Great Barrington — The town is looking for more information from the two potential developers for the former Housatonic School building, located on 207 Pleasant St. in Housatonic, which was built in 1907 and served as an elementary school until it closed down in 2003.
In January, the town put out a request for proposals to redevelop the building. During the summer, the town accepted bids by WDM Properties LLC of North Adams, and Arete Venture Partners LLC of Nanuet, N.Y.
WDM Properties has set out plans to turn the building into 10 two-bedroom market-rate residential units, while Arete Venture Partners wants to turn the property into a mixed-use building consisting of 14 residential apartments. Representatives from both companies presented their plans at a Select Board meeting on August 22.
On Tuesday, September 13, the town issued a press release that said officials are looking for more information from both developers. According to a document sent to The Berkshire Edge by Town Manager Mark Pruhenski, as part of the proposal, both companies are required to submit commitment letters from lenders, along with a plan detailing the construction and permanent financing for the project.
The companies are also required to submit detailed site plans that show the locations of parking, utilities, entrances and exits, dumpsters, landscaping, sidewalks, and stormwater management.
Finally, both companies are required to submit a construction project schedule, along with a narrative description of proposed uses, a marketing plan, a development budget, and property management maintenance plans. The requested details were part of the request for proposals that was issued by the town in January.
In his email, Town Manager Pruhenski did not specify whether or not either company had submitted the requested information to the town. The town has given the deadline of Friday, September 30 to both companies to submit the information. However, the press release from the town states that “the town will grant a reasonable extension if requested.”
Pruhenski stated that the Select Board would not be taking up the proposals for the building again until late October. According to the calendar on the town’s website, there is a Select Board regular meeting scheduled for Monday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m.
