Marie Sobalvarro’s statement, “…that residential use for the 19.4 acres at Vicksburg could be a benefit to the region–but this is not the right project,” makes me wonder what she believes would be the right project and whether any project would be right.
If Vicksburg Square is to be preserved, it will be as residential use, utilizing historic preservation and affordable housing tax credits to make it financially feasible. Market realities preclude any other use of these historic buildings. So why not this project now, led by a highly credible developer, Trinity, who has done this type of work before with acclaimed results? I suspect the real reason is that Sobalvarro would prefer not to see the Devens population increase, and that she would prefer to see Devens developed solely for its commercial and industrial tax base.
If Sobalvarro has her way, Vicksburg Square will remain undeveloped. What a shame if we waste this opportunity to bring Vicksburg Square back to life. And if this project is not approved, Vicksburg Square will be as empty 20 years from now as it is today. There are no other financially feasible options and who else in their right mind will try after two failed attempts?
I hope the community of Harvard will stop looking at Devens with dollar signs in their eyes, and to think of Devens as a community with community needs, whether ultimately part of Harvard or not. A community does not let its center decay; it fights to preserve it. Please support Trinity’s Vicksburg Square project.
James Geller
Walnut Street, Devens
Editor’s note: The letter writer is referring to a statement Harvard Selectmen Chair Marie Sobalvarro had read at a recent public hearing on the Vicksburg Square proposal held by the Ayer Board of Selectmen.
