TOWN OF BURLINGTON UNVEILS INFORMATIONAL WEB SITE 

Details About Burlington Land Swap Project Now at Residents' Fingertips at http://www.burlingtonlandswap.com

Burlington, Massachusetts (March 30, 2001) – An interactive and informational Web site http://www.burlingtonlandswap.com/ is now up and running for Burlington residents and community organizations to learn about a landmark preservation and development plan. The Burlington Land Swap Project, first announced last month, will provide much-needed affordable housing for the Town’s senior population and their families and preserve the historic Grandview Farm site near the center of town.

The Web site was created to provide the community with immediate and updated information on the project.  It will include an area for residents to communicate with project organizers; will be refreshed daily and will be live 24/7 to provide all the necessary project information.  This completely interactive site will provide residents and others an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the project and will offer an option whereby they can provide the development team with valuable input at info@burlingtonlandswap.com.  Once logged on, users will find considerable information including up-to-date news, a schedule of meetings, relevant news articles, press releases announcing project landmarks, site plans, information on economic growth and schools, and a complete overview of the project.  The site also features a feedback form and an e-mail address option that allows users to ask questions or submit comments about the proposed project.

According to Selectman Gary Gianino, the most valuable aspect of the Web site is that it gives Town officials a mechanism to reach out to Burlington residents and extend its core informational program town-wide utilizing a medium that provides valuable feedback on an on-going basis. “Through this Web site, we hope to expand the community’s knowledge and understanding of this project.  Most importantly, we can derive valuable input from the very same folks that this project will benefit,” said Mr. Gianino.

The proposed project involves a multi-parcel land exchange and Planned Development District (PDD) involving the Town of Burlington and two local developers, The Gutierrez Company (http://www.gutierrezco.com) and Ruping Builders, Inc.(http://www.rupingbi.com/) as well as a not-for-profit housing advocacy group known as the South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) (http://www.smoc.org/).  The proposal is expected to be voted on at a Special Town Meeting slated for early May.

Preliminary plans call for the Town to receive the Grandview Farm site from Ruping Builder’s Principal Gary Ruping. Plans for the Town at the Grandview Farm site call for SMOC to construct 48 affordable senior housing units. Additional plans call for renovation and rehabilitation of the Farmhouse, which will entail utilizing a portion of the beam structure from the barn adjacent to the Farmhouse.  The Francis Wyman Association will also replicate this important piece of its history on the Francis Wyman House site on Route 62.  Proceeds from the sale of three single-family house lots will be used to finance the renovations of the Grandview Farmhouse.

Additionally, The Gutierrez Company will turn over approximately 1.0 acre on South Bedford Street to the Town for future use.  According to Town Administrator Bob Mercier, while the Town has no plans presently to develop the land, the benefits of the conveyance will be felt immediately.  “Ultimately the residents of this Town will control the use and/or development of this land and decide how it will be used.  In its present state, it provides a nice buffer for Bedford Street residents from Mall Road traffic,” said Mr. Mercier.  

The Gutierrez Company will also give the Town approximately 6.7 acres near Wall Street and Mountain Road to preserve wetlands and a wildlife habitat.  No development will occur on that part of the site.  An additional 3.3 acres near Glen Avenue will also be conveyed to the Town to serve as a buffer to the proposed 36 units of affordable senior housing and 144 market-rate housing units to be built by Ruping Builders. Approximately 13 acres of the Wall Street and Mountain Road land will be retained by The Gutierrez Company for the development of a 170,000 square foot office building and parking structure.  According to Selectman Al Fay, as a result of this transaction, the present Winn Street Towing facility will be relocated and all future development of the site will be under the Town’s control.  Mr. Fay said the Town will also gain additional tax revenue and open space near the Mountain Road and Wall Street area which will add to and enhance the Little Brook conservation area adjacent to these parcels.

The final parcel, approximately 14.6 acres on Wheeler Road, will be conveyed from the Town of Burlington to The Gutierrez Company.  Current zoning regulations allow for the construction of 159,000 square feet of office space.

Burlington residents and business owners are encouraged to view http://www.burlingtonlandswap.com/ to learn more about this important project and to offer feedback.

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