BOURNE – The potential development of a sizable and untouched stretch of land in Bourne will be determined by the fate of the Bourne Bridge.
The 140-acre property, which has been left undeveloped for over 20 years, sits just beyond the Bourne rotary.
Attorney Michael E. Scott, of Hyannis, is representing Stop & Shop, the current owners of the property. Scott announced in January that the grocery store retail giant could not secure any development of the land, despite an increased marketing effort.
Scott said that Stop & Shop believes retail stores, office space, or even a hotel would be the best development options for the land, as it sits next to one of two entryways to the Cape, one of the most popular summer tourism destinations in the country.
“It’s a large property. There are some infrastructure requirements that need to be made to make that property viable for a development project,” said Scott.
“We think the most viable kinds of users will be some sort of retail, hotel, or office. Given the size of the property and the magnitude of the infrastructure costs, we need to find a substantial user so that can be a precipitating agent to be able to develop the property.”
The delay in development can be attributed to the uncertainty of the future replacement of the Bourne Bridge and corresponding realignment of surrounding roadways.
Scott says that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has not provided Stop & Shop a clear indication of future plans for the Bridge and surrounding area.
Bourne Selectman James Potter said the replacement of the Bourne Bridge may not take place for another 10 years, if at all.
“The thing about the DOT plans is that they’re ten years out. I realize that they’re undertaking, and so is the Army Corps, with the bridges. All of those things are kind of further out. I think we’re looking for something a little closer,” said Potter.
Potter also urged Stop & Shop to be as diligent as possible in trying to develop the property, and asked Scott if the grocery giant has ever considered selling it.
The property was purchased by Stop & Shop in 2013 for $10 million. The property was granted a Cape Cod Commission Development of Regional Impact permit in July of 2017 that extends to July of 2022.
By TIM DUNN, CapeCod.com News Center
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