters to measure moisture levels in cellulose material. Before and after the drying process, we will conduct moisture readings in all areas of your property. If we detect moisture in an unaffected area of your building, we'll get to work quickly to dry it.
Air Movers
This equipment is designed to work in conjunction with our dehumidifiers. While our dehumidifiers extract moisture from the air and convert it to a liquid, our Air Mover helps to circulate this moisture in the air so that the dehumidifier can effectively remove it.
Ozone Generators
These advanced tools enable us to cleanse affected surfaces and the air in a more effective manner. Ozone Generators work by causing oxygen molecules to implode, making them a valuable deodorization tool.
Xtreme Xtractor
This tool is great for tackling tough moisture after water damage. It allows us to apply direct pressure to a surface, like a carpet, that has soaked up water. The pressure helps draw out the water, making it easier to remove.
Top 3 Types of Water Damage You Should Know About
Water damage can strike without warning and can wreak havoc on your property, leaving you feeling hopeless and overwhelmed. Whether it's from a burst pipe, a severe storm, or an overflowing appliance, your property needs immediate water damage clean-up in New Bedford, MA, to prevent further harm. Here are the top three types of water damage you should know about:
Clean Water Damage
This type of water damage happens from a "clean" source, such as rainwater or a broken pipe in your home. It's easier to clean up than others on this list but can still cause extensive property damage when ignored.
Gray Water Damage
Gray water damage stems from appliances such as toilets without feces, washing machines, and dishwashers. Gray water sometimes contains bacteria and contaminants that can make you or your family sick.
Black Water Damage
The name alone indicates the severity of this type of water damage. It's caused by backed-up sewer lines, river flooding, and standing water that supports bacteria growth. Black water presents serious health hazards and needs to be handled by professional water damage contractors.
If you suspect your home or business has been damaged by one or more of the types of water above, take the following steps:
- Be Safe: Turn off all electricity running through your property. Don't go near or touch any water you believe to be contaminated.
- Stop the Source of Water: If you're able, put a stop to the water at its source. That way, you can prevent more damage.
- Call Disaster Response: Contact our water damage company ASAP for water restoration services. Our team is available 24/7 to respond to emergencies.
Our Process for Water Damage Restoration in New Bedford, MA
Having a water damage restoration company by your side who knows how to remediate moisture is a key factor in getting your life back on track. At Disaster Response, we have refined our process over 40+ years of water damage clean-up experience. That way, we can provide customers with reliable, comprehensive service when they need it the most.
We utilize powerful pumps and vacuums to eliminate standing water from your property. Swift water removal is essential in minimizing damage and lowering the likelihood of mold growth. Our team is dedicated to ensuring efficient water extraction to prevent any additional complications.
After extracting water from your property, we dry and dehumidify the impacted areas. We use industrial-grade dehumidifiers and air movers to do so to eliminate moisture from walls, floors, and furniture. Proper drying helps prevent warping, swelling, and the growth of mold.
Whenever we deal with water damage, we have to address the potential contaminants and bacteria that can enter your home. We make sure to thoroughly clean and sanitize all affected areas to create a safe living environment. This involves cleaning carpets, upholstery, and personal belongings. Our technicians also use antimicrobial treatments to prevent mold and bacterial growth.
The final step in the process is the restoration of your home to its pre-damage condition. This comprehensive restoration process may encompass a range of tasks, from minor repairs such as replacing drywall and installing new carpeting to major reconstruction efforts. Rest assured that Disaster Response is fully equipped to manage all aspects of water damage restoration, from start to finish.
- Maintenance: Have your business or home's roof, appliances, and plumbing inspected by professionals to spot early signs of wear and tear.
- Water Alarms: If there is a flood or leak in your home, a water alarm can alert you so that you can take action immediately.
- Drainage: Your home needs proper drainage systems in place at all times. To prevent water buildup, be sure to unclog your downspouts and gutters.
