By Amber Angove—For the North Star Reporter
After multiple attempts to find a new use for the former Allen Avenue Elementary School, North Attleborough officials are hoping expanded development options will help attract a buyer for the vacant property.
The town is once again seeking proposals for the 16.6-acre site at 290 Allen Ave., formerly home to Allen Avenue Elementary School. This time, though, prospective developers have considerably more flexibility in what they can build.
Town Planner Gil Hilario said the town’s preferred vision is an adult retirement community for residents 55 and older, though officials are open to other proposals that could provide a long-term benefit to North Attleborough.
“The town’s goal is ultimately to return the property to productive use, while serving a community need,” Hilario said. “There is a strong demand for additional senior housing in North Attleborough, and this property presents an opportunity to expand those housing options.”
Previous efforts to redevelop the property have faced several obstacles, according to Hilario, including its underlying residential zoning, acreage and the condition of the former school building. The vacant building contains asbestos, adding to the potential cost of either demolition or redevelopment.
Hilario also noted that what distinguishes the latest effort is a significant expansion of the types of development the town is willing to consider. The property is now included in North Attleborough’s Multi-Use Overlay District, or MXO, which allows a broader range of residential development through a special permit from the Planning Board.
Hilario said market-rate housing could be proposed under the new zoning, while the town would also consider Chapter 40B proposals, if additional density is needed to make a project feasible.
“The biggest change is the broader range of development opportunities now available through the Multi-Use Overlay District and friendly 40B proposals,” Hilario said. “Rather than limiting prospective developers to a narrow set of uses, this RFP encourages experienced development teams to bring forward creative and feasible concepts.”
While senior housing remains the town’s preferred use, Hilario said proposals will be evaluated on several factors, including the project’s public benefit, the quality and feasibility of the development plan, the experience of the development team, its readiness to move forward and the proposed purchase price.
“We are open to other proposals that meet the zoning requirements and demonstrate a strong long-term benefit to North Attleborough,” Hilario said.
The town is accepting proposals online through OpenGov. With more development options now available for the property, town officials hope the latest bidding process will generate a viable plan that can return the long-vacant Allen Avenue site to use.