The town is accepting what it calls “a creative approach for proposals” to purchase tax-acquired property worth an estimated $6.5 million.

So far, no takers.

In late August, the Board of Selectmen voted to take a 38-acre parcel including the former Mason Station and a portion of the proposed Point East Development — approximately 14-plus acres which include numerous smaller lots — from the tax rolls.

Town officials have reached out to the development community in search of a prospective development team.

To no avail.

“Proposals were due last summer,” Town Planner Misty Parker said Monday. “But we’ve got none. The town is open to a reasonable proposal.”

The 33-acre Mason Station, a former steam-electric generating plant was acquired by developer Mason Station LLC from Florida Power & Light for $3.9 million in 2004. The failed Point East plan, Parker said, involved a marina, a mixed-use facility, condominiums and high-end private homes off Birch Point Drive.

“They went through the permitting process and built a road,” Parker said. “They had approval for 12 private homes, built two spec houses, then they lost their partner for the marina and shortly after the market crashed.”

Prior to selectmen’s decision to take the property off the town’s books, the board was advised that the Mason Station lots represent a significant portion of the town’s $760,000 in uncollected receivables.

Town Manager Laurie Smith advised the board that Mason Station’s uncollected tax bill would amount to more than $900,000.

Parker said some areas of the land that were part of an asbestos dump from the old power plant are not part of the property for sale. There was a remediation plan to cap the asbestos that included the cutting of some old pine trees that were part of a previous site plan approval, and that resulted in a lawsuit, Parker said.

The state Department of Environmental Protection has been working with the developer to monitor the site and will come up with an alternate remediation plan, she said.

Another challenge: Some of the subdivision lots are tiny and include undeveloped roads, Parker said. Town officials have looked into reversing the subdivision, she said, but the process would either involve a lengthy legal process or participation from the developer.

The property has water frontage 30 feet deep, rail access, and is adjacent to an electrical switchyard.

A variety of uses could exist within the current zoning, Parker said.

“Commercial and industrial uses as well as residential and maritime-related uses are all allowed within current regulations, and the town is willing to work with the right developer to create a vision for the property,” she said.

She added: “In economic times such as these, towns cannot afford to wait for the right opportunity, Wiscasset is extending a hand and creating opportunities with the assets we have available, and with solid partners.”

To view the full RFP visit www.wiscasset.org or contact Parker at 882-8200, ext. 106 or at [email protected].

lgrard@timesrecord.com

The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu