By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – The Shrewsbury Development Corporation (SDC) met with the Board of Selectmen at their July 23 meeting to review the Centech Park North Master Plan. A public hearing was convened after the review.
Attorney Richard Ricker spoke on behalf of the corporation. He was supported by fellow members Julie Holstrom, Patrick Convery, Lisa A. Cossette and Dina Nichols.
“As you recall in 2001 the Master Plan for the town identified this site as important for industrial development,” Ricker said. “About the same time the property owner of what was formerly known as the Allen Farm entered into an agreement with Avalon Bay for development of 600 rental units. Because the property was designated Chapter 61A land, the town had a right of first refusal which it exercised in 2002 for the sum of $6.1 million.”
The SDC was formed to oversee development of the property and has been trying without success to secure a project for the site.
Ricker cited the lack of interior roadway infrastructure as the primary reason why prospects have not moved forward.
“We have had a number of different types of entities over the years that have been interested in the site. They’ve come to the dance but we didn’t have a partner, unfortunately,” he said.
The SDC continues to pursue potential developers, and they have two at present that are interested.
Actions have been taken to make the property marketable, including working with the Worcester Business Development Corporation to construct a market study. In 2012 a sewer extension from Route 20 to the property was completed and the property became a Priority Development Site through the 495/MetroWest Community Compact which is still in place today.
“We have improved our qualifications for becoming a MassEcon Market-Ready site…We still need MEPA approval for that designation and, as you know, MEPA is in process,” Ricker said. “MassWorks grant programs are being reviewed.”
“We applied for and were awarded a District Local Technical Assistance grant from [Central Mass Regional Planning Commission] to update the market study and master plan for the property,” Ricker noted. “Bohler Engineering has been working with us on the design for this roadway.”
In 2018, the town was approved for a $302,000 Site Readiness Grant for design and permitting.
Near the end of Ricker’s presentation, he displayed a side-by-side comparison between the 2008 and 2018 master plans. Notable differences were in developmental square footage and cost estimates of the North Road.
In 2008, the development potential was 611,000 square feet but dropped to 450,000 in 2018. Ricker said that this is more realistic based on today’s market.
The cost estimate for the North Road in 2008 was $2.5 million, while the 2018 estimate was $2.8 million.
“In essence, provided that there is financing and a will to go forward, this is shovel-ready?” inquired Selectman Jim Kane before the public hearing convened.
Ricker replied affirmatively.
The board unanimously approved the updated Master Plan.
