The Select Board is considering purchasing the NRTA transit hub, sometimes known as the Greenhound building, which is currently owned by Wendy and Eric Schmidt’s ReMain Nantucket.
The potential acquisition will be discussed behind closed doors in executive session tomorrow, as the Select Board weighs yet another real estate deal in the downtown area known as Harbor Place. Last month, Nantucket Current broke the story that the town was in discussions with Winthrop Nantucket Nominee Trust to purchase the aging fuel tank farm property. Those discussions continue.
“The important thing is that these are pieces of the puzzle and we’re working diligently to find the right path forward,” Select Board chair Dawn Hill-Holdgate said of both the tank farm and 10-12 Washington Street, the NRTA transit hub property. “One of our biggest goals is to improve multiple modes of transportation in that area. We’re in deep discussions and these are all pieces of the puzzle.”
Hill Holdgate said ReMain had essentially offered the property to the town to purchase, and that it had always been part of the organization’s plan. ReMain purchased the property, which used to be the Island Spirits liquor store, back in 2008 and subsequently leased it to the town for $1 per year for use as the transit hub. But with the redevelopment of Harbor Place now on the front burner, having control of the property, even if it’s across the street from the primary parcels of Harbor Place, would be important, Hill Holdgate said.
