Maturo to form 'Blue Ribbon Commission' to Hold Public Hearings and Fully Explore Options for 200 Tyler Street Property

Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. announced today that, in the next two weeks, he will be forming a "Blue Ribbon Commission," comprised of local residents and community stakeholders, to hold regular public hearings to receive input from residents regarding how they feel the 200 Tyler Street property should be redeveloped.

Maturo explained, "While the prior and current administrations have worked to explore restoring, repairing, and redeveloping the property, it is essential that we solicit public input before we forge ahead with any plan.  As a result, in the next two weeks, I will be appointing an ad hoc 'Blue Ribbon Commission' to hold regular public hearings over the next few months to solicit input from residents and explore the costs and feasibility of whatever options are deemed by the residents and the commission to be worth pursuing."

Earlier in the year, the Town had begun exploring a mixed-use redevelopment plan for the property which would call for the renovation of the pool and gymnasium and for the development of another portion of the building as age-restricted housing.  The Town put out a Request for Qualifications/Proposals seeking to determine if there was an interest in developing the property, however no further action has since been taken.

Maturo continued, "When the Town began exploring options to begin the redevelopment of the property, there was some criticism from residents who felt left out of the process.  Although we have continually assured residents that any future development of the property would not proceed without their input, I am going well beyond what the Charter and Town ordinance requires in forming this Blue Ribbon Commission to ensure that residents will be guaranteed a meaningful say in what the Town does with this property moving forward."

Maturo explained, "This issue certainly impacts the entire Town and residents from across the Town are encouraged to participate in the Blue Ribbon Commission's activities.  However, understanding that those who live within the immediate vicinity of the building have a particularly heightened interest in the property's future, we will be compiling a mailing list next week of all residents living within a quarter mile of the building.  They will be placed on a permanent mailing list and will receive regular updates from my office and the Commission regarding the property." 

Maturo noted, "In addition, any residents not living within a quarter mile will be able to sign up for the mailing list to receive updates.  We plan to publish regular updates from the Blue Ribbon Commission on newly-launched town website and to form an electronic e-alert mailing list for residents who wish to receive electronic notices of meetings or news regarding the property."

Maturo noted, "I want to assure residents that, moving forward, the process of developing the 200 Tyler Street property will be collaborative, inclusive, and transparent.  This Blue Ribbon Commission will be the official mechanism for residents to monitor and have a direct say in the dialogue regarding the 200 Tyler Street property.  In addition, the commission will engage in public outreach efforts to further help determine how residents feel the property should be developed in the future."

Maturo continued, "Part of the problem with redeveloping this property since it was closed has always been the lack of concrete financial and feasibility data for any of the proposed uses for the building.  This Commission, in particular, will be tasked with working with state legislators and other grant authorities in determining and confirming the costs and feasibility of the ideas that have been proposed to-date and any ideas that are put forth by the public in the upcoming public hearings.  Residents deserve to not only have a voice in this project, but they also deserve to know all of the facts, including all future costs."

Maturo concluded, "The redevelopment of 200 Tyler Street is an issue of paramount importance to this administration and, most obviously, to the residents.  I know that the formation of this commission will both facilitate a meaningful dialogue with residents about the property and ensure that any future development of the property will be undertaken transparently and in accordance with the will of the people.  I am confident that the formation of this commission will ensure that all residents who wish to take part in the redevelopment of 200 Tyler Street have a meaningful voice in the disposition of the property."