The city will be able to offer up to a 99-year lease to a developer to build a golf course on the former Metropolitan State Hospital property if the governor signs legislation passed last week.
A bill which passed the House and Senate last week would allow Waltham to offer the lease in a request for proposals soliciting developers to build a nine-hole course on a 55-acre stretch of property along Trapelo Road.
Without special permission from the Legislature, cities and towns can only lease public property for up to 10 years. Mayor Jeannette McCarthy along with the City Council asked the Legislature for a special act that allows the city to offer a lengthier lease.
The bill was pushed through the Legislature by state. Rep. Thomas Stanley, D-Waltham, and state Sen. Susan Fargo, D-Lincoln.
Stanley said the bill went to the governor's office Friday. He has 10 days to decide whether to sign it.
Stanley said a nine-hole course is a sensible use for the property.
"It would provide a good outdoor recreation for Waltham residents at an affordable price," Stanley said.
It's been about 16 years since a committee of residents in Lexington, Belmont and Waltham laid out plans for the former Metropolitan Hospital property. The committee agreed a nine-hole course is the best use of the parcel.
Instead of the city building and running a course, city officials eventually decided to lease the property to a developer who would build and maintain one.
Last year, the City Council approved an RFP to solicit developers for the project, which offered up to a 10-year lease for the property.
McCarthy said while there was initial interest from developers, they decided to look elsewhere because of the short term of the lease or due to environmental restrictions that were placed in bid specifications.
McCarthy said the restrictions in the bid specs protect the natural landscape. There are also safeguards in place to protect neighboring homes, she said.
McCarthy said she was originally in favor of putting a miniature golf course on the parcel.
"I feel that there should be activities for the whole family," the mayor said.
Ward 1 Councilor Robert Kelly, one of the strongest proponents of the nine-hole course, said that the original RFP the city offered for a 10-year lease was "destined for doom" because developers would want more of a commitment before deciding to put up the money to build and run a course.
Kelly said the course is long overdue and would save residents from having to drive to other cities and towns to play a few rounds.
"It's just another component that just rounds out your community," he said.
Richard Conn can be contacted at 781-398-8004 or rconn@cnc.com.
