# Peabody City Council Industrial & Community Development Committee Meeting - October 22, 2026


**Body:** Peabody TV
**Date:** October 21, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Construction & Infrastructure, Environment, Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding


The Peabody City Council Industrial & Community Development Committee met on October 22, 2026, to receive updates on the North River Resiliency Plan and Centennial Park strategic planning study. Consultants from Weston & Sampson and UTIL presented flood modeling for the Walnut Street corridor and recommended zoning approaches to support redevelopment while improving flood resilience, including elevating most building space above the design flood elevation and limiting building touchdown at grade. The committee received the presentation; no contract award or new procurement decision was made. The city said it would next consider zoning changes and related implementation strategies.

The committee also reviewed the Centennial Park study, funded by a $65,000 MassDevelopment Site Readiness Program grant and a $10,000 Community Development Authority match. The work involved MassDevelopment’s real estate office and R&D Economic Consultants. Proposed next steps include continued stakeholder engagement, potential zoning changes, and investigation of District Improvement Financing (DIF) alongside infrastructure needs such as sidewalks, roads, signage, and access. Members discussed mixed-use opportunities, redevelopment, and possible rail or roadway improvements. No spending vote or contract approval occurred; the committee voted to receive the presentations.

**Source:** Peabody TV