1.    5:30 P.M.  CALL TO ORDER

 

Present:   Vice Pres. Lowther

                 Councilors LaPietra, Overton, Scialabba, Cordio, Aiello

                 T. Mgr. Lacey; Co. Clk. LeBlanc

 

        Absent:    T. Sol. Conley

                        T. Sgt. Falcone

 

 

2.     PRESENTATION

 

a.     Tower Street School Reuse Study Update – Discussion

 

        Present:   Charles Royce, President and Treasurer, Royce Family Fund, Inc.

                                 Nicholas Moore, Esq., Chief of Staff, Royce Family Fund, Inc.

                        Danny Forrester, Royce Family Fund, Inc.

                        Thomas Liguori, Jr., Esq., representing Royce Family Fund, Inc.

                        Linda Schreiber, Consultant

                        Meg Lyons, Meg Lyons Architects, Inc.

                        Rod Grozier, President/CEO, GRO

                        Stephanie Bandzak, Sr. Consultant of Facility Development & Design, GRO

                                 Shannon Gilkey, Commissioner for Higher Education for State of RI

                                 Alison Croke, President and CEO, Wood River Health

 

     Attorney Liguori presented a brief history of the Tower Street property, which was entered into a lease/purchase agreement between the Town and the Royce Family Fund.  He stated that the recommendation tonight includes continued Town land ownership with a long-term lease through a special purpose entity and its implications and being able to access funding.  He explained that the agreement included the Royce Family Fund’s obligation to coordinate a community-wide assessment of possible future uses of the property and an evaluation of feasibility of said uses.  He stated that a feasibility study was conducted as to the reuse potential of Tower Street School, and it was concluded that the condition of the building is such that reuse is very costly and would still continue to be inefficient to operate in the New England climate.  He reported that several priorities of needs have emerged from extensive community outreach, including additional job training facility to supplement the Westerly Education Center, health care including behavioral health and dental care for Medicare and Medicaid eligible patients, day care, child watch and afterschool daycare for parents to enter the workforce or complete job training, municipal recreational facilities, and low- and moderate-income housing.  He presented an outline of the meeting, which is attached hereto and made a part of the record of these proceedings. 

 

     Ms. Schreiber explained that the process utilized in this study and a proven process for capital development starts with PEOPLE + PROGRAM + PLACE.  She explained that Phase I started with getting organized: secured the site, formalized agreements, and formed project teams; Phase 2 involved people:  mapped out community engagement, assessed community needs and facility and site assessed; Phase 3 involved program:  explored partnership model, explored program model, and identifying fund streams; Phase 4 is the meld and test:  report in on findings, design implications and by December 2023 will hone down on a few options; Phase 5: secure funds; Phase 6: design; Phase 7: construct; Phase 8: Open; and Phase 9: operate.  She stated that the project is currently in Phase 2 and addressed further, which included the depth of community engagement by review of existing data, input of organizing committee, current service providers added, one on one interviews, small group meetings, broader community input forum; past Tower Street Community Center provides and client interviews; talked to current service provides and additional one on one interviews.  She identified the top 6 needs in the community:  a community center – a connecting hub with multiple services; low-income housing; workforce development; rising healthcare issues and mental health challenges; youth services; and services for low-income and young families and single parents.  She addressed the Program:  potential partners to address these critical issues.  She stated that the three anchors include the Town, the Westerly Education Center, and Wood River Health.  She also addressed the Multicenter model, stating that the programs could reach 2,420 visits weekly.   

 

     Ms. Croke explained Wood River Health’s mission, the number of patients served, including Westerly residents.   

 

     Town Manager Lacey Shawn explained that the Town is lacking a recreation facility, stating that the office hub is currently located in the Olean Center.  He stated that there is a need for a gymnasium, outside recreation, and other recreation space, including adult recreation.  He explained that the gymnasium space in schools is limited and used for school programs. 

