Council approves revisions to two derelict East Providence parcels

Minor change made to Fram property, new housing proposal in Riverside

By Mike Rego
Posted 4/19/18

EAST PROVIDENCE — A minor omission made over a decade ago putting a glitch in a current proposal to redevelop one of the city’s most strikingly blighted parcels was remedied by the council …

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Council approves revisions to two derelict East Providence parcels

Minor change made to Fram property, new housing proposal in Riverside

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — A minor omission made over a decade ago putting a glitch in a current proposal to redevelop one of the city’s most strikingly blighted parcels was remedied by the council at its meeting Tuesday night, April 17.
At the forum, the body voted to alter the designation of the former Fram property located at 105 Pawtucket Ave. to include a small piece left out of a revision of its use back in 2004 at the creation of the Waterfront Commission. At the time it was believed all of the parcels and subdistricts included in the initial plan had been rezoned.
However, according to Diane Feather, acting Planning director, a small piece of the Fram property wasn’t part of the initiative. She explained railroad tracks split the location and the specific areaat the rear of lot had a separate parcel number.
“The Fram property was included in the Waterfront District because of the condition and with the hope a developer would come forward with a redevelopment type plan,” Ms. Feather said. She added, the Planning Board provided an advisory recommendation to approve the change, which is seen as a corrective action and administrative in nature.
In boosting the change, Ms. Feather noted the location of the former Fram offices was “falling apart…derelict.” She continued, “It really is simply a correction of an omission of one parcel.”
The proposed developers of the property, Euston LLC, have continued to perform due diligence, according to Ms. Feather. The company has met advertisement mandates and have sent certified mailings to property owners within 200 feet of the location.
Last year, the proposed developers, with plans to construct some 100 apartment units, reached an agreement to pay back-taxes on the property owed to the city. More specifically, the proposal as presented a year ago calls for turning the site into mixed-use similar to the conversion done at the Rumford Baking Soda plant where the existing buildings were repurposed and new structures were built to augment the site.
“It behooves the City of East Providence to get this property in entirety back on the tax rolls,” Ms. Feather said prior to the council vote. “This will allow the developer to move forward, make a formal proposal to the Waterfront Commission.”
Bullocks Point Ave. property
On another zoning matter, the council approved changing the designation at 444 Bullocks Point Ave. from commercial to residential.
The proposal was presented to the body by Sarah Smalley, an attorney at the Law Offices of William C. Maaia & Associates representing the interested parties.
The proposal for the 15,691 square foot, L-shaped lot is to build three single family residences. Each lot would be greater than 5,000 sf. The existing structure would be removed. The residences would be similar to one built by the contractor on Vineyard Street. The expected list price for the new homes, including three three-bedrooms and three full baths, is between $275,000-$345,000, the contractor said.
The Planning Board gave conditional approval at its meeting the week prior. The area around the lot is considered mixed use with similar sized residential parcels. As part of the construction agreements new sidewalks would be built at the site.
Ordinances
The council unanimously approved dissolving the Housing Advisory Commission. Also, the council backed the creation of a Senior and Disabled Citizens' Advisory Committee. The changes came at the recommendation of Councilman Brian Faria.
Fuel tank replacement
The council backed the recommendation of Acting City Manager Malcolm Moore and Public Works Director Steve Coutu to accept a bid of $338,964 submitted by Trask Petroleum Equipment for the removal and replacement of underground storage tanks used to supply fuel for the DPW fleet.
Removal of the underground fuel storage tanks is a requirement from the R.I. Department of Environmental Management. Money was allocated in the Fiscal Year 2017-18 budget in the Capital Improvement Account.
Mr. Moore told the council the bid made by Trask was the lowest of four received. The highest was $463,840. Trask was also preapproved by the project’s engineering firm, Tlghe and Bond. The project was originally estimated to cost approximately $417,000.
“It really works out well for the city. We’re going to save $70,000,” Mr. Moore said. “We have a very good firm willing to do this. It is required and the money is set aside.”

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