King proposal has been confused by residents. At the last Selectmens meeting (aug. 6), King’s spokesperson scrolled through the presentation quickly. What has been lost in reportig and understanding by many is King’s plans include leaving the front of the fire station facing the common much what we see now. Media had this image in their original reporting but it has vanished in their latter reporting. Here are shots of Foxborough selectmen meeting of August 6th taken from cable access’ coverage. Writing in pink is mine, added for clarification.
Is it different from what you thought it would look?
Town Manager also said there was plenty of parking. He might be right but he didn’t mention liability issues surrounding lots not owned by the town.
- Lynch is planning to redevelop properties at 31-37 South Street and 6-8 Centennial Street.*. These properties are outlined in blue on the map below.
- Charles River Equity Partners are planning the redevelopment of 29 Wall Street into “50 apartments and a 4,600 square foot retail-office building”.* This property is outlined in brown on the map.
- The former fire station and Keating funeral home properties are outlined in green on the map. This is the location of Shovel Town Brewery/King proposal.
https://foxborough.wordpress.com/2019/05/18/four-bids-one-location/
Foxborough received four proposals to the Fire Station/Funeral Home RFP.
- Crugnale Properties, LLC
- Douglas A. King Builders Inc.
- Gibson Corner Realty
- MPZ Development LLC/Traggorth Companies LLC
“….Gibson Corner Realty submitted the lowest bid of $250,00; Douglas King Builders bid $405,000 for the combined properties, and the other two applicants each bid $400,000 — the minimum price established by the town….”[1]
Based on minimum bid amounts, only three should be considered:
- Crugnale Properties, LLC
- Douglas A. King Builders Inc.
- MPZ Development LLC/Traggorth Companies LLC
Why should the Gibson proposal not be considered? Because it missed a mark set by the Board of Selectmen. The Duffy’s $550,000 bid in 2015 was rescinded because it “did not have a comprehensive plan to develop the vacant buildings.”[2]. Another earlier bid in fall 2018 was rejected for “failing to meet the minimum qualifications and minimum asking price.”[3] Gibson Realty should be held to same. Would it be possible for Duffy and Gibson to pursue this proposal as a joint venture?
Of the other three proposals, the Crugnale bid was disqualified. That leaves Douglas A. King Builders and MPZ Development LLC proposals up for consideration.
King proposes leaving the facade of the Fire Station intact; MPZ proposes to demolish the Fire Station. “According to the request for proposals, the new buildings would have to be designed to be compatible with the existing architectural style of buildings in that area.”. Only the King proposal does.
King’s plan has the highest density and potential traffic impact due to the number of units proposed. Redevelopment of 29 Wall Street, Lynch’s redevelopments on nearby South and Market Streets, the old Post Office for sale, Orpheum revival, and Union Straw open, parking in the downtown area soon will be tighter than it is now.
There are many parking spaces downtown; newcomers to Foxborough might not know of them. As Selectman Feldman said, walking in snow from townhall parking lot to Orpheum or a restaurant might not be an enticement to residents and visitors. How will this issue be addressed? Are there plans to negotiate fewer residential units or increased on site parking spots? Designated parking for visitors, employees, and building residents?
Maps of parking spots in our downtown are available; no extra work, funding, or special site is needed as suggested by the town planner. The town could put an easy to find already existing map of parking spaces in town on its site. A few businesses in the downtown already have parking spot maps online.
Foxborough, MA - Musings From 02035 