Schmidt foundation wants new bus hub done "right"
Officials, citizens gather at meeting about proposed NRTA hub
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER
Asizable group of people gathered in the cold Monday afternoon for a brief review of where things stand with a proposed transportation hub at 10-12 Washington St. The property was purchased for $3.5 million two weeks ago by Greenhound LLC, an entity created by the Schmidt Family Foundation which has a mission of environmental philanthropy.

Foundation president and summer resident Wendy Schmidt named Windwalker Real Estate co-owner and Scout Real Estate Capital owner Alan Worden as project manager. He was the primary speaker at Monday's gathering. Worden said Schmidt, who is married to Google CEO Eric Schmidt, was on island for meetings about the property all day Monday but was called away prior to the onsite session. In addition to fielding questions from participants, Worden also introduced Jharry Breed who will be assisting Worden with management of the project.

Before the recent purchase, the town had proposed buying the parcel for the same purpose but voters rejected an override request in September. Worden explained that the foundation took the opportunity to own the site and hold it while working with the town to see if it is a suitable location for the shuttle buses. Creation of the hub would allow removal of buses parking on Washington and Salem streets, eliminate the need for buses to drive on Main Street to get to their parking spots and provide more citizen parking in town.

"We are patient, we are deliberate and what we are trying to do is assemble a team and look at it," Worden told the crowd. He added that there is no set time frame in which to reach a final decision after meetings with the selectmen, NRTA Administrator Paula Leary and town planners, as well as gaining public input and reviewing completed studies on the property. More studies will be conducted if necessary, he said. Worden noted that the foundation spent thousands of dollars during its due diligence period to update environmental studies on the site that were done years ago. He said the updates indicate there is no environmental concern over the proposed usage of the property, which once held a service garage and gas station.

Worden also said it is hoped to be able to use the location next summer to test buses pulling in and out, but that there are no imminent plans for the fate of the existing structures or rush to obtain any permitting.

"The goal is to get it right," he said. "This is a public/private partnership. Assembling information is the best first step; then we will know what we have and what we don't have and report back. Disseminating information is critical. This can create a win/win for the town. This could be a model for more big ideas if we do it right. If we don't do it right it would

be a huge missed opportunity." I