Granby's Old Kearns School Site Poised for Major Housing Transformation

Imagine driving past the old F.M. Kearns Primary School on Canton Road in Granby, a familiar landmark that’s sat quietly since its closure, and envisioning something entirely new taking shape. Well, that’s exactly what’s on the table right now. Town officials are carefully considering a rather ambitious plan to breathe new life into the property, potentially transforming it into a vibrant, multi-generational housing community.

The proposal comes from 7 Summits Construction, a Hartford-based firm known for tackling substantial projects. They’ve put forward a terms sheet to Granby's Board of Selectmen, outlining a vision for a 120-unit housing development right there at 5 Canton Road. It's an exciting prospect, especially for a community always looking to meet diverse housing needs, and this plan touches on several key areas: senior living, workforce housing, and market-rate options.

This isn't an overnight transformation, mind you, but rather a thoughtful, multi-phase approach designed to unfold over time. The initial phase, Phase 1, would focus on creating 40 dedicated senior housing units. Following that, Phase 2 would introduce another 40 units, earmarked for either workforce or market-rate housing, offering a different living dynamic. And finally, Phase 3 would complete the picture with an additional 40 senior units. The entire project, if approved, is envisioned to be completed within six years, with the first two phases potentially opening their doors within three years of securing approvals and commencing construction. The third phase, as one might expect, would follow once the first senior building is comfortably occupied and financially stable.

Now, let's talk about the land itself. The property in question spans a significant 33.8 acres. Under the current proposal, Granby would retain ownership of the rear portion, allowing the town to potentially utilize it for other community needs down the line. It's a pragmatic approach that seems to offer benefits to all involved.

Financially speaking, the proposed terms offer a couple of interesting pathways. 7 Summits Construction could either purchase the property outright for a cool $500,000 once their construction financing is firmly in place, or, they have the option of entering into a 50-year ground lease for a symbolic one-time payment of just $1. This lease would, of course, include options for extension or eventual purchase. Beyond that initial payment structure, Granby stands to benefit significantly from a proposed 30-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement. This means the town would receive 10 percent of the development's gross revenue annually, with these payments kicking off three years after the first residents move in. It's a steady revenue stream that could certainly bolster town services.

As for responsibilities, 7 Summits is prepared to shoulder quite a bit. They would be in charge of securing all the necessary financing, obtaining permits, handling any environmental cleanup the site might require, undertaking crucial infrastructure work, and covering all the sewer connection fees. It’s a substantial commitment from the developer, clearly demonstrating their serious intent.

However, before any shovels hit the ground, there's quite a bit of democratic process to navigate. This proposal will need to go through rigorous reviews by several key town bodies, including the Board of Finance, the Board of Selectmen, and the Planning and Zoning Commission. And yes, ultimately, the town's residents will have their say at a special town meeting. It’s a thorough process designed to ensure community input and careful consideration.

It's worth noting, of course, that this is still very much a proposal – a terms sheet, if you will, not a final, binding contract. Details like the precise amount of land that will ultimately be dedicated to the development, the total project cost, or any potential public subsidies haven't been fully ironed out and released. Deadlines, too, could see extensions as discussions evolve. As Granby Town Manager Mike Walsh wisely put it, the developer will need to return with a rock-solid financing package before the town can negotiate a final, comprehensive agreement. So, while the vision for the former Kearns School is certainly taking shape, there are still a few more chapters to be written in this story.