A federal lawsuit now centers on the windmill at the stalled Forbes Park development, which was constructed primarily using state and federal grants but remains completely non-functional. The property went to auction fourteen days ago without attracting any bidders. Reports suggest the bank may be in discussions with a conventional developer about revitalizing the property.
The Forbes Park development was envisioned as a catalyst for a new Green Revolution in residential construction, yet today it stands abandoned—unable to find a buyer at a recent bank auction, with its prominent windmill now the subject of a federal lawsuit filed by U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz.
Over two years prior, the Record documented that the Forbes Park windmill was inoperable and that the broader development had stalled beyond recovery. At that time, reporting indicated that the state’s Renewable Energy Trust Fund had provided a $500,000 grant for the windmill’s design and construction years earlier—a non-repayable grant despite the windmill’s failure to function and its apparent inability to ever operate.
Last month, however, the federal government sought to recover its portion of the windmill grant funding, filing a lawsuit through U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz demanding $372,411 in grant money plus $140,000 in interest.
According to initial reporting by the Boston Globe, the lawsuit stems from a federal Renewable Energy Laboratory assessment conducted the previous year. That review determined the windmill failed to meet minimum energy production standards, as it generates no energy whatsoever. Federal grant requirements for the windmill’s construction mandate specific annual energy output levels, or repayment becomes obligatory.
The Laboratory attempted to secure repayment from developer Blair Galinsky of Somerville, but without success. This prompted the federal lawsuit on July 23rd.
Locating Galinsky has proven difficult.
Once vocal and optimistic about the development during its proposal phase, he now declines to respond to requests for comment.
The bank now holds the property—a progressive institution owