Here are the original 1922 and 1923 plans from the Gloucester DPW archives for close inspection:
The Gloucester Daily Times published a construction status for the Western Avenue Project on June 5, 1923. Necessary delays were explained and some of the work would not be ready for Gloucester’s tercentenary celebration. The column indicates that the bridge house would be moved across the street–which didn’t happen then, but is happening in 2017– and mentions the state’s involvement.
“Work on Sea Wall Completed”- June 5 1923 update
Work on the construction of the new Western avenue seawall as far as the state is concerned, is practically completed and the lighters which for several months past have afforded great interest in many spectators have been withdrawn from the job…
On the western end of the park, the wall which held up the little park known as Marine Park is being capped with a four-foot cement topping, to bring it level to and joined with the new wall just completed from that point easterly toward Morgan’s store.
Although hopes had been held out that the entire boulevard could be completed in time for the celebration, doubts are expressed now if this can be brought to a conclusion because of the large amount of work to be done, such as filling in behind the wall just erected, and the laying out of the street. Before the street can be laid out, time must be allowed for the settling of the rock filling, thousands of tons of which are to be dumped behind the wall, and this, it is now believed by those in charge, will not be ready for surfacing until spring (1924) at the least.
The bridge-house and the small shed alongside of it are scheduled to be moved to the other side of the street so that an unobstructed view of the boulevard from The Tavern to…“
- Stacy Boulevard Construction update: what’s been done as of August 10, 2016 about 80% to the finish line seawall restored, sidewalks constructed, etc
Good Morning Gloucester 
I have been sharing your posts on FB and so many of my friends love reading these posts. Great job Catherine, thanks for all your research. So many of us have forgotten what we remember or even what we never thought to wonder about growing up here. Always wanted local history to be a course taught as a elective when I was at GHS, not that long ago..
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Catherine your research is fascinating! I think the CAM should put up a show of all your work on this in one cohesive walk through. Think of the possibilities! The only difficult part would be how to limit the scope. Gloucester’s living room and front yard, awesome and relentless Mother Nature.
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Agree Amazing! Love your work too Morgan
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This is a massive project and sometimes mother nature does not cooperate with work being done – Based on everything I see the finished product is going to leave those first impressions are lasting ones! Thanks for sharing! 🙂 Dave & Kim 🙂
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