- Cracks and Gaps: Be sure to seal up any cracks and gaps in your property's foundation to limit water from getting inside.
The Water Damage Company in New Bedford, MA, You Can Trust
When you want a great steak, you don't go to a fast-food joint and expect a filet. You go to a New Beige in New Bedford. When you need quality disaster response services from licensed professionals, you don't go to a fly-by-night shop. You contact Disaster Response.
As a local water damage clean-up business, we believe that providing clients with effective service that they can rely on in times of stress is of utmost importance. While some of our competitors prioritize profits over people, you can rest easy knowing we care about you - and that's something you can always count on when you choose our water damage company.
Whether a pipe has burst in your commercial space and your showroom is flooding, or your home has standing water from a New Bedford rainstorm, we're here for you 24/7. Contact our office to learn more about the Disaster Response difference or to schedule an inspection for your property today.
Contact Your Emergency Disaster Response Now!
Latest News in New Bedford, MA
New Bedford Pizza Places Dave Portnoy Has Visited, Reviewed, and the Scores [VIDEOS]
Gazellehttps://fun107.com/new-bedford-dave-portnoy-pizza-reviews/
Pizza connoisseur and Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy paid a visit to New Bedford on October 7 to give locals a taste of his viral “One Bite” pizza review series.Portnoy, known for his no-holds-barred ratings and blunt commentary, stopped by several well-known spots in the area, and his highly anticipated YouTube reviews are now live.Here’s how each New Bedford based slice stacked up according to the "One Bite" standard.At Dipper Cafe, Portnoy enjoyed the “sea vibes” ambiance ...
Pizza connoisseur and Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy paid a visit to New Bedford on October 7 to give locals a taste of his viral “One Bite” pizza review series.
Portnoy, known for his no-holds-barred ratings and blunt commentary, stopped by several well-known spots in the area, and his highly anticipated YouTube reviews are now live.
Here’s how each New Bedford based slice stacked up according to the "One Bite" standard.
At Dipper Cafe, Portnoy enjoyed the “sea vibes” ambiance but mentioned the pizza had a slight grease factor, though not as intense as Ray’s.
He likened Dipper Cafe’s pizza to a “bar pie,” describing it as satisfying with good taste. Its balance of flavors and texture impressed Portnoy enough to award a respectable 7.6 score.
Portnoy’s second stop was Ray’s Pizza, an old-school joint that’s a New Bedford staple. True to his signature style, he appreciated the traditional vibe but noted the pizza was incredibly greasy, earning it the title “Grease Ball.”
Despite needing four paper towels to tackle the grease, Portnoy praised the crust’s crispness and flavor. However, the extra oil knocked it down a bit in his books, leading to a final rating of 7.3.
Finally, Portnoy hit up Pa Raffa’s, a beloved, family-run pizzeria. Although he admired the nostalgic mom-and-pop atmosphere, he noted the pizza’s “floppy” consistency and commented it could use a bit more “crunch.” He coined it a “cracker pizza” and remarked on its pleasant flavors, giving it a slightly lower rating of 7.1.
Portnoy also made a quick trip to Central Cafe in Middleboro, extending his SouthCoast pizza tour beyond New Bedford.
At the end of the day, regardless of the scores, his visit put a spotlight on New Bedford’s pizzerias and showcased the character and quality that define the area’s pizza spots.
The Best of South Shore Bar Pizza
There's pizza, and then there's South Shore Bar Pizza. Birthed in Brockton (and to this writer, perfected in Randolph – Lynwood Café is the true G.O.A.T.), it must meet certain qualifications to be considered "SSBP," which include: it's a 10-inch pie; it has a thin, cracker-like crust with minimal "flop;" the cheese is a blend that features more cheddar than mozzarella; and bonus points if you take it home between two carboard-type plates wrapped in flat brown paper bag. They also usually come with "laced" or "burnt" edges (terminology depends on where you are ordering), which is when the sauce and cheese are extended all the way to the edge of the pan, creating a crispy, flavorful coating to the crust. We reached out to the hugely popular South Shore Bar Pizza Social Club Facebook group to ask the experts to share the best of the best (in no particular order).
