EAST PROVIDENCE — Through a press release issued September 15 and in a two-page advertisement to run in the September 17 print edition of The East Providence Post, the developers in essence authored an ultimatum in regard to its plan to purchase and build on the Metacomet Golf Club location off Veterans Memorial Parkway.

Marshall Properties LLC sent the release to media outlets Tuesday as well as the advertisement, alerting residents of its intentions and of a final public meeting it plans to hold on the matter Thursday evening, Sept. 17.

The release and ad read as follows: 

"East Providence has the opportunity to decide the future of Metacomet.

"The Metacomet Country Club as we know it will cease to operate. There are many reasons for the club’s demise and none of them have to do with Marshall Development.

"The only question that remains is what will the future of Metacomet look like.

"Marshall Development has presented a plan (Plan A) that produces a vibrant community center that will be a focal point of East Providence.

"Plan A includes open space and public access, tax generating businesses and residences and will seamlessly integrate with the existing neighborhood. Plan A will also have less development, more green space and will not be fenced in like it is now.

"The alternative is Plan B. Plan B does NOT require a zoning change and by right the property can be developed under its current zoning designation – which allows for private clubs, medical and hospital buildings, educational buildings and camps, live-in art studios and municipal facilities.
Plan B will be fenced and not provide for public access or walking trails.

"Plan B does not have lush vegetative buffers. Plan B is less green with more development.

"The choice should be abundantly clear to everyone.

"There is no Plan C and the status quo is not an option, as the golf course WILL cease to operate this October."

The release included the following information about the September 17 meeting:  For more information, please join us at a community zoom meeting on September 17th at 6:00 pm.
https://zoom.us/join | Webinar ID: 995 0603 6753 | Passcode: 501060
If audio only: 1-646-558-8656 | Webinar ID: 995 0603 6753 | Passcode: 501060.

Earlier this week, the City Council scheduled a special session to address the Metacomet matter for Friday, Sept. 25, at 6 p.m. at the East Providence High School auditorium. The meeting will also include a virtual component.

Marshall is seeking to rezone the parcel to mixed use from its current open space designation and also have it placed under the auspices of the East Providence Waterfront Commission.

The current zoning assignment allows for a broad swathe of buildings and businesses that could be housed on the grounds of the near-century old course. Marshall's preferred option is to include residential and commercial components along with a publicly accessed area along the undevelopable Watchemoket Cove.

The developer and the grass roots group "Keep Metacomet Green" have continued to clash in recent months since Marshall made its plans to build on the 138-acre parcel earlier this year.

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