The First Republic Corporation of America planned to build 15 luxury condos with million dollar-plus price tags at the site. However, a few months after the investment company launched the project in the fall of 2008, workers were sent home. Last August, after First Republic's financing fell through, the company put the property up for sale for $3 million.

But local real estate agent Jerry Lischke who spent more than five years ushering First Republic though the local permitting process, said the property was taken off the market several months ago.

"The city has contacted the owner directly to voice their interest," he added.

Some city officials have suggested the decision to pull the property off the market may be a sign that First Republic is now in better shape and planning to try to make a go of the condo project.

However this week, Russell Just, of First Republic, said the city has expressed their interest in the site, and the company is listening.

"We are willing to consider any proposal that comes our way," added Just.

Lischke says that in addition to the years spent with the city's Planning Board, First Republic has invested $2 to $3 million in improvements at the site.

And it's partially those improvements along with the waterfront location and additional space that could be used to build affordable housing that has captured the interest and imagination of several city leaders including Mayor Donna Holaday.

However seniors have said the land which is sloped and the existing buildings which have plenty of stairs but no elevator makes the site inaccessible to many elderly people in Newburyport.

"It's a beautiful piece of property with water views," said Rosann Robillard, director of the city's Council on Aging. But Robillard is concerned that seniors may not only have trouble navigating the site, they might even have trouble getting there.

"Personally, whenever I take people to the Towle building for appointments, or when I go myself, there's always a lot of congestion and traffic," said Robillard. "Cushing Park can be easily accessed."

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More then just a Senior Center..

When the Towle Riverwalk Condominium project halted it also halted the project to build restrooms adjacent to the children's playground at Cashman Park. The pilings and rebar supported foundation that was prepared on the building site have now been removed. This was going to provide restroom and changing facilities for the families of Newburyport. I hope the city officials and Newburyport Seniors will give careful consideration to allowing this new location to be a multi-generational center open to the young and old alike. Young adults need a place to congregate and parents need a place to care for their children. Let's take a moment and think about the needs of the many and not the few.

Buccaneer , January 18, 2010

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