25 of the Best Pizza Spots on the SouthCoast
Not all pizza is created equal, but the SouthCoast has plenty of options for a high-quality slice. Choose from any of these 25 spots to fully take advantage of National Pizza Day.
Thanksgiving Pizza on the SouthCoast and Beyond
Looking for your entire Thanksgiving dinner to be hand held? These Massachusetts and Rhode Island pizza shops can help you out with that. See how many Thanksgiving favorites you can fit in one slice.
Barstool Pizza Review - The Dipper Cafe (New Bedford, MA)
El Presidentehttps://www.barstoolsports.com/video/3529847/barstool-pizza-review-the-dipper-cafe-new-bedford-ma
el pres+ 6 Tags25 videosNow PlayingBarstool Pizza Review - The Dipper Cafe (New Bedford, MA)...
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Thanksgiving reservations fill up quickly. Make yours at these SouthCoast spots.
Faith Harringtonhttps://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/entertainment/holiday/thanksgiving/2024/10/29/places-taking-thanksgiving-reservations-new-bedford-westport-middleboro-mattapoisett-ma/75898146007/
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, restaurants across the SouthCoast are whipping up a delicious holiday meal.It can be overwhelming to host, prepare, and clean up a complete Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings, thankfully you can skip all the fuss and make a reservation to your favorite eatery.According to a survey last year from Popmenu, 32% of Americans said they&r...
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, restaurants across the SouthCoast are whipping up a delicious holiday meal.
It can be overwhelming to host, prepare, and clean up a complete Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings, thankfully you can skip all the fuss and make a reservation to your favorite eatery.
According to a survey last year from Popmenu, 32% of Americans said they’ll be ordering their meal to-go this year, while another 17% would be dining in a restaurant.
Those dining out are looking for an easier, more convenient, way to celebrate the holiday. For stress-free meal planning here are some Greater New Bedford restaurants gearing up for Thanksgiving:
Popping the question:Best places to have your wedding in Greater New Bedford
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
There’s a Thanksgiving Bountiful Buffet at Bittersweet Farm, 38 Main Road, Westport. Get all your favorites with fall appetizers like country bread and chicken rice soup; delicious sides like Portuguese stuffing, smoked salmon, and butternut pumpkin ravioli; turkey and prime rib carving stations; and yummy desserts. It is $48 per person and $18 for children 12 and under. To reserve your spot, call 508-636-0085.
Thanksgiving calls for a visit to Merrill's on the Waterfront for their Thanksgiving Harvest Buffet at 36 Homer’s Wharf, New Bedford. Start with a fresh vegetable crudite or a harvest salad; dig into seafood paella, apple cider glazed chicken thighs or the hand-carved turkey or prime rib; and enjoy all the sides and delightful desserts. It is $48 per person and $18 for children 12 and under. Make your reservation at https://www.merrillswaterfront.com/holiday-reservations.
Reservations are being taken at BOCCA for Thanksgiving Day at 100 Alden Road, Fairhaven. They will have a limited menu including including a traditional roasted turkey dinner, honey glazed ham, chef specials, and favorites from their regular dinner menu. Call 508-993-9913 to hold your reservation with a credit card.
What's to blame?These 6 Greater New Bedford restaurants closed in recent months
Make Thanksgiving easy by giving Fireside Classic American Grille a call at 508-947-5333 for a reservation. At 30 Bedford St., Middleboro, they will be dishing out entrees like a Traditional Native Turkey Dinner, vegetarian wellington, short ribs, baked stuffed shrimp, fresh New England haddock, and three different-sized cuts of prime rib.
