Bradstreet: Hearthstone Gives its Pitch

The town has received several proposals for purchase of the Bradstreet School property, and Monday night one of the interested companies presented their plans for the property.

Heart Stone Realty actually submitted four difference proposals. Selectmen scrapped one of the proposals ahead of time -- option 1 -- at a previous meeting because, although it kept the school building intact, it requested $200,000 in CPA funds.

The three remaining options offer $300,000 for the property and call for demolition of the school. Two call for the construction of mixed-use buildings and residential buildings, while a third calls for all retail space.

Option 2

This plan maintains the streetscape and brings in retail space as well as 22 residential units --9,600 square feet of residential, 16 townhouses and 6 flats -- and an enlarged plaza area. The plan brings retail space along Main Street and 73 total parking spaces.

Many residents have expressed concern about residential units causing crowding of schools. Designer Mark Yanowitz spoke about that in his presentation.

"Studies have shown that these 1- and 2-bedroom, more urban style apartments don't really bring a lot of children," Yanowitz said. "These studies have shown that they do not really impact the school systems."

Option 3

This plan maintains the streetscape and brings in more retail and office space and fewer residential units than the previous option. It calls for an enlarged plaza area and retail space along Main Street, 9,500 square feet of office space on the second floor, 6 townhouses and 6 flats, and 73 total spaces.

"This becomes just a two-story building with offices above," Yanowitz said. We've had conversations with local businesses who were particularly attracted to this plan. This is probably our most balanced use of mix-use features."

The complex would be called Bradstreet on Main.

"We wanted to tip our hat to the school," Yanowitz said. "I know there is a lot of sentiment toward that building."

Option 4

This plan maintains the street scape and calls for all retail and office space, no residential units. The plan would enlarge the plaza area, create retail space along Main Street and 10,000 square feet of office space on the second floor. The plan would include 68 total parking spaces.

"This scheme has us eliminating the rear residential building," Yanowitz said. "If the town wanted to lease more parking spaces for whatever reason, we would be open to creating more parking than we need."

The plan addresses concerns about parking, since there would be no residential units to take up parking spaces.

"Obviously this is a revenue drop for us, but we just wanted to keep it on the table," Hearthstone President Bill Perkins said.

"To be honest, I don't know if the parking situation is real or perceived," Selectman Tracy Watson said. "I come downtown often, and I always find a parking space."

Watson added that the second residential building along Saunders Street in the other two plans could actually improve property values on Saunders Street.

Which option do you like most? Discuss in the comments below.