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Archer Daniels Midland closed its Mansfield chocolate factory this fall. ADM is transferring production to a new cocoa-processing facility in Hazleton, Penn. The property is expected to be put up for sale.
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Mansfield
The historical Lowney Chocolate Factory could find new life as modern day housing.
Proponent Joseph Mulkern and his attorney Edward Valanzola appeared before the planning board Wednesday night to request a special permit to renovate the century-old structure.
Mulkern is applying for federal tax credits to carry out an historical renovation of the building. He said he would be preserving the original structure, including sliding doors, elevator shafts and windows.
“Everything has to be saved. It will be a beautiful building,” he said.
Chocolate pioneer Walter M. Lowney built his six-story Mansfield factory in 1903 on a 14-acre parcel on Oakland Street.
Mulkern, president of Mulkern Mechanical on Oakland Street, said he is partnering with the Boston-based WinnDevelopment on the project.
Plans call for a 180-square foot structure with 108 studio- and one-bedroom apartments, ranging in size from 800- to 1,000-square feet.
The units would be suited to singles or young couples with no children, he said. The location is walking distance to the commuter rail station so it would have no impact on traffic or parking.
Mulkern said he had spent a lot of money on engineering work and needs the tax credits to make the project financially feasible. The application deadline is April 1.
Winn, which specializes in commercial and residential renovations, views this “as a gem in its portfolio.
“They are really excited to get this project going,” he said.
Local bylaws provide for the conversion of an older building in an industrial zone by special permit, Valanzola said. The original structure must have been built before 1953, it must be larger than 2,000 square feet and the new building must result in a less intrusive use.
If a special permit is not granted, his client might have to seek a zoning change, he said.
Planning Director Shaun Burke said the town considered unique and historical buildings such as the chocolate factory when it amended the zoning code in the 1980s to allow for reuse.
He supported the proposal but questioned whether the planning board had the authority to grant the request.
Planning board Chairman Thomas French said the town had been concerned about the deterioration of the vacant wood-framed building and the possibility of a fire or roof collapse.
“The last thing we want is for it to fall into decay,” he said.
The project will be discussed again at a meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 29.
The famed Lowney Chocolate Factory passed through a half dozen owners before it was finally shuttered last summer. Owner Archer Daniels Midland transferred production to a new cocoa-processing facility in Hazleton, Penn.
It marked the end of an era in Mansfield.
ADM paid $2.9 million for the property, which includes 14 acres and was valued at $2.7 million in 2010.
Mulkern holds a purchase and sale agreement on the property.