You will be able to get dinner at The Inn on Shipyard Park, 13 Water St., Mattapoisett, for Thanksgiving. They are accepting reservations from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. by calling 508-758-4922.
White's of Westport is hosting a delicious Bountiful Harvest Buffet at 66 State Road Westport. From fresh apple cider and cheese and crackers to Seafood Newburg and all the vegetables, the buffet is jam-packed. There are also turkey and sirloin carving stations and a bunch of desserts to taste test. It is $43 for adults and $19 for children 12 and under. Buy your tickets at https://simpletix.com/e/thanksgiving-bountiful-harvest-buffet-tickets-189934.
State picks New Bedford waterfront site for ocean energy center
Arthur Hirschhttps://newbedfordlight.org/state-picks-new-bedford-waterfront-site-for-ocean-energy-center/
NEW BEDFORD — The state’s alternative-energy development agency has chosen a waterfront spot for a center devoted to ocean-related power research, building and field-testing equipment, and cultivating new enterprises.The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center wants to lease less than half an acre from the New Bedford Port Authority on MacArthur Boulevard encompassing the 19th-century Bourne Counting House and a parking area next to it.The stone structure would provide office and meeting space. A portion of the parking lo...
NEW BEDFORD — The state’s alternative-energy development agency has chosen a waterfront spot for a center devoted to ocean-related power research, building and field-testing equipment, and cultivating new enterprises.
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center wants to lease less than half an acre from the New Bedford Port Authority on MacArthur Boulevard encompassing the 19th-century Bourne Counting House and a parking area next to it.
The stone structure would provide office and meeting space. A portion of the parking lot is slated for a new structure for building prototypes for ocean-related energy technology — chiefly, but not exclusively, wind power.
“This project is an exciting new opportunity for New Bedford to develop technology businesses, generate new demand for existing businesses, and elevate its stature as a leader in maritime industries,” Mayor Jon Mitchell wrote in a letter to the City Council, sending along a proposed 15-year lease for consideration this week.
Mitchell wrote that the center — to be established next to Merrill’s restaurant, across MacArthur Boulevard from the Fairfield Inn & Suites — “will establish a platform on which marine technology of all types can be developed and commercialized into new businesses.” He said it will also serve as a meeting point for industry conferences.
“There is an emerging marine science and tech cluster in the South Coast and the Rhode Island area. We want to support that,” said Bruce Carlisle, managing director of offshore wind for MassCEC. “This will expand New Bedford’s role around ocean renewable energy and ocean climate tech.”
Carlisle said early this year that because New Bedford is becoming a center of the offshore wind industry, it made sense as a spot for the Ocean Renewable Energy Innovation Center. He said then that the project would enhance the city’s role in the industry and be part of the state’s effort to reduce carbon emissions to curb climate change.
“New Bedford has a tremendous amount of infrastructure, marine services, and a deep water port,” Carlisle said. “We believe that, if we are going to lean into an innovation center, it should be in New Bedford.”
Carlisle has estimated that the center will cost about $1.5 million a year to operate, likely supported by a mix of federal funds, corporate sponsorships, and lease payments from main tenants.
He said earlier this year that the center is meant to eventually accommodate about two dozen startup companies at full capacity and five to eight industry partners. He added that the industry partners likely won’t have their main offices in the center, but will instead use the center for their research and development teams.
In an interview with The Light on Monday, Mayor Mitchell spoke of the importance of broadening the scope of industries on the Port of New Bedford. While previous investment has focused on physical jobs related to the offshore wind industry, the center is among the first projects that expand into the creative and innovative spaces of the clean-energy industry.
“When it comes to the maritime industries, we want to be a city of both big shoulders and big brains,” Mitchell said. “There is a tremendous amount of pent-up knowledge and know-how here in New Bedford. A place like this that enables researchers and corporations to put their heads together will create greater efficiencies and great new ideas and businesses to emerge.”
