SWANSEA — Local restaurant owner Al Monte has returned the keys to the owner of Pleasure Island. His dream of purchasing the approximate 5-acre island and rehabbing it into a fun, family-friendly place is over, he said.
Monte’s real estate broker, Christopher Carreiro, also a Swansea selectman, said there is still hope that the dormant Pleasure Island will reopen to the public again. Carreiro expressed hope that voters could even revisit the zoning matter. Some voters at Monday’s Town Meeting were turned away due to COVID-19 precautions.
At Monday’s Town Meeting at the Venus de Milo, residents voted 152-119 in favor of rezoning the entire island to commercial, but the zoning change needed a two-thirds majority vote, which was not reached.
The island, which sits only a few hundred feet away on three sides from nearby neighborhoods, is a mix of commercial and residential areas.
Monte and others said the zoning change was needed for him to get the financial backing, as the property would need around $2 million to rehabilitate. There is a dilapidated bridge that connects the island to mainland Swansea which needs to be replaced. Costs for a new bridge have been estimated around $800,000.
Monte said this zoning change was part of his arrangement with the owner. As a result, his purchase and sale was terminated with current owner Costa Management and Edward Costa.
Monte and Carreiro said roughly 55 percent of voters supported the rezoning. Carreiro, who also runs a law practice in town, said voters contacted him on Tuesday. He said some “yes” voters complained that they were not allowed entry into Venus due to COVID-19 restrictions. Carreiro said that some had COVID-19 but tested negative on the second round, and were quarantined for 14 days or more after the negative test result.
Monte said his own father and a few of his in-laws, all “yes” voters, did not attend due to the pandemic.
At the door, all participants were questioned and their temperatures were taken before entry.
“They were denied permission to participate in the Democratic process,” Carreiro said. “I wouldn’t expect that to be happening in the United States of America.”
Carreiro said he hopes the issue is revisited and feels that many participants on Monday spoke in favor of Pleasure Island returning. The island, once a popular summer spot, has not been active in 10 years. It was once a popular site for weddings, family gatherings, and ice skating.
Monte, his lawyer, Peter Saulino, and others spoke of how Monte had plans for a place where people could go kayaking, go for ice cream by the water or get clam cakes.
Opponents at Monday’s meeting, many of whom live in the Ocean Grove neighborhood, said sound travels easily over the water. Many complained that a past owner had loud gatherings, and that the narrow thoroughfare makes traffic difficult for locals.
As a selectman, Carreiro has recused himself from all official proceedings, but has spoken favorably of the project and what it could mean for the town.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if this isn't voted on again. It could be voted on sooner rather than later and the community spoke loud and clear last night. They want to open the gates to Pleasure Island again,” he said on Tuesday.
Carreiro said he has had no official talks with other selectmen if there would be any plans to revisit the issue.
Steven Kitchin, the select board chairman, could not be reached for comment.
Carreiro mentioned at Monday’s meeting that there has been interest in developing the property as a state Chapter 40B development.
“Someone is either going to go the route where they bypass all of the zoning bylaws to redevelop it as multi-family housing, or someone will have to navigate the obstacles and complexities that exist to redevelop the property,” Carreiro said. “The real problem is to navigate those obstacles and the protracted process.”
Some officials at Monday’s meeting, prompted by a question from a voter, said eminent domain would be a costly proposition, if the town wanted to purchase it and redevelop it in a manner similar to Monte’s proposal.
Carreiro said he does not believe that would be necessary, as the current owner is eager to sell it.
Carreiro said the town could initiate a purchase, and spend around $2 million to $4 million, with the bridge rehabilitation part of those costs.
As for Monte, his dream is over. He feels the neighbors who fought against it made a mistake, and the rest of Swansea deserves a place where they can all enjoy the water.
“I live on the other side of Swansea (with no waterfront),” he said. “This would have been an opportunity for the rest of Swansea to take advantage of.”