 |
|
Wamsutta Mills owner makes pitch for Cliftex Mill
By Brian Fraga Standard-Times staff writer
 NEW
BEDFORD — In a move that may save a historic mill, the
developer of the Wamsutta Mills is interested in buying
the Cliftex Mill from owner Edward Fitzsimmons for more
than $1 million.
Quincy developer Steve Riccardi, who is reconfiguring
the Wamsutta Mills into condominiums and apartments,
said he called Mr. Fitzsimmons on Wednesday to discuss
an offer to save the 104-year-old mill.
"I am prepared to make an offer that will be within his
expectations and be at a fair or above-market value,"
Mr. Riccardi said. "I will not be offering a price that
represents a fire sale."
Mr. Fitzsimmons previously told The Standard-Times he
believes his property has a market value between $1.8
million and $2.2 million. He paid $600,000 for the
building in 2003. The property is currently assessed at
$1.4 million by the city.
Mr. Riccardi was unable to meet with Mr. Fitzsimmons on
Wednesday, but said he toured the Cliftex Mill with him
last week. He said the mill could be renovated for
residential or commercial purposes.
"I liked the building, and hopefully we can strike a
deal," Mr. Riccardi said.
Mr. Fitzsimmons picketed outside City Hall for the
second consecutive day Wednesday protesting Mayor Scott
W. Lang's veto of a City Council vote allowing his
request to demolish the mill. He said he could not
comment on Mr. Riccardi's interest in the mill because
his attorney instructed him to have no discussions with
the mayor or developers.
Mr. Fitzsimmons also said he is fighting for his right
to develop his property in any way he chooses. He said
he has an agreement with a demolition contractor to
bring down the mill.
"If I want to take it down to the ground and work with
any developer the city doesn't want to work with, that's
my choice, not the mayor's," he said.
Matthew Morrissey, executive director of the Greater New
Bedford Economic Development Council, said Mr.
Riccardi's desire to rehabilitate the Cliftex Mill,
which at one point housed one of the city's major
employers, was an opportunity to fairly resolve the
dispute between the city and Mr. Fitzsimmons.
"Mr. Riccardi is a bona-fide developer with a long
history of successful mill restoration projects in his
background who clearly sees the economic value of the
redevelopment of that mill on the upper harbor at this
stage of our city's evolution," Mr. Morrissey said.
"We will do everything appropriate and possible to
facilitate a discussion whereby Mr. Fitzsimmons can
profit from his investment, and the mill can be
appropriately redeveloped," he added.
Also on Wednesday, Mr. Fitzsimmons offered to let the
city buy his mill for $207,000, which is how much he
paid the city on June 8 to pay off four years' worth of
back taxes.
Mr. Fitzsimmons said Mayor Lang offered to buy his mill
on the Ken Pittman show on WBSM-AM on Tuesday. He
arrived at City Hall Wednesday with a purchase-and-sale
agreement for the mayor to sign. The offer was for the
building, but not the land. Mr. Fitzsimmons said he and
the city could work out a "fair land lease agreement."
"I look forward to having yourself and the city of New
Bedford as my tenant and neighbor," he wrote.
Liz Treadup, Mayor Lang's spokeswoman, said the mayor
"won't respond to Mr. Fitzsimmons' theatrics."
But she said the mayor would welcome a meeting with Mr.
Fitzsimmons and his attorney "to put him in touch with
developers interested in purchasing and developing his
mill."
Mr. Fitzsimmons said the mayor's previous statements
promising to pursue legal avenues should the City
Council override his veto prompted his lawyer to
prohibit him from meeting with the mayor or any
developers.
City Council President Leo Pimental said Wednesday that
the council will vote on the override during its July 19
meeting. The council can override the mayor's veto if
the eight councilors who previously voted to permit the
demolition reaffirm their vote.
Mayor Lang has said the City Council should have heeded
a recommendation from the New Bedford Historical
Commission that the mill not be demolished because of
its historical value. He said the building has many
potential uses that could provide economic development
opportunities in the way of jobs and additional tax
revenues.
Before Mr. Riccardi publicly stated his interest
Wednesday, the mayor had said there were developers
interested in discussing projects with Mr. Fitzsimmons.
Mr. Riccardi's plans for the Wamsutta Mill, which is
said to have been the world's largest cotton-weaving
plant during the late 19th century, calls for
market-rate condominiums and apartments, as well as a
modest museum display.
Other prominent New Bedford mills that have been
restored include Howland Place and the Taber Mills. The
Cliftex Mill is adjacent to two redeveloped parcels,
Whaler's Cove and Whaler's Place, that provide housing
for elderly residents.
At a public meeting in April, Mr. Fitzsimmons laid out
his plans for the 5.6-acre parcel after the mill's
demolition: expansion of a "transportation terminal"
already in use at the property, expansion of a
contractor's yard, creation of a new contractor's yard
in the foundation of the building, warehousing of
nursery stock and home to some portable self-storage
units.
Mr. Fitzsimmons said his company, Norseman Properties
LLC, will file for bankruptcy if he cannot tear down the
mill.
Staff writer Aaron Nicodemus contributed to this report.
Contact Brian Fraga at
bfraga@s-t.com
Publication date: June 28, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