 

     Ms. Lyons addressed the Tower Street site, which consists of 11.25 acres, the typography, and the substantial area of wetlands, noting that only 7.5 acres is available for re-development.  She addressed the condition of the existing building, which was built in 1955 and expanded in 1990, including the deteriorated roof, the aging mechanical equipment, the removed piping from fixtures, the electrical systems not up to code, the damaged finishes, and the asbestos floors and mold.  She stated that it was recommended that the building be demolished, and a new purpose-built facility be constructed.

 

     Ms. Bandzak addressed the site location including existing impervious areas, its topography, the wetlands and trees, environmental conditions, space allocation; the 40,000 square foot building; and initial concepts.  She stated that a two-floor building could be constructed which would decrease the footprint and that there would be shared spaces within the building.  She addressed initial concepts and feedback: need for drop-off area and entry from the street, continue to refine required parking, and a preference for L-shaped building to shelter parking from neighbors and place.  She stated that initial schemes show the Town of Westerly with gymnasium space on the lower level, Wood River Health on the first floor, a drop in childcare space, opportunity for outdoor play space and Westerly Education Center on the upper level.   

 

     Discussion was held regarding housing needs, partnership with the YMCA with regards to a gymnasium and childcare center; open space; traffic impact; children/youth and family programs; goal for square footage of new building; zoning height regulations and possibly adding a third floor; electric charging stations; walkable town concept; possible expansion of structure; support of neighborhood needs and the neighborhood that will be mostly impacted; need for potential housing; multi-use spaces; potential programming; municipal ownership; building maintenance; and private funding.

 

     Mr. Grozier and Mr. Forster addressed the model of multi-tenant nonprofit center; addressed budget overview, stating that the project cost summary is $30,494,000.  They explained Option A: Town owned and funded (80% municipal bond, 10% federal and 10% state): Town retains ownership of land, Town funds total design & construction, primary funding source would be municipal bond, Town retains ownership of building, partners enlisted as tenants with individual leases, and leases to cover bond payment and annual upkeep; and Option B: Partner owned and funded (SPE) (45% private, 25% federal and 10% municipal and 20% state):  Town retains ownership of land; leases to SPE, partners source majority of funding, increased diversity of funding sources, blend of public and philanthropic; partnership coalition owns condo building, partners participate as condominium owners, and partners’ leases cover annual upkeep only; identified funding sources.  They addressed new market tax credits and Community Development Block Grants, stating that, unfortunately, the property is ineligible for tax credits.  He explained entities that own nonprofit centers and typical tenant mix of a nonprofit center.

 

     Attorney Moore addressed the next steps.  He stated that the group will host another public forum on September 18, 2023, complete the study, and make a presentation to the Town Council by the end of 2023.

 

 

3.     CITIZENS COMMENTS

 

     Sign-Up Sheets will be available at the Council Meeting for any citizens wishing to be heard.  Citizens who do not sign up to speak will have an opportunity to be heard following the individuals listed on the sign-up sheet.

 

     When addressing the Council, please state your name and address; please conduct yourself in an orderly and respectful fashion.  Citizens will have up to ten (10) minutes and one opportunity to speak.  The comments of citizens accessing this portion of our meeting are neither adopted nor endorsed by this body but heard as requested.  Comments shall be limited to agenda items only.  If the matter is scheduled for a public hearing, the comments shall be deferred to that agenda item. 

 

a.     Joseph Wagner, 4 Vose St, member of the Wilcox East Neighborhood Association – re: Supports the project

 

b.     Gina Fuller, 19 Moriah Dr, Director of Southern RI District - re: Thanked the Royce Foundation; asked Council to facilitate re-use of the Tower Street School

 

c.     Daniel Marantz, 33 Urso Dr – re: Asked that the project include affordable housing

 

COUNCILORS’ RESPONSE

 

     Councilors responded to Citizens’ Comments regarding support for neighborhoods and how the neighborhoods will be impacted; appreciation to the Royce Family Foundation for its involvement in the project that will benefit the community and the Town; green space; the housing component; walkable concept; and public/private partnerships.

 

 

4.     ADJOURNMENT

 

        7:44 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.

 

 

ATTEST:
	Mary L. LeBlanc, MMC Council Clerk

 

     Details of the aforesaid proceedings are available on audio on the Town of Westerly website.