BY TIMOTHY LAROCHE
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CLAREMONT — Between the many health, safety and fire code violations found at the Goddard Block last year, the biggest barrier to redevelopment has been a parking requirement.
More than a year after the Pleasant Street apartment block was closed in a coordinated code enforcement initiative, it’s a barrier that has been cleared. City councilors on Wednesday unanimously approved a parking rental agreement with real estate developer Kevin Laccasse of New England Family Housing, allowing work of on the apartment block to advance.
“I think everybody sees this as a collaborative effort,” Lacasse said. “This is just the catalyst to solve the parking problems that Pleasant Street is having as a whole.”
With almost a week left before Lacasse’s deadline to close on the project, the agreement allows the developer to access tax credit funding – the final step before redevelopment efforts on the apartment block can begin. The move opens 22 public parking spaces owned by the city in the parking lot near the American Legion building off Broad Street to be used by tenants of the Goddard Block.
“This gentleman… is willing to spend $10 million in our city,” Councilor Jeremy Zullo said. “If we’ve got to sacrifice a couple of public parking spaces that are never used, I think it’s an excellent idea and I’m on board.”
Construction is slated to begin in May on the $9 million rehabilitation project. Other than the frame and façade, nearly all aspects of the building are planned for a “full gut rehab.” At the time that Neighborhood Improvement through Code Enforcement ordered all tenants to vacate, the building lacked any fire protection or sprinkler systems or proper egress from apartments. In addition to having rat and bedbug infestations, the block was described as a “maze” of corridors and hallways.
Lacasse came before the council in June to request city assistance in finding a solution to the longstanding parking problems at the building. Like many other downtown business owners, Lacasse noted that parking minimums have been a barrier to development. City staff agreed to work with Lacasse to find a solution to the parking issues.
An initial study identified an unused Pleasant Street lot as the potential location for a multi-tiered parking garage, but estimated costs came in at more than $4.9 million for the 119 car capacity project – nearly $38,000 per parking space. Planning and Development Director Nancy Merrill said on Wednesday that her department is continuing to meet with downtown business owners to identify less costly solutions in the long term.
The rental agreement opens for renegotiation every five years, but both parties can mutual alter the terms at any time.
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