Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller reports in her most recent email newsletter that Mark Development was the only developer to respond to the city’s RFP to find a new site for police department headquarters. And she adds, “…there’ll have to be some tough negotiating to get the proposal to a place where it makes sense for the City.
Here’s her full comment…
The City received only one response to our request for proposals for a site to locate a new police complex, and at first glance, I’ve got a few concerns.That’s not to say the whole undertaking is off the table, but let’s just say there’ll have to be some tough negotiating to get the proposal to a place where it makes sense for the City.A little background: A few months ago, Police Chief David MacDonald took me on a tour of the Newton Police Headquarters, as well as those in Watertown and Weston. Suffice it to say, ours is in dire need of an upgrade. It’s too small, parking is limited, and the building is not up to current safety codes. A new police complex, however, would be very expensive and we have a lot of competing needs.But what if there were a way to capture the value of the current headquarters, a prized piece of real estate in West Newton Square, and find a way to build a new station, preserve the historic Police Headquarters building, and strengthen the vibrancy of the village center?We issued a request for proposals last month, with a deadline of today, to see if there was anyone interested.Mark Development (Robert Korff’s company) responded with a plan that essentially trades about 1.7 acres of land off Craft Street (next to our DPW facilities) and provides $7 million for constructing a new Police Headquarters in exchange for the current Police headquarters, garage and annex in West Newton Square.An advisory committee made up of Police Chief David MacDonald and other department heads, and four City Councilors (Lenny Gentile, Allan Ciccone, Deb Crossley, and Barbara Brousel-Glaser) has been convened to study the proposal and advise me on how to proceed. Stay tuned.In the meantime, we’re working to get the full proposal from Mark Development posted online tomorrow.
A one month window on the RFP does not give potential trading partners enough time to seriously consider their options. Give them at least 90 days [preferably 180 days] and more opportunities will present themselves. This exchange is a good idea that simply needs more time to develop.
Also, I’d suggest the City contemplate using its power of eminent domain to acquire a suitable property. The new site will likely remain police headquarters for 50-100 years, so it’s more important to nail the right location than it is to land exactly the right property swap.
We need more information. What is the projected cost of a new police headquarters? The city owns several acres on Crafts St.
Use some of the land for the HQs. If the city plans to sell the existing HQs, put it on the market and see how much it might get.
Why give it away to Korff for nothing. This is as stupid as giving away the Austin St parking lot.
I got the email, and read that as disappointment that there was only one proposal and that the proposal as is is not close to satisfactory.
It may well be that keeping the RFP open longer, as Mike Striar says, is one avenue, if only to attract better negotiating leverage (the ultimate leverage now is the option to walk away, I suppose)
The time limit to respond to the RFP was inappropriate to say the least. It was obvious to all that Korf would be the only developer who would be ready to respond. There are lots of things about this idea I don’t like. I’m not convinced we should sell the police station building. It’s a beautiful building and it’s city owned. We’ve learned from past experiences that selling buildings doesn’t work out well when a need arises in the future.
Has anyone studied how much it will cost to build the police station now and for the years to come, including what location might be best and how much land is needed for the station and for parking – maybe under grounding? Or are we letting a developer decide how much he’s willing to pay, the of the size land and it’s location. Doesn’t make any sense if that’s what’s going on.
I am Korfed out. I’d like to see some non-Korf ideas for Newton. But I don’t think anyone could be surprised by how this is playing out so far.
Given the anti developer stance of Newton, we shouldn’t be surprised only a single develop bid.. too much headache, risk
@Bugek
The fact that a 30 day limit was attached to this RFI was so transparently Korff oriented – everyone with half a brain – even ME! – could see that this was going to be a 1 developer proposal.
It was probably his suggestion to the mayor, I suspect.
And it wasn’t even a month. The RFI was dated May 10. Three weeks to respond.
The latest rumor is that Marty’s has agreed to sell. So, just Imagings wahat can be done with Whole Foods, Marty’s, and the lots behind $$$
Rick, as of a few weeks ago Marty’s was definitely not selling, so that would be huge news. But if the price is right, with rental space as part of a new project, I’m be surprised but not shocked. For the record, I love Marty’s and that Whole Foods. Not yet seeing the positive here for my neck of the woods. Details will matter. A lot.
For the record, I think the RFI being structured this way was a mistake. I don’t care if it was 30 days, 60 days, or 90 days. If you are the city and are trying to start a lengthy process to discuss Washington Street, starting out by coming up with an inventive idea (land swap) and then making the review period so short is just silly.
As the city you WANT multiple ideas, multiple options. That increases the value of your asset. Absent some reason why this police station is insanely deficient, this was the mark of an inexperienced administration not being able to separate a potentially good idea from a definitely rushed process, leading to inevitable anger, confusion, delay, multiple complaints, etc, etc.
You can have the best idea in the world and if you don’t respect a reasonable process you’ll end up with nothing but what you started with…a good idea that goes nowhere. Would 90 days have caused so many problems? Geez.
But hey, perhaps they were trying to get everyone to gain consensus through mocking the process? Because looking at this thread, seems like that happened. Huzzah. Agreement at last.
With all that said, there COULD be merit in the idea of a land swap, especially if the police station needs major work. But I’d need someone to prove that to me.
Also, I’d need someone to speak more about the historic buildings being traded here. If the developer intends to add floors, destroy the park, wipe out the annex, whelp, I’m a hard no. And the city should be too.
I see a lot of potential along Washington Street. That doesn’t start by destroying West Newton’s history and charm. There is a big different between the Orr Block and the police station.
Have you ever known the Mayor to rush anything?? She’s one of the most thoughtful elected officials we have. Enough said.
The bid is still not posted on the Purchasing web page. And it’s not like it came in at the last minute. It was on the bidlist when I looked May 27.
Tom:
Well, she rushed this. 30 days for RFI clearly was too short if was meant to be a true RFI process. If it was meant as a stalking horse to conceal an already discussed arrangement, then probably not too short. But then I’ll substitute underhanded as my adjective of choice.
I’m all for wanting this to work. But we don’t convince folks that this is a fair process by…actually making the process unfair.