At their September 10 meeting, the Board of Selectmen decided to contact Common Ground Development Corp. [1] to explore the option of pursuing the Mixed Use District (MUD [1]) development project with them. For the past year, the Board of Selectmen and Harvest Fields [1], LLC [1] have been exploring various construction and financing scenarios, but have been unable to reach an agreement that is both financially feasible for the developer and meets the needs of the town.

Common Ground [1] submitted the proposal that was the town's second choice in the RFP [1] procsss. Their initial proposal presented two development concepts, because their preferred concept is dependent on getting financing under HUD [1]'s Section 202 housing program. If they can get HUD financing, their preferred approach would be to build a 54 unit development consisting of 22 senior rental units and 32 "for sale" units. A total of 35 units (65%) would be affordable for either low or moderate income residents. Otherwise, the alternative would be to build 43 "for sale units, 17 of which would qualify as affordable.

In January 2006, in accordance with Dunstable's affordable housing production plan, the Selectmen called for developers to submit proposals for an affordable housing project on the town-owned property in the Mixed Use District. Five proposals were submitted, one of which failed to meet the most basic requirements of the RFP. In June, 2006, based on the recommendation of the MUD Proposal Review Committee [1], the Selectmen chose to move forward on negotiations with Harvest Fields, LLC.

After the MUD development proposals were submitted, the project became more complicated when Gorman Management Trust decided to abandon plans for construction of a 30-unit apartment building on the site of 213-215 Pleasant Street, which lies on the northwest side of the bridge where Pleasant Street crosses Salmon Brook. The MUD project was dependent on Gorman's project for installation a larger water main from Pond Street to the Post Office.

The Selectmen are hopeful that Common Ground's eligibility for HUD financing could make the project more feasible. Of the developers who submitted proposals, Common Ground was the only one eligible for HUD financing. On September 17, the Selectmen had an initial meeting with Steve Joncas, CEO of Common Ground, who expressed interest in pursuing the project.

Related Articles

• Developers Attend Meeting on MUD Development RFP [1]
• Five Proposals Submitted in Response to Mixed Use District Development RFP [1]
• MUD Proposal Review Committee Nearing Recommendation [1]
• History of Mixed Use District Development [1]
• Selectmen to Open Negotiations with Harvest Fields, LLC for MUD Development [1]
• Discussion of MUD Development Begins [1]
• Nelson Meets with Selectmen to Discuss Salmon Brook Commons 40B Project [1]
• Selectmen Accelerate the Schedule on the MUD Development [1]
• Harvest Fields - Draft Document Reviewed [1]