By ARCHIE MOUNTAIN
NEWPORT — There has been a change of plans relative to the future use of the Newport Mill Project on Sunapee Street.
It will no longer be home to 47 “market rate” apartments, originally in the planning stages in early 2017.
Instead, a new developer is looking to renovate the building into 68 “work force “ housing units at an estimated cost of $20 million.
During a 30-minute presentation to the Newport Board of Selectmen Monday night, Kevin Lacasse of New England family Housing shared his plans with four of the board members in attendance.
Lacasse said he was looking for support from the selectmen before applying for a $500,000 Community Development Block grant through Sullivan County.
He went away empty-handed.
In stead, the four board members said they wanted more time to consider his proposal. Lacasse urged the four to check out some of the past developments in New Hampshire that his firm has been a participant.
Selectman Todd Fratzel wasted no time in expressing his disapproval of the Lacasse project for Newport.
“This community is struggling without other properties. No doubt it would put more stress on our schools. We need to do what’s good for our community,” Fratzel said.
He said that residents of work force property have to provide their own income to stay there and not be welfare recipients. “If you have the inventory we have to look at the ramifications on Newport,” Fratzel continued.
“I don’t see any benefit to this community,” he concluded.
Selectman John Hooper II said he would like to hear from other communities on how it works.
In the end, Lacasse urged the board members to do just that before they make their final decision in three weeks. He is looking to apply for the CDBG for the next round in January.
Lacasse said his firm is involved with a project at the Goddard Block in Claremont. “That’s an upgrade,” said Board Chairman Jeff Kessler.
Lacasse said if the Sunapee Street building (formerly Gordon Woolen Mill and Sportwelt Shoe before the Ruger affiliation), will have problems if it sits and goes cold. “Pipes will burst. I can guarantee you in one year there will be problems.”
Looking at a timeline, Lacasse said the sooner selectmen make a decision the better.
“This project cannot be done through market rate housing,” Fratzel suggested.
“The original plan is one thing; documentation is another. The facts need to be supported. You cannot make a decision tonight,” said Bert Spaulding Sr., a spectator.
Before thanking the board and leaving the meeting, Lacasse had one additional comment. “Check other work force housing. The biggest thing to put your mind at eased is to talk to other communities,” he stated.
More than two years ago Ron DeCola, the agent for the building’s owner, 169 Sunapee Street LLC, reviewed plans before the Newport Planning Board for the 70,000 square foot building.
At the time, DeCola said historic tax credits would be used for the project and that did not materialize. The company he represents purchased the mill property for $1.1 million.
Lacasse provided a breakdown of costs involved for the proposed 68 units. The average medium income for seven of the units would be $15,430 to $24,480 ($450 for one bed, $540 for two bed rents); 10 units, $25,710 to $40,800 ($750 for one bed, $900 for two bed rents); 34 units, $30,860 to $48,960, ($900 for one bed, $1,080 for two bed rents) and 17 units, $36,860 with no maximum, ($1,075 for one bed, $1,275 for two bed rents). Rents include all utilities.
The projected estimate for Newport Mills would be 68 units with 111 total individuals in property; 1.635 average persons per unit and 28 persons under the age of 18.
The size of each unit would range from 750 square feet for the smallest to 1,752 for the largest. The units will have hardwood floors, high ceilings and large windows.
Work force housing is for people that have jobs, but don’t make enough money to afford a market rate apartment, plus food, transportation and other living expenses, but make too much to qualify for public assistance. Work force housing provides quality homes for those people caught in the middle, Lacasse told the selectmen.
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