Tuesday evening Special Council Meeting canceled
Posted on: August 16, 2016 - 6:39pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16, 2016
Contact: Blake Collins, bcollins@woonsocketri.org, office: (401) 762-6400 ex: 2963, cell: (508) 838-3371
Tuesday evening Special Council Meeting canceled
WOONSOCKET, RI: Today, Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt announced that the Woonsocket City Council work session scheduled for 5:00 pm regarding entering into an agreement with Hawthorne Development is canceled in light of the conflicting vote taken at Monday’s Council Meeting. The docket for Tuesday’s Council Work Session included the discussion of an agreement and a potential vote to authorize the administration to then enter into an agreement with Hawthorne Development for the development of the former Middle School.
“I am deeply disappointed in the outcome of Monday’s meeting and the message that it sends to investors and business owners who are considering Woonsocket as a viable place to do business and grow,” said Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt. “To have an entire year of effort and negotiations erased by a vote that obstructs progress in our community is beyond unfortunate – it is an insult to taxpayers who must now wait and see if redevelopment of the former Middle School will move forward.”
At Monday’s Council Meeting a resolution requiring the City to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the old Woonsocket Middle School, passed by a 4-3 vote. That action effectively halts ongoing negotiations with Hawthorne Development and resets the City’s efforts to market the former Middle School, which has sat vacant for over six years.
“I cannot help but scratch my head as to why a majority of the Council would decide to further delay redevelopment of the former Middle School when the City was inches away from entering into an agreement that would have guaranteed short-term progress on this project,” added Baldelli-Hunt. “Restarting this process introduces additional risk to the City by swapping a known outcome with an unknown result.”
Monday’s vote now requires the administration to produce an RFP for the redevelopment of the former Middle School, subject to City Council approval, by September 30, 2016 – the third RFP attempted since 2009. Recently, on August 5, Hawthorne Development executives presented their vision for the site before the City Council and members of the public at a special Work Session.
“Last night’s vote flies in the face of what was expressed at the August 5, Work Session by members of the Council,” said Baldelli-Hunt. “Councilors Brien and Gendron were quoted in the paper at that meeting as being ready to cooperate and predicted Council support of a revised agreement. Those words proved to be hollow after last night’s result.”
“My administration will move forward with producing an RFP and continue to work towards the goal of redeveloping the former Middle School,” added Baldelli-Hunt. “Since my first day in office I have committed to generating progress for our City and that effort will continue against what appears to be endless obstacles.”
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