Application withdrawn from 444 Bunker Project

SENA was advised by Commissioner Moss that the Applicant for the 444 Bunker project has withdrawn their application. While it is possible that they may re-apply, that does not appear to be probable.

If you haven't kept up with the developments, here is a bit of the back-story.

We were contacted in mid-September by the WPB Planning Department and informed that 444 Bunker, between Webster and Dixie, was for sale with a contract to buy on it. The buyer intended to rehab the building and turn it into a 90-bed substance abuse rehabilitation facility.

The buyer would apply for a class B special use permit. This would have to be publicly vetted so the neighborhood would be able to offer input. The buyer sent the required notice to the few addresses in the 400 foot radius.

The Planning Department requested input from the neighbors and SENA approached many of the neighboring businesses and homes in the area who had not previously heard about the plans for this property. In the two SENA meetings that followed, representatives from both the Planning Board and the proposed buyer of the 444 Bunker property came before the community to present updates as well as get the community's response and answer any questions.

While the buyer revised the project to hold only 45-beds, the community remained firmly opposed to the development. At Mayor Jeri Muoio's "Visioning Session" at the South Olive Community Center she said the city was doing all that they could within the legal framework to discourage the development of an abuse rehabilitation facility in our neighborhood.

On the 16th of November, two months after we were informed of the project, the buyers withdrew their application.