A decision by the Massachusetts Port Authority to issue a new request for proposals (RFP) for development of the so-called North Apron at Hanscom Field is raising a lot of questions.
The area is adjacent to Hartwell Road and includes space that for years was the site of residential trailers for Air Force personnel. More than four years ago, the area was targeted for 160,000 square feet of new hangar space.
But that proposal has been replaced by what a Hanscom official could describe only in vague terms. “We don’t know what that will look like,” said Amber Goodspeed, manager of aviation administration, at Tuesday’s virtual meeting of the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission.
The RFP will probably be released later in the summer, she said, and “I don’t have the full details.”
Questions submitted in writing Wednesday afternoon by a reporter to a Massport community relations representative asking whether there are any limitations on the proposed development had not been answered as of the end of the business day Thursday.
During Tuesday’s meeting, in answer to a question by resident Chris Boles, Goodspeed said, “we are putting it out to bid in a very open-ended fashion.” She added that the RFP will not designate an intended use or defined structure. “We really don’t have a set goal other than to lease it to someone. There are no particular uses in mind.”
“This seems like another opportunity for fears to arise,” said Bedford Select Board member Emily Mitchell. She asked Goodspeed if Massport has particular goals or needs besides revenue enhancement. “We always need more space to park aircraft and we always want to bring in more revenue,” Goodspeed replied.
After the meeting, Mitchell, who is Bedford’s HFAC delegate, said, “I hesitate to speculate. There’s more that I want to hear about. It seems to have no parameters around it.”
Goodspeed said any proposal will be “subject to the permitting process,” but development on Massport land is exempt from local zoning and permitting. She also said there will be an opportunity for public comment.
The acreage does not include the site of planned T-hangars, which also were part of the 2017 vision. Those structures will replace older hangars currently on the Concord end of the airfield.
HFAC Chair Chris Eliot asked if Massport could shape the RFP to address community concerns. “Of course, conditions can be built into RFPs, if there’s a will,” commented Kati Winchell of the advocacy group Save Our Heritage, after the meeting.
Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763
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