ERVING — After receiving zero proposals for redevelopment of the former International Paper mill by the May 13 procurement deadline, town officials are looking to gather community input as to how to move forward.

The property at 8 Papermill Road, valued at nearly $1.49 million between the land and buildings, has sat vacant for two decades. After a century that saw eight buildings built from 1902 to 2000, International Paper “suddenly shuttered the mill” before selling it “to a private developer who left the complex vacant and delinquent on property taxes,” according to Assistant Town Planner Mariah Kurtz.

The town took control of the property in 2014 and conducted feasibility studies and evaluations before eventually putting out a formal Request for Interest (RFI) in fall 2021. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was then released in March 2022, concluding earlier this month without success. Now, the town is looking to host a public forum to garner community input by the end of the year.

During the RFI process, there were two nonprofit developers that expressed interest in redeveloping the property: Rural Development Inc. and The Community Builders.

The Rural Development Inc. project would have involved consideration of mixed-income housing, workspace for young professionals, commercial space and industrial space. Some of the existing structures, the organization pitched, would potentially have been maintained for “building as sculpture” aesthetic purposes. Due to capacity reasons, though, the organization was unable to more formally express interest with documentation, including specific plans and figures.

The Community Builders proposed a two-phase plan, in which the first phase would see the largest existing building converted into approximately 60 mixed-income units of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, while other buildings would be demolished. The second phase would involve the construction of a new building to be used for senior housing, commercial use or industrial use. A public “riverwalk” would also be installed.

“A letter was sent by The Community Builders explaining that while they still have interest in the property,” Kurtz explained, “two changes would need to be made for them to submit a proposal in the future: a Planned Unit Development overlay district is adopted to allow for zoning flexibility and an amendment to the zoning definition of ‘multi-family’ housing to allow for more than four units.”

This sort of zoning change had been pursued starting in 2020 following a recommendation from the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG). The former International Paper mill was one of five locations included in the scope of the proposal that emerged from two years of research and discussion. The amendment then failed to pass “by a narrow margin” at March’s Special Town Meeting “after lengthy discussion,” according to Kurtz. The Planning Board, she said, remains in collaboration with an attorney to update the bylaws.

Town officials discussed three potential options for the community to consider in anticipation of a public forum: having the treasurer auction the building to the highest bidder, holding the property short-term or long-term, and issuing another RFP.

Kurtz explained that holding the property would require thinking about what to potentially and selectively demolish, particularly considering safety risks the buildings might pose to residents. Other considerations include insurance renewal concerns, loss of money to taxation and willingness to spend funding outside the insufficient $600,000 granted to aid with demolition.

Issuing another RFP, though, would require foresight into how the market might change over time, Kurtz said. Changes to RFP language, the evaluation rubric, zoning or bylaws would also have to be taken into account.

The Selectboard will continue discussion on June 6 before holding a “more robust discussion” on June 22, Kurtz said. At a Selectboard meeting on May 11, Kurtz said she and Town Administrator Bryan Smith mulled the possibility of boards and commissions conducting a site visit “so that people can really get an idea about the state of the complex.” There is no date set for a public forum.

“The Selectboard hopes to hear the voices of interested stakeholders as we move forward with this project,” she said.

Kurtz encourages those with further questions or comments to email her at mariah.kurtz@erving-ma.gov or attend upcoming Selectboard meetings.

Reach Julian Mendoza
at 413-772-0261, ext. 261 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

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