SOUTHWICK – Almost two months ago, the Select Board chose not to exercise their right of first refusal to purchase the Southwick Country Club property on College Highway. As a result of that decision, Richard Fiore, vice president of Fiore Realty LLC, opted to acquire the 110-acre property and develop single-family homes.
While Fiore said that it’s a “long road” until the construction for the development begins, the planning hasn’t stopped. Currently using a fourth set of plans, Fiore said he could be bringing the project to the town’s Planning Board in the next couple of weeks.
Southwick Country Club. (WNG File Photo)
“I think we’re real, real, close at this particular point to have linear plans,” he said.
Fiore, who is also the president and CEO of Comark Communications in Southwick, is focusing on creating a housing development to benefit the community.
“We’re hoping we come up with what is not just the best plan for us, but best for the town,” he said.
Fiore has announced one change to the original purchase plan. The developers have now decided to acquire the Candlewood Inn Restaurant property which is part of the Southwick Country Club. Fiore said he isn’t planning to keep the restaurant as a business, but will use the site for other purposes. In explaining the decision to acquire the additional property, Fiore said they were not sure if having a restaurant right next to homes that will be built is the most appealing aspect to a potential homebuyer.
In December of last year, Fiore said that they could be building anywhere from 45-50 housing units on the property, but recently noted he won’t be certain about that number until he begins the process with the Planning Board.
Along with receiving engineering assistance from R. Levesque Associates, Fiore has been in discussions with builders, real estate agents, and other interested parties about future plans for the development.
