By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
A proposal to bring temporary housing for World Cup visitors to Plainville has been withdrawn, with the developer citing concerns about meeting quality standards within a tight timeline.
“We were very excited about the opportunity,” said Jared Hatch, CEO of Hatch Materials, who proposed the housing plan. “But after a clear evaluation and working with the town, it was determined that with the timeline we had in place and the level of quality and execution we hold ourselves to — and that the community deserves — we were concerned about being able to deliver that.”
The proposal, first introduced in early March, called for a temporary “village” of recreational-style trailers at the Hatch Materials property, 80 Washington St., along Route 1, to accommodate visitors attending World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. Initial plans called for 191 units, along with shuttle service, security and shared facilities, operating for a limited period during the World Cup.
“To ensure our standards and the integrity of the project, we decided to pull it,” Hatch added, noting the decision was made “a couple of weeks ago.”
Ahead of a public hearing scheduled for April 16, the proposal had been reduced to 178 units, according to a Planning Board notice. The meeting was canceled following the withdrawal. Town officials had emphasized the project was still in its early stages and would have required multiple layers of review, including input from planning, zoning, health and conservation boards.
Attorney Michael Levinson, representing Hatch, said the project was originally designed to meet increased regional demand tied to the World Cup.
“If you drive up Route 1, you’ll see there really aren’t many hotels,” Levinson said at a March 10 joint meeting. “We’re proposing a controlled, organized site that can accommodate fans safely and efficiently, and it creates revenue for the town.”
Early concerns
During the March 10 meeting, officials questioned the scale and timing of the project. Planning Board Chair Thomas McHugh said peak occupancy could bring more than 1,700 people to the site, while Planning Board member Stanley Widak raised concerns about infrastructure capacity.
“This is going to put 84,000 gallons in our sewer system,” Widak said. “We’re on a sewer moratorium, so I don’t know where that will come from.”
Town Administrator Brian Noble had previously said the town was exploring potential solutions, including coordination with North Attleborough’s sewer system.
Traffic along Route 1, public safety staffing, environmental impacts and compatibility with existing zoning bylaws also emerged as key issues.
Hatch said his team will continue improvements to the Hatch Materials property and a separate site nearby. He also said the company plans to pave the senior center parking lot at no cost to the town as a gesture following months of collaboration with local officials.
He added the World Cup housing concept is “completely off the table” and will not be pursued in Plainville or elsewhere.