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Select Board asks advisory bodies to review Center Street 'side‑lot' proposal before issuing RFI
Summary
After lengthy debate, the Select Board directed the Transportation Board, Economic Development Advisory Board, Housing Advisory Board and Planning Board to hold public presentations and submit memos on the Center Street side‑lot/sidewalk proposal before the Select Board issues an RFI; the decision follows concerns about market viability, merchant impacts and housing on public land.
Planning staff presented the Center Street Lot Committee’s preferred ‘side‑lot’ scheme and asked the Select Board to authorize an RFI (request for information) to test developer interest in a public‑private redevelopment. The RFI would be framed around the committee’s preferred option while allowing alternatives that meet the committee’s objectives.
The board split over whether to issue an RFI now or first obtain formal comment from advisory bodies. Supporters of an immediate RFI argued the tool would collect market feedback and accelerate an information‑gathering process. Opponents — including members of the advisory bodies who had written to the board — said EDAB, the Transportation Board, the Housing Advisory Board and the Planning Board had not yet reviewed the committee’s preferred option in detail and that issuing an RFI now could signal premature commitment to the market.
Select Board member Paul Warren moved that the specified advisory bodies convene public presentations/hearings on the committee’s side‑lot recommendation and provide memos summarizing issues, concerns and recommendations to the Select Board. The board added a direction that staff coordinate the presentations to consolidate feedback and synthesize findings. The motion passed with recorded concurrence from Paul, David and Michael and the chair recorded as opposed.
Key concerns raised during the debate included whether market-rate housing on public land is appropriate policy, potential long-term impacts on merchants who rely on surface parking, accessibility and construction impacts during a multi‑year build, and whether the existing parking‑lot operational problems (accessibility, curb repairs) should be addressed independently.
Next steps: staff will coordinate with the four advisory bodies to schedule public presentations and consolidate their written feedback for the Select Board. The RFI may be considered later if advisory‑board feedback and technical review (transportation and feasibility analysis) indicate a viable path forward.
