The Economic Development Department will seek public input on the commercial users of the upcoming new development at the former Obici Hospital site, director Kevin Hughes said in a Tuesday meeting.

He told the Economic Development Authority that a “portal” to collect that information would soon be in the works. The department aims to “introduce new users to the marketplace,” Hughes said.

The City Council gave its approval to the development in a 5-3 vote during its June 3 meeting. A vocal contingent of residents had wanted to turn the site into a park, citing concerns about traffic safety and declining property values they fear will result from the development.

The EDA is under contract to sell the back half of the 27.5-acre site to Waverton Associates, which plans a 224-apartment complex there. The EDA aims to put commercial and office buildings at the front of the site.

Hughes said Waverton submitted its site plan on June 5, and city contractors Kimley-Horn have begun working on the road redesign.

Waverton will build the road improvements itself, Hughes said.
“They will build it on our behalf because they can do it faster than us, and they’re obviously motivated to get their project up and running,” Hughes said.

He also said the site will have an owners’ association to help keep the development top-notch.

“We want to make sure it looks like a special type of development and make sure it looks different from what we currently see on North Main Street,” Hughes said.