Pennrose Chosen For Marceline Property

HARWICH – The affordable housing trust on Tuesday evening voted 4-0 to select Pennrose LLC as the developer that will design, construct and operate the 90-bedroom affordable housing complex on six acres of the former Marceline property at 456 Queen Anne Rd.

It is now up to the trust, working with town legal counsel, to solidify a land use development and ground lease with Pennrose over the next 90 days before the project can move forward. Pennrose was the most highly advantageous developer of the three companies that filed proposals.

That was the conclusion of the seven-member designer selection committee established by Town Administrator Joseph Powers, the town’s chief procurement officer, to assess proposals through a comparative evaluation process. Pennrose scored a 76, said Powers, while Mid-Cape Church Homes (Pine Oaks Village Homes) came in second with 58 points and the Planning Office of Urban Development for the Archdiocese of Boston had 45 points.

The comparative criteria included developer experience and capacity; affordability; site design; infrastructure and green design; building design; financial feasibility; preferences; and interviews. Pennrose had perfect scores in developer experience and capacity, affordability, and site design. It also received 11 out of 12 points for financial feasibility.

Powers said that while he made the recommendation based on the evaluation of the designer selection committee, the final decision on the most advantageous proposal to meet the needs of affordable housing was up to the trust.

AHT Chair Larry Ballantine said he liked how the Pennrose design looked and that it addressed the town’s needs. The company’s proposal includes 60 units with 90 bedrooms. It would be energy efficient, have good landscaping, and include child recreation and open space. It will fit with other houses in the area, Ballantine said.

Pennrose described the design as being “rooted in Harwich’s traditional design…and a community centered feel. The proposal includes a variety of residential building types and styles and a standalone community building, all organized around thoughtfully designed open spaces that invite connection.”

Trust member Robert Spencer questioned whether the trust was transparent enough going through the process. Ballantine said he was not sure how to answer the question, adding that the trust meetings are televised and open to public attendance.

Spencer also said Pennrose has multiple projects ongoing on the Cape, and he wondered how that might impact this project. The request for proposals has a section that deals with timelines, Powers said, adding that there is a 90-day deadline for entering into a contract.

“Selection does not presume a successful negotiation. Anything can happen in the 90-day process,” Powers said.

Pennrose is a multifamily development company that has been in operation for 50 years. It is based in Pennsylvania, but has offices in Boston and elsewhere. It has developed more than 27,000 rental housing units in 17 states, Washington, D.C. and the Virgin Islands. It has 926 units in Massachusetts, including a complex in Eastham and a major project underway in Orleans.

Richard Waystack wanted to know whether the project would be going before the Cape Cod Commission. He questioned the impact traffic mitigation and permitting might have financially on the project. He encouraged trust members to raise the traffic issue with Pennrose and to be sure they are aware of other proposed developments in the area that will impact traffic in the neighborhood.

The financials for the project were not discussed. According to Ballantine, they are preliminary at this point, though he said the trust would be providing funds for the project.