American Tourister alternatives sought

Organizers of a symposium on mill redevelopment planned for early April hope the event will give Warren food for thought as Meredith Management officials move ahead with plans to transform the giant "American Tourister" mill along the Warren River into condominiums and commercial spaces.

The event, "Mills That Work: How Will Warren Benefit?" will be held Saturday, April 5, at the India restaurant on Main Street, and will bring together architects and planners who have been involved with successful mill development projects in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. It is co-sponsored by Develop Warren Wisely, the Massasoit Historical Society, the Warren Land Conservation Trust and the Warren Preservation Society. Organizers say it will be the first in a series of public forums that will delve into the complex issues and schools of thought that surround mill redevelopment.

Sandy Scott, the chairman of the Develop Warren Wisely board, said he and others have been contemplating such a symposium for some time. Now seems like a good time to do it, he said, as there is no movement on the American Tourister plan while its developers, Meredith Management, and the Town of Warren settle their differences in court.

The court case provides "basically a dead time," he said. "It gives us a chance to sit back and reflect."

There is much on which to reflect, he said, and invited guests will speak of their experiences with mill projects elsewhere. Michael Abbott, a principal in the Newport Collaborative architectural firm, will be on hand, as will Martha Werenfels, an architect with Durkee, Brown, Viveiros and Werenfels. Rounding out the speakers will be Anne Louro, a planner for the City of New Bedford who has been intimately involved in efforts to revitalize that city's industrial waterfront. Each will speak on his or her experiences, and there will also be time for questions and answers.

Mr. Scott said he's contacted Meredith Management President John Rosenthal, mill owner Michael Friedman, as well as Warren's town administration and town council, planning and zoning boards, and invited all to attend. He also hopes regular Warren folks will also come out.

"We hope that this dialogue will generate questions, uncover hidden issues, create ideas and constructive alternatives," he said. "We hope that these discussions will create an environment in which the public and the developer can work together in a spirit of compromise to produce a ... plan that can be successfully integrated. Once this project is built, it's forever."

In planning the event, organizers say they're going to keep the discussion focused not on Meredith Management's project, but on ways other towns and developers have handled similar projects. That's important, said Mr. Scott, because Warren's town solicitor has instructed town officials not to participate in meetings and events at which the Tourister project is discussed.

"As long as we can keep that elephant out of the room, so to speak," it will be constructive, said Develop Warren Wisely board member Brandt Heckert.

Throughout the project's long, often contentious history in Warren, Mr. Heckert and Mr. Scott said one thing that's been lacking among all the stakeholders — abutters, town officials, citizenry and developers — is communication. Hopefully, he said, the symposium will bring positivity back to a process that's been contentious and fraught with poor communication.

"If this promotes discussion, that's a good thing," he said.

Absolutely, added board member Tom Padwa.

"This will impact every aspect of life in Warren," he said. "The average Warren resident hasn't heard about what all those impacts will be."

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Mill symposium coming in two weeks

What: "Mills that Work: How Will Warren Benefit?"

When: Saturday, April 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: India restaurant, second floor

Who: Architects and planners will speak on their experiences with mill redevelopment outside of Warren. Town officials, Meredith Management developers and property owner are invited; the public is also encouraged to attend the free event.

Breakdown: Registration begins at 9 a.m. with coffee and pastry; presentations run from 9:30 to 11: 30 a.m.; a panel discussion runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Questions and answers are welcome.

By Ted Hayes

thayes@eastbaynewspapers.com

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