Developer withdraws from Peabody project

PEABODY – It’s back to the drawing boards for Peabody City Councilors as McNiff Builders have formally announced their proposal withdrawal for the redevelopment of 70 Endicott St.The announcement came as a shock to those councilors who really believed in the project and hoped to turn the abandoned building into something beneficial to the community. But, for Director of Community Development Jean Delios, she finds it “very telling that they withdrew.”Delios has felt uneasy about McNiff since their first missed meeting.”That created some doubt as to how serious he (Michael McNiff) was,” she said.Delios urged councilors at their last meeting in August to open up the bidding process for a third time and allow other interested parties to petition for the project. In a letter addressed to Mayor Michael Bonfanti last week, it seems as though it was that announcement that caused McNiff to back out.”I am taking this step because it is clear that your administration is desirous of placing this parcel out to bid for a third time and I do not think it would be advisable to undertake this project without support of your development team,” wrote McNiff. “The unending debate that has ensued for these months between City Council, Community Development and (the) Mayor’s Office has led me to the decision to withdraw my proposal.”McNiff went on to say that neither he nor his representatives were ever approached with issues regarding the project’s financing and he “cannot understand how there could be any misunderstanding.”Coincidentally enough, Bonfanti had written a letter to the council advising them to put the project out to bid just days before McNiff withdrew. He, too, explained his concerns over financing, but also added that there was a “lack of a public process in this section.”His words about the council’s disregard for neighbors wanting to speak on the matter upset several members Thursday night.”I thought we did handle this democratically,” said a disappointed City Councilor Ted Bettencourt, Jr.Bettencourt went on to say that Bonfanti’s remarks were inaccurate and that Community Development’s concerns were unfair. He believes that their concern about financing was just a way to stall the process because “they had their eye set on something else.”Councilor Dave Gravel “couldn’t concur more.” He said that if Community Development had such issues in regard to financing, site design, and floor plans, then the proposal shouldn’t have come before the Council until all of that information was received.”What’s bothersome to me is I’ve realized how little power we have,” said Councilor Arthur Athas, noting that the Council had voted to move forward with the project, but now must put it out to bid.According to Delios, there “really is no other option.”The issue will go back into committee to begin the process as soon as possible, although Bettencourt doesn’t expect to see much change at the site for almost a year.