Tiverton To Face High Infrastructure Costs To Develop Industrial Park
Representatives from the state Economic Development Foundation warned the town council on Monday that costs to install roadways and utility infrastructure in the Tiverton industrial park could cost $9.2 million.
Initial investments in roadways and utility infrastructure at Tiverton’s 172-acre industrial park could cost $9.2 million, the Tiverton Town Council learned on Monday.
Representatives from the Economic Development Foundation of Rhode Island presented a seven-page preliminary analysis of the 66-lot subdivision prepared by DiPrete Engineering and approved by the council in June that spelled out the initial costs of preparing the industrial park for development.
According to Marcel A. Valois, vice president of the nonprofit economic growth company, under the approved plan, 93 acres would be divided into lots averaging 1.4 acres. The marketing strategy would be to accommodate small businesses and combine lots to accommodate larger ones.
The consequence to dividing the parcel into so many lots is the extensive amounts of roadway and utility infrastructure required. Valois estimated the cost to construct the project as designed would be $9.27 million.
“Under this scenario and with these improvements under option 1, a full build-out probably wouldn’t see a return for 15 years - and that’s taking into consideration tax revenues,” said Valois. “It will probably take near seven years to recover costs so it makes a lot of sense to try to reduce the amount of public investment up.”
Valois recommended augmenting lot sizes and marketing to attract bigger businesses to Tiverton Business Park.
Under an alternative plan with lots ranging in size from 2 to 15 or more acres, EDFRI and DiPrete could to reduce development costs by 60 percent. Developers would be responsible for financing on-site infrastructure costs.
The alternative layout would allow for 102 saleable acres versus 93 with option 1. The town would lay a quarter mile of roadway rather than over a mile and utility infrastructure installation would drop from $3.5 million to $1.3 million. Total development costs could drop as low as $3.5 million.
“The numbers show that this is questionable, not a feasible project at these numbers,” said Valois. “The next thing we are looking at is whether there is a way to reduce those costs.”
Valois urged the council to identify a vision for the industrial park – what type, size, and scope of industry would be attractive to the community. Council members wondered how the development of the industrial park off of Route 24 could also spur development of renewable energy projects in Tiverton.
“The initial question when we talked about wind energy months ago was can we do both,” said Brett N. Pelletier, councilman. “Can we have a viable industrial park alongside wind energy? I think we are moving closer to yes.”
Council President Jay. J. Lambert said the analysis of the development plans were useful to keeping the improvements at Tiverton Business Park on track.
“Just so we are clear, at this point we are just taking very small steps,” he said.
Joe Sousa.
12:39 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
It's time to put this park on the fast track . Building a commercial tax base will help fund town functions . Sharing the load and providing jobs for locals . We bought this park twenty years ago. It's time to move it to it's full potential. I have a plan to get this park ready for sale. Lots that are close to site ready and affordable. This is a great site for retail commercial and light manufacturing. As a Town Councilor , I will make it a priority
Jim L
12:45 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
The plans for this should be the one most favorable to occupation , and the EDC should be giving us money , to help this, they gifted what to Curt, for the EDC to not help in anyway it can as the state slaps us with tolls is just a backand to the face, can't wait to see the folks running for office have to say about this
Thomas Adamns
2:32 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Perfect, just what the town needs an identical strip mall to the one that is problably 5 miles away. Stick it right near Stafford Pond too, Class A pond, perfect addition. If the full potential of that land is another walmart/kohls/target complex, offering low wages and morals, I must be dreaming. The low income housing was a great idea too, wasting local law enforcement time dealing with break-ins and petty crimes that have skyrocketed in the area. Here's an idea, cut spending and stop hiking taxes for these stupid pet projects that benefit no one but developers, landowners, and large corporations.
Jim L
2:40 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Where did you come up with the strip mall idea ? Ihaven't seen that mentioned at all. i believe the wind power idea is still being developed
Dom Mazzetti
2:42 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Seems pretty logical, and I emphasize the word logical. Hope the council doesn't screw this up.
Jim L
2:51 pm on Wednesday, July 11, 2012
i agree Dom and I agree With councilmen Pelletier and am glad to see him involved in this, I believe that someone has to be a watchdog against the EDC short changing the town because they are leary of spending money after the 38 deal.. following the wind concept would tie in nicely with offshore wind devolpement and the sailing industry in Newport
Joe Sousa.
6:42 am on Thursday, July 12, 2012
If we could get the front of the park site ready, we could probably see some buyers right away . My plan does just that. The cost to the town $0 dollars .
Jim L
8:26 am on Thursday, July 12, 2012
it would be great to see some signs there at the very least, and sell it outright, the town doesn't need to be in the landlord or wind power business
ray
9:45 am on Thursday, July 12, 2012
im all for a nuclear waste dump if it lowers my god dam taxes!!!
Joe Sousa.
12:03 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
We need to attract businesses to help hold the line on property taxes . Expanding the tax base has worked in other towns around the country. The key is to expand the tax base while holding the line on expenditures . Clearing the front of the park and leveling it would at least be a start . Having lots ready to build on will bring sales. In my plan the Town pays zero to accomplish this , We can see progress with the right team on the field. IC FAT.
Rug Doctor
12:35 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
The town has no business developing this park. It will be a nightmare with the taxpayers footing the bill like 38 Studios!!!!! We need a profesional to develop and market this park. Look at all of the towns lawsuits for not following rules and laws.
Joe Sousa.
3:50 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
Yea Doc, like the State is going to give us development money. We have millions invested in this park, It's time for the town to get a return
Jim L
2:21 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
just left town hall, was very impressed with the plan for the indy park, i do agree with Rug Doctor, this town should not get into the wind business, or any other for that matter, Joe is right also and , start at the front , also get money from edcu, its a better invesment for tiverton and the state than a millions of dollars video game and having blown their jobs so bad this could get them in good standing again,or we could get 50 million chop downs a few tress then split the money, film the tree cutting and we can get more money in movie credits, wait i love it when a plan comes together!!!But i gotta say the park has seen more movement in the last year than since it was bought by the town, someones doing good work
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Joe Sousa.
4:36 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
Jim, first we sell tree lots to clear the property . Companies who sell fire wood would bid on the lots. The highest price gets to cut all the wood. We should clear the frontage about a quarter way back. Then work with local quarry companies to get the area cut down flat. The companies get the stone to sell for their effort. We get a flat piece of land to sell for development. during the excavation if there is extra dirt we can use it at the land fill for daily cover or grade fill. The public works, and our engineering co. will supervise the operation. We won't need to borrow millions to get this going.. if there is extra dirt we can use it at the land fill for daily cover or grade fill.
Jim L
8:25 am on Friday, July 13, 2012
Excellent idea Joe, there are some places in there that can be leveled fairly easy, just get it done, place a sign up with wood lots for sale by bid process, could even use the lot numbers as layed out be map in town hall, would keep people working and make money for the town
Joe Sousa.
7:17 am on Saturday, July 14, 2012
Jim ,using the resources available is how America became a rich nation .
Using them wisely is why we still have them . I hope to get the park sold, and producing Jobs for residence .We need local jobs so people don't have to drive to Mass. or northern RI. That intersection will become a positive economic advantage for the town . The traffic on 24 will provide the customer base so businesses can make it a successful endeavor . Bringing in more taxes to help off set the residential taxes. We also have to keep a prudent Town council ,and School com. This all starts in Nov. if people want it. IC FAT