My Take on RLF Public Forum #2 on Feb 29, 2024
By Laurie Gray

The purpose of this meeting was to share design ideas for Phase 1 of the proposed development of the RLF Mall.  The first forum on this same topic was on 1/18 (Click here for info on that forum).  

I attended the RLF meeting on Thursday 2/29.  As always, if you were there and heard it differently, please chime in.

The RLF presented its history and mission. They stated that keeping retail at the mall is important to them. The RLF presented a plan that was similar to the plan presented in January.  

This is a preliminary Phase 1 Plan to redevelop the Twisted Tree/Something Special/Bank of America building with about 40 units, a mix of studios, 1 bedrooms, and 2 bedrooms.  This preliminary design included a 2nd floor garden area for building residents and about 7000 square feet of "street activating" 1st floor areas (would be a mix of retail and amenities for the building).  

They stated that they recognize it would be hard to fit in 100 residential units on the RLF Mall parcel (as zoned for in Article 3/Option C) and maintain the current retail presence at the mall so they have responded to resident feedback and will ”go slower.”  However, they do not want the HCA rezoning to be delayed, in order to come up with a compromise solution. They stated that a delay in passing the rezoning at the mall would send the signal that Lincoln is not serious about housing at Lincoln Station (a resident later asked them not to think that way--that people are serious about housing in Lincoln Station but still would like a compromise).  While the mall is profitable right now, Lincoln is not immune to national trends of a decline in retail and they hope that more people living at Lincoln station will provide more customers for the mall.

Summary of Questions & Answers:

• A resident stated that people are worried about the 100 unit build-out at the mall because it would be hard for the retail presence to be maintained with that many residential units.  The resident said the RLF would gain a lot of trust if they would agree to a lower density (12 units per acre--instead of 25 units per acre) which would allow for this Phase 1 design of 40-45 units.  A higher density could be considered in the future.  The RLF stated they would like the Mall to be rezoned at 25 units per acre "for future flexibility."  

My note:  people have stated that zoning the mall at 25 units per acre helps lower the densities elsewhere, but this is a distracting comment.  As a town, we could rezone areas like Battle Road Farm, which is highly unlikely to get redeveloped, in order to lower the density at places like the Mall.

• Similarly a resident expressed concern about the special permit to reduce the retail requirement.  The RLF also wants "the flexibility" of the special permit.  They stated that residents are focusing too much on square footage of retail and that the retail stores might want smaller spaces.
  
  

• A resident asked if they have looked at a full build out of 100 units at the mall.  The RLF stated that they have seen plans that will have “substantial” retail, but when asked to elaborate, the RLF would not offer any clarification on “substantial.”  They are not showing plans for a full build out at this time.
  
  

• A resident asked what would happen if the RLF defaults on their mortgage.  The RLF responded that the mall is currently profitable but they presume if the RLF defaults then the owner of the mortgage would sell the mall.
  
  

• A resident asked if a financial feasibility study was done and what it showed in terms of the rents that would be charged.  The RLF stated that they have done a study but are keeping the results private.