As the city looks to unload it's property inventory, one City Council committee isn't looking to do so in haste. 

The Committee on City Property had received two bids for its request for proposal (RFPs) to build at the location of the Phillips Avenue School on the corner of Phillips Ave. and Ashley Blvd..

The committee voted to reject both bids Tuesday night since they did not believe either project would benefit the existing residential neighborhood.

"We'd like something to fit well in the neighborhood," said committee chairman Jim Oliveira. “There are a lot of homeowners there and those folks have taken care of their properties over the years.”

One proposal came from Fall River textile company U.S. Bedding, with the intent to "redevelop the former school into a cut and sew division for U.S. Bedding, resulting in light manufacturing work and generating twenty to fifty new jobs," according to the committee's agenda.

Hunt Real Estate Services, Inc. also filed a proposal with the intent to "redevelop the former school into a freestanding Family Dollar retail store."

Mayor Jon Mitchell also expressed his opposition to both proposals in a letter to the committee that was read at the beginning of Tuesday's meeting.

City officials advised the committee there was no need to rush the sale of this particular property since the building is structurally sound and requires minimal maintenance.

“We inquired tonight as to the urgency in terms of right-sizing our city inventory and there’s no urgency,” Oliveira said. “I think what we want to do is do things do things smart and do them right.”

The committee voted to review the latest RFP and make changes as needed to allow greater flexibility to potential developers such as an option for demolition. After the review the RFP will be reissued.

 

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