The CEC’s schedule calls for work on the project to begin early next year and operations starting in the summer of 2026. The state has allocated $15 million for the venture, including $10 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
“We have built out a great deal of the port over the last few years,” Mitchell said. “We also need a place where new innovation is materialized and commercialized so that we can continue to have a competitive edge over other ports.”
The project includes no costs for the city, Mitchell says. Starting next January, the city is due to collect $38,000 a year in lease payments, adjustable annually to changes in the Consumer Price Index. That’s equal to the sum the Port Authority — which is expected to vote on the lease on Sept. 24 — receives in parking fees from the site, the mayor’s letter says.
“This is all upside for New Bedford,” Mitchell said. “In the best-case scenario, this becomes a national leader in innovation that competes against similar facilities being built elsewhere, like in Brooklyn. In the worst-case scenario, if it doesn’t succeed, the city gets the building at the end of the lease term.”
Merrill’s restaurant is expected to stay open, and the Ground Floor coffee shop and catering business are expected to continue operations in the counting house, also known as the Merrill’s Wharf Building. The hotel and the restaurant, which use the parking lot, will be accommodated with parking across the street at the old Eversource site, Mitchell’s letter says.
A CEC summary of the project prepared for the City Council this month says the site was chosen from an original list of seven prospects, winnowed to five. The agency issued a 100-page report on the venture last December, and put out a request for information on potential sites early this year.
The agency originally said they were looking for building space at least 37,000 square feet within a quarter-mile of the waterfront.
“You can open a coworking space anywhere,” Carlisle said. “The differentiator here is direct access to the ocean. If we are going to be a leader in climate tech and innovation, these startups need to be able to demonstrate to their buyers that their technology works in its intended environment: the ocean.”
Mitchell says there’s good reason to believe the center will succeed.
“Incubators work best when they are in a fertile economic ecosystem,” he said, in an interview. “We have one of the densest concentrations of maritime businesses in the U.S. A place where people can bring their ideas to be implemented is exactly what we have needed for a long time.”
Earlier this year, both Mitchell and Carlisle mentioned the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult in the United Kingdom as a model for what this center in New Bedford could become. If the operation here is doing that kind of work in five to 10 years, it would be a success, Carlisle said at the time.
The Catapult web site shows that the operation, established in 2013, has built more robust supply chains for the industry, and has worked on wind turbine blade design, cable systems, robotics for maintenance, and better communications to bolster worker safety in remote field locations.
Recent events have spotlighted continuing challenges in wind turbine technology, and field practices.
In July, a blade on an offshore turbine that is part of the Vineyard Wind 1 project broke off, scattering fiberglass and foam debris that washed up on beaches in Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and Westport. The manufacturer, GE Vernova, in early reports attributed the failure to a manufacturing error.
In August, another GE Vernova turbine blade failed, this time at the Dogger Bank wind farm off the northeast coast of England. It was the third blade failure in four months.
GE Vernova has said the incidents were not related. The first was tied to an installation error, and the most recent was apparently due to human error, in that the blade was left locked in a fixed position that made it more susceptible to breaking during high winds.
The ORE center would complement New Bedford’s role as the staging ground for the Vineyard Wind 1 project, one of the United States’ first commercial wind farms, being built about 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. The farm is designed to include 62 turbines producing 800 megawatts, or about enough electricity to power 400,000 homes. Vineyard Wind’s first turbines began delivering power to the electric grid in early January. Its electricity production has been suspended since July because of the broken blade.
Last spring, the first turbine parts arrived at the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal from Portugal aboard a heavy-load carrier.
The moment was a turning point the work developing the Port of New Bedford for offshore wind operations that began about eight years ago, involving about $1 billion in city, state, federal and private investment, including removing polychlorinated biphenyl, or PCB contamination, from the harbor after decades of industrial dumping.
New Bedford Light reporter Will Sennott contributed to this story. You can reach the reporters at ahirsch@newbedfordlight.org and wsennott@newbedfordlight.org.
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