The Andover Select Board was expected to approve an agreement Monday that would move a long-delayed redevelopment of the Old Town Yard.
The agreement between the Town and Andover Town Yard LLC, formerly known as Minco Development Corp., for Andover to sell the Town Yard property for $4.6 million lays out deadlines for milestones Andover Town Yard must meet to keep the agreement in effect (agreement begins on page 54).. Andover Town Yard has acquired several, privately-owned properties adjacent to the Old Town Yard.
The agreement, which is scheduled for a second reading Monday, is nearly 16 months overdue.
Annual Town Meeting approved the project to create a mixed-use, transit-oriented development on the three-acre site.in 2020. The select board chose Minco as developer in December 2021, and the town was to enter negotiations to sell the land at Lewis Street to Minco. Town Meeting’s approval called for the signing of a land disposition agreement within 60 days of the select board’s approval.
In February, Town Manager Andrew Flanagan said the delay was “not for a lack of effort.” At the time, Flanagan said he hoped an update in March and “sometimes delays are in the best interest” of the Town.
In addition to adding a Town-owned property to the tax roles, the housing portion could help Andover meet new state regulations allowing for the construction of up to 2,301 new housing units in Andover.
‘Town Yard Redevelopment’ – Envisioning and creating a livable, active, and accommodating space for ‘new’ Andover residents is welcomed by many. Attending the meeting, I was uninspired by the Developer’s proposal for a ‘gym’ and ‘we-works’ type space as a transition from the residences to the street and rail. Part of my professional and educational career has been in urban development and sustainability. I understand that development requires some conceptualization of use of space and place. Nonetheless, why would a ‘gym’ and ‘we-works’ space be appropriate for this new development? The Developer even stated that he doubted that those services would make any $$$$$ and would be more of a public service. I don’t fully understand why more of a market-approach could be better in identifying commercial or non-profit use.