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Ribbon cut on new mill complex
 By
Aaron Nicodemus, Standard-Times staff writer
Date of Publication: November 01, 2006 on Page A05
NEW BEDFORD — A $34 million renovation of one of the
city's largest and most historically significant mills
was launched yesterday before an assemblage of business
leaders and politicians. Construction is scheduled to
last 18 months.
The Residences at Wamsutta Place will consist of 250
one- and two-bedroom condominiums and apartments in the
two four-story mill buildings that tower over Route 18.
The new complex will include lap pools, gyms, a coffee
shop and a museum dedicated "to the history of the
thousands of workers who spent their lives working in
this mill," according to a press release.
Developer Stephen Ricciardi of Quincy stood before the
crowd yesterday and described the process of putting the
development together "like putting together a giant
jigsaw puzzle." The funding pieces have all fallen into
place, he said, and serious construction should begin in
the next two weeks. Several work crews were already in
the north building, painting ceilings, demolishing
interior walls and removing old equipment.
State Sen. Mark C.W. Montigny, who had a role in
securing $2.5 million in state historic tax credits for
the project, called the effort "a perfect example of
government and private industry working together."
Mayor Scott W. Lang, who was unable to attend the press
conference due to a family emergency, said in a
statement that the redevelopment of the mill signals a
rebirth of the Hicks-Logan section of the city, a
collection of mills and industrial properties bounded by
the Acushnet River, Route 18, Interstate 195 and the
North Terminal waterfront. The building is steps away
from what may one day be the city's commuter rail train
station.
"Wamsutta Place is much more than new living space in
New Bedford," Mayor Lang wrote. "There is no doubt that
the redevelopment of this mill will foster further
development and growth in our area and will send a
positive ripple throughout our local economy."
The project is funded by Sovereign Bank, Wainwright Bank
and Capital Access.
The two buildings, built in 1868 and 1898, were home to
the Wamsutta Mills, one of the most famous textile mills
in the country. From the 1840s through the 1950s,
Wamsutta was one of the most well-recognized brands for
fine sheets and linens, as well as numerous other
textile products. The mills were last occupied by
Shepard-Justin Clothing Co., which manufactured men's
suits and uniforms until the company went bankrupt in
2002.
The units will feature a number of amenities including
high-speed Internet, elevators, a master satellite
television hook-up, stainless steel appliances and
granite counter tops.
The proposed 8,000-square-foot museum will feature
everything from old equipment to the garments actually
created on the premises.
Mr. Ricciardi also announced that while the 1875 clock
on top of the south building tower will be upgraded with
an illuminated "state-of-the-art" time piece that will
continually be checked for accuracy by a Global
Positioning System satellite. The original clock will be
preserved and become part of the new museum, he said.
Among those who attended yesterday's ribbon cutting were
state Rep. Robert Koczera, state Rep. Stephen R. Canessa,
City Council President David Alves and Ward 3 Councilor
Joe F. DeMedeiros, as well as representatives of the
city's planning and community development offices. Also
at the ceremony were representatives from Sovereign
Bank, Wainwright Bank, Wamsutta LLC and Capital Access.
Contact Aaron Nicodemus at anicodemus@s-t.com |
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