City staff: two urban-renewal parcels moving toward sale; land-disclosure approvals pending
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Summary
Director Stevens said Gardner staff are advancing sales for the Garbo’s parcels and 205 Main Street; because both parcels lie in urban renewal zones, land-disposition/disclosure agreements must be approved by the redevelopment authority (referred to in the transcript as EOHLC/HLC), and lawyers are drafting purchase-and-sale terms.
Director Stevens told the committee that the Garbo’s parcels (reported in the discussion as 115 Mill Street and 85 Winter Street) and a separate parcel at 205 Main Street are moving toward sale, but both remain subject to land-disposition requirements for properties inside urban renewal zones.
Stevens said the city has given initial notice to prospective buyers and has engaged lawyers to draft purchase-and-sale terms. He said land-disposition and disclosure agreements for parcels in urban renewal zones must be approved by the city authority referenced in the meeting documents and that staff are working with that authority and with counsel.
On 205 Main Street, one councilor asked whether new development would create sight-line or safety concerns at the corner near the police station. Stevens said any new development must comply with current city code and modern setback and sight-line requirements, so buildings will be pushed back from Main Street to ensure adequate visibility.
Stevens said staff are prioritizing these parcels and want the city to see the sites reused for projects “the public can be proud of,” whether for public use or private development that meets city standards. No votes were taken at the Oct. 3 meeting on these sales; Stevens said negotiations and legal drafting are ongoing.