Group explains plans for Peabody site

PEABODY – After several missed meetings, representatives from McNiff Builders, Inc. appeared before members of the Industrial and Community Development Committee to discuss their plans of 70 Endicott St.What is to become of the former school administration building has been in question since the city received two proposals for the site several months ago. The other bid came from North Shore Community Health who wanted to use the site as their organization’s headquarters, but they have since withdrawn their request.McNiff Builders, Inc. remained the only other interest, but their repeated absences caused councilors to second guess their motives.Attorney Jack Keilty represented McNiff Tuesday night, explaining that the company is in fact still hopeful to develop their original proposal of four single-family homes in a condominium-style layout. Owners of the units would share the same lot, pay minimal condo fees, and adhere to condo association rules, but also have exclusive rights to certain pieces of the property.Director of Community Development Jean Delios announced last night, however, that McNiff no longer stands alone as the site’s only interest. She said she has received several letters of interest on the vacant lot, some of which expressed plans of preserving the old building, which is something the city would be supportive of.Councilor Arthur Athas voiced his concern over the company’s follow-through.”My concern is?you selling the property to someone else,” he told McNiff, adding that he would like to see some language added to the RFP proposal that would restrict land use strictly to what was approved in the plan.Like many of the councilors, Athas would like to keep the neighborhood’s density low. Having McNiff back out of their deal and sell the property to a developer who will construct high-rise apartments or condos is not exactly what the city has in mind; hence why the building has remained vacant for over two years.The city could have sold the lot for $440,000 to a developer who had plans for a 32-unit high-density structure, but they voted against it. Now, McNiff has offered the city $202,062, the price for low-density.”I would like to keep this proposal for discussion,” said Councilor at large Ted Bettencourt, Jr., who juggled between opening it up to bid again or keeping faith in McNiff.”It seems this project is favorable, but I feel the need to look at other proposals, as well,” said Councilor Rico Mello.Despite his apprehension, Athas made a motion to keep McNiff as the sole bidder while they work out a sample property agreement to address the reselling issue.”I look at this as the best proposal,” he said. “I don’t want to end up with a high-rise project. “I’d like to keep this going forward.”The Committee voted unanimously in favor of Athas’ motion. McNiff will have until August 14 to present to the Committee a revised plan of the property, as well as solutions to their concerns.