71 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 413-648-SHEA

Montague City Village Center Redevelopment Project Public Presentation

Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm
Join us at 6PM on March 10th at Shea Theater for Public Presentation and Q&A on Re-Development Strategies for Former Farren Hospital Site

Montague Engages Land Use and Real Estate Experts to Guide Redevelopment Strategy for Former Farren Hospital Site During March 10 TAP Session

Join us at 6PM on March 10th at Shea Theater for Public Presentation and Q&A on Re-Development Strategies for Former Farren Hospital Site

Before the Town of Montague issues a Request for Proposal (RFP) for re-developing the former Farren Hospital site (see attached map), the Town is participating in the Urban Land Institute Boston/New England Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) Program to help the Town determine the best redevelopment strategy that balances economic feasibility with community goals. A panel of senior-level land use and real estate professionals will provide the Town with candid, unbiased insights over a one-day session on key questions, such as:

Planning & Feasibility: Should the site be subdivided prior to disposition? What are the benefits and disadvantages of subdivision?

Implementation: If subdivision occurs, should the Town issue a single RFP for a master developer or multiple RFPs?

Market & Financing: What are the advantages and disadvantages of selecting a master developer for a site of this size and condition in Franklin County?

Montague’s TAP session is scheduled on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

At the end of the session, the public is invited to attend the panel's 6:00pm presentation of their findings and recommendations at the Shea Theater Arts Center, 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls. A question-and-answer period will follow. Light refreshments will be served. Montague Community Television (MCTV) will be recording the evening event.

Public Presentation Event Details:

Date/Time: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm (doors open at 5:30pm)

Location: Shea Theater Arts Center, 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls

Meeting Purpose: to attend the public presentation of the panel's findings and recommendations. A question-and-answer period will follow. All are welcome

Montague TAP Panelists include:

Andrew Arbaugh, Professional Landscape Architect and Principal at Copley Wolff Design Group, Inc.

Ben Murphy, Vice President of Real Estate at MassDevelopment

David Reed, Founder & Principal at SustainMobility

Emma McGurren, Associate Program Manager at Massachusetss Housing Partnership

Mark Mascia, CEO and Partner at Collaborative RED

Michael Fergus, Senior Project Manager at CB Richard Ellis (CBRE)

Montague’s TAP session is sponsored by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP). As a leader and innovator, MHP expands access to affordable housing and promotes housing equity in communities across the Commonwealth.

For more information, please visit the project webpage found HERE.

For questions/comments, contact Maureen Pollock, Planning Director, at mpollock@montague-ma.gov or (413) 863-3200 x112.

About ULI Boston/New England Technical Assistance Panel Program:

ULI Boston/New England's Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) Program is designed to provide objective, expert advice to municipalities on the potential, design, or implementation of development initiatives to address a specific land use challenge. ULI Boston/New England puts together an interdisciplinary Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) of land use professionals from the ULI membership to explore the land use challenge and provide recommendations to the municipality.

TAPs utilize the expertise of diverse ULI members with unique expertise in planning and development. The panel provides consultation and recommendations at the request of public officials and nonprofit organizations facing complex land use challenges. Each TAP spends one to two days visiting study sites, analyzing existing conditions, identifying specific planning and development issues, and formulating realistic and actionable recommendations to move initiatives forward.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors and Underwriters

Australis Aquaculture • Artisan Beverage Cooperative • Benjamin Company • Berkshire Brewing Company • Cohn and Company Real Estate Agency • Community Credit • Common Capital • Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts • Connecticut River Internists • Dean's Beans • Easthampton Savings Bank • FirstLight GDF Suezna •Gagne Wealth Management Group • Gill Tavern • Gilmore and Farrell Insurance Company • Goff Media • Great Falls Harvest • Green River Festival • Greenfield Community College • Greenfield Cooperative Bank • Greenfield Savings Bank • Loot • Massachusetts Cultural Council • Montague Bookmill • Montague WebWorks • Northeast Solar • People's Pint • Rainmaker Consulting • The Rendezvous • Solar Store of Greenfield • Stobierski and Connor • Told Video • True North Transit • Turn It Up

Exciting News for A Happening V: The Bestiary

Cloudgaze and Eggtooth Productions are thrilled to announce that we have received generous grants from the Mass Cultural Council as well as the Community Foundation of Western MA to support our 2025 Immersive Arts Festival, “A Happening V: The Bestiary.”

This festival will transform the Shea Theater into an exploration of theme, hosting installations, music, theatrical performances, and movement pieces, featuring the collective contributions of over 50 local artists. Audiences will experience otherworldly environments and narratives inspired by Aesop's Fables, George Orwell's Animal Farm, newly imagined cautionary tales, and creature myths of all origins.

Thanks to the Mass Cultural Council for their vital support this year.We'd also like to thank the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts for their support in the form of a Flexible Funding grant. We couldn't do this work without you!