The guidelines for a Request for Proposal (RFP) to gauge interest in redeveloping the Pierson School have been approved by the Town Council. The RFP will be sent out in January.

Earlier this month, the Town Council held a public hearing to receive feedback on the potential redevelopment of the vacant Pierson School. With the hearing complete, the Town will send out an RFP asking developers to submit ideas on what could happen with the property. Town Manager Karl Kilduff said the RFP results will likely come in 2023. A second public hearing will be scheduled once the Council receives the RFP results, Town Council chairman Chris Aniskovich said.

At a meeting on Nov. 16, the Town Council approved a scope for the RFP. “The Council approved the development goals for the project. The approved goals were meant to provide focus to the RFP on what the Town will be looking for in the re-use of the building as well as anticipated criteria that could be used to evaluate proposals,” said Kilduff.

“ After reviewing a number of potential types of development, the Council preferred that the site be used for senior housing. There was also interest in exploring a public/private partnership that would keep Pierson as part of the civic life of the community. The goal document approved at the last council meeting will form the basis of a number of elements in the request for development proposals. The RFP itself is still in the process of being finalized,” Kilduff continued.

The scope approved by the Council seeks input on “(a)cquisition of the site for the development of rented, senior units for low and moderate-income households.”

The scope also states “(t)he town will only entertain proposals that find an adaptive re-use of the existing structure. Preservation of the façade of the original 1932 building is a priority” and that the “…Town desires to divide property to maintain park containing gazebo and two statues.”

The Council approved a suggestion that the RFP express a desire to keep an easement that has been granted to the Church of the Holy Advent in place. At the public hearing, a representative from the church said the church has had an easement for shared use of the parking lot since 2013 and would like to continue that use.

The RFP will ask that any potential developer have experience and ability to develop the site as desired by the town “with the goals and objectives of the Town while also being sensitive to community standards and design aesthetics.”

Once the RFP is officially sent out, Kilduff said the next steps would be to see what interest the property receives. “Proposals would be received and reviewed. The review process would compare responses to the Town’s preferences as described in the RFP. Additional steps and levels of review could be part of the process depending upon the number or variety of proposals. That could include a public presentation,” said Kilduff.

The RFP process is not the end of the road, however.

“Following the RFP process, additional steps lay ahead. There will be further discussion at future Council meetings, the Planning & Zoning Commission and, if we are totally successful, a special Town Meeting,” Kilduff stated.