Leewood Real Estate Group has signed a memorandum of understanding with Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, N.H. to become the exclusive developer of several potential projects on the school's campus.
The memorandum of understanding signed with Franklin Pierce provides for Leewood to explore the feasibility of developing several areas of university property as part of a Campus Village Initiative to potentially include retail shops, new student housing and an active adult community. Leewood would be the exclusive developer, if one or more of the proposed projects were determined by the university and town to be feasible. The first phase of the project will be to explore opportunities for new on-campus student housing to replace existing housing with more spacious and modern accommodations and to provide additional capacity. The second phase will be to evaluate the feasibility of developing an active adult community on the campus. Residents could have a unique opportunity to utilize a variety of the university's amenities, including athletic facilities,dance studio, theatre, art facilities and a lakeside beach. They also will be afforded the chance to audit classes, making the development a true "live and learn" community. Finally, Leewood and Franklin Pierce will explore possibilities for the development of a village center on campus property adjacent to Route 119, with the possibility of retail, medical and office uses that the entire town can utilize. An inn and conference center will also be considered. The village center concept could have wide-ranging benefits for the entire area. The initial planning process is expected to take several months with an emphasis on gathering community input. The final objective is to develop projects that serve the needs of every stakeholder in the Rindge community.