Marshall Development Withdraws Petition for Zoning Change for Metacomet

Marshall Development Withdraws Petition for Zoning Change for Metacomet

Marshall Development has sent a letter to the East Providence City Council President and the City Clerk notifying them they have formally withdrawn their petition for a zone change and amendment to the East Providence Comprehensive Plan.   

The developers have seen strong opposition to their plans to transform the historic Donald Ross Metacomet golf course into a multi-faceted development that includes retail, residential and more. It was expected that the majority of the City Council would vote against the Marshall plan on Friday night. It is unclear if the Council will take up the matter as it was scheduled and advertised.

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"The Metacomet Golf Club, through no fault of Marshall Development, is closing. Marshall Development will be acquiring and redeveloping the property.  While redevelopment under current zoning is acceptable to Marshall Development, they wanted to work with the community to create a vibrant work-live-play development on a portion of the property, in addition, to creating the largest public open space in the City of the East Providence on the remainder of the property. Marshall Development viewed this as a true win-win for all stakeholders.  The developer would have been granted the ability to construct a more dynamic development, while the community would gain a substantial economic driver and be provided with the right to preserve and use much of the property as public open space for generations," said Marshall in the press statement.

In addition, the company said, "Marshall Development tried tirelessly to facilitate a constructive dialogue with the community on the benefits of redeveloping Metacomet in accordance with this vision - which would keep over 50% of the property green and accessible to the public. Despite great efforts to stimulate a productive discussion, there was very little constructive dialogue. Instead, rumor and misinformation ruled the day."

GoLocal first broke a series of investigative stories about golf great Brad Faxon and fellow investors buying the property and failing to execute the plan to rehabilitate the course. Instead, the Faxon-led group entered into a purchase and sale agreement with Marshall.

"The immediate abutters of the property and surrounding neighborhood want things to stay as they are without considering the rights or positions of private property owners or the adverse impacts of foregoing such a significant economic driver – this is not realistic or attainable. Neither party at this juncture has achieved their desired outcome. Compromise is simply impossible if only one party is willing to keep an open mind," said Marshall.

"At this time it is in the best interest of everyone for Marshall Development to withdraw the petition for rezoning before the Council and focus on its development of the Property under current zoning.  The Marshalls thank the members of the Council, Mayor DaSilva, and city staff for the time they have spent reviewing their proposal, and are truly saddened that a productive dialogue did not occur," the statement concluded.