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Historic Meeting Focuses On Base 'Smart Growth'

(Issued November 2002) – It was an historic meeting recently when representatives of the three host communities comprising the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station and key stakeholders met for the first time to discuss 'smart growth' initiatives related to base development.

Convened by Congressman Bill Delahunt's District Representative Corinne Young, participants included Board members of the South Shore Tri-Town Development Corporation; representatives of prospective Master Developer Lennar Partners of Irvine, California; Weymouth Mayor David Madden and key department heads; and representatives of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC); the Environmental Protection Agency; and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

Corinne Young said, "We have a tremendous opportunity as we begin a dialogue involving developers, regulators, and the community. We have the potential to do it smarter. It can truly be a national model." The base consists of 1,450 acres , mostly post-industrial land.

The EPA's Rosemary Monahan said her agency welcomes the opportunity to be involved early in the development planning process and would help convene a group to work with stakeholders to develop a scope of work." Elizabeth Higgins, Director of the EPA's Region I Office of Environmental Review wrote, "We believe the South Weymouth Naval Air Station offers one of the greatest redevelopment opportunities in the Boston metropolitan area, and that it could be a model for environmentally and economically sound development for the state and region."

The Corporation's retiring Executive Director Kenneth Goff, who has led the project for almost three years, told the group, "Our dream is to make the base a community within the towns, where people of all ages can live, work, shop and play."

In October, after a national search, the Corporation elected to form a public / private partnership with Lennar Partners because of their experience with military bases, their track record with the Navy, excellent relationships with local officials in other communities in which they have worked, and their commitment to 'smart growth.' Final negotiations are underway between Lennar and the Corporation.

The EPA's Tim Timmermann noted that everyone could "avoid missed opportunities by planning the big picture before starting Stage I."
The Master Plan calls for about 900 acres of open space for active and passive recreation for all ages.

Letter Of Intent Signed With Base Developer Candidate

(Issued October 8, 2002) – The deposit this week of a half million dollars in "good faith funds" to the local redevelopment authority's account marks the beginning of a much heralded public / private partnership that will guide development of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station over the next decade.

It is projected that the ten-year, staged development of the 1,450-acre base, which has been closed since 1997, will bring 5,000 construction jobs, 7,500 permanent jobs, and nearly one billion dollars in investment to the area.

Lennar Partners of Irvine, California, a unit of Lennar Property Corporation, has signed a Letter of Intent with the South Shore Tri-Town Development Corporation, the state agency responsible for developing the base, to enter into negotiations "for the purpose of entering into an agreement for Master Developer services."

On October 4th, as part of the agreement that officially kicks off the negotiating process, a non-refundable payment of $500,000 in "good faith funds" was deposited by Lennar into the Corporation's account to be used by the agency for predevelopment operations.

South Shore Tri-Town Board of Directors Chairman John W. Rogers of Rockland said, "While the Letter of Intent only starts the negotiation process, the Board is committed to moving the process forward, and to providing opportunities for members of the Lennar team to meet with our Board, staff and consultants, community leaders, and members of the community at large."

Executive Director Kenneth Goff said that both the Corporation and Lennar are committed to having an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) in place as soon as possible. He said, "We expect to move forward quickly with a mutually agreed work plan and schedule related to master planning, permitting, and contract scope with MassHighway and the Federal Highway Administration." The next step in the process is normally a Development and Disposition Agreement.

John Rogers pointed to several key reasons that Lennar's team edged out a dozen other contenders who vied for the contract. Among these were a proven track record with military base redevelopment; a working relationship with the Navy; expertise related to smart growth, environmental justice, and multi-modal transportation; and high marks from local community leaders in other parts of the country where Lennar has been involved.

Base Developer Selects Lennar Partners For Master Developer Role

(Issued September 2002) – It's official. A unique public / private partnership over the next decade will be the catalyst that moves forward the nearly one billion dollar redevelopment of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station.

South Shore Tri-Town Development Corporation Executive Director Kenneth A. Goff said, "After two years, pieces of a very complex redevelopment puzzle are falling into place. The choice of a master developer partner, the recent approval of $35 million for regional highway improvements, and issuance of a Finding of Suitability for Transfer of the first 487 acres from the Navy means the metamorphosis of the base is underway." The Corporation is the state agency responsible for developing the base.

Following a months-long national search and selection process involving about a dozen contenders, the Corporation's Board of Directors unanimously voted (September 19) to enter into negotiations with Lennar Partners of Irvine, California, one of the country's largest commercial real estate developers, "for the purpose of entering into an agreement for master developer services." Lennar, listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LNR, has agreed to pay $500,000 in "good faith funds."

John W. Rogers of Rockland, newly-elected Chairman of the Corporation Board, said, "Lennar's experience working with the Navy and with local communities reduces the learning curve and ensures success. We are pleased with their commitment to 'smart growth' principles, and to a long-term relationship as part of the local community."

Goff said the choice of Lennar was based on their extensive experience in redeveloping military bases, their understanding of the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC) process, and a close working relationship with the Navy. Lennar has served as Master Developer for surplus military facilities in California, including Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco, and West March Air Force Base.

On the choice of his company, Lennar Partners' Vice President of Land Development Greg Morrell, who made his team's presentation to the Corporation Board, said, "It is obvious to us that the South Shore Ti-Town Development Corporation has laid a solid foundation on which to build. We are delighted to be selected as we begin a long-term partnership that will turn the communities' vision into reality." Morrell added, "While we may not have all the answers, we do have experience in the process. We have ideas to share ad we know how to listen. Most importantly, if we succeed, the communities succeed. It's a win-win."

Also on September 19, another important building block in the overall development was put in place with the approval of $35 million in regional highway improvement funds, including about $28 million in federal money. The Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) included the money in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for FY 2003-2008. These funds are for permitting, design and construction of on and off-site road improvements, including intersection improvements and the widening of Route 18 from Route 3 to Abington. Five intersection improvements are in the design and permitting stages.

Redevelopment of the base will occur in a staged, ten-year plan that will entail over $800 million in on and off-site infrastructure construction, including regional highway improvements. The project will create some 5,000 construction jobs. When complete, the mixed-use development will offer office, retail and light manufacturing jobs for 7,500 people, senior housing, a golf course, active and passive recreation areas, and over 900 acres of open space. Planners envision a village-style development with a town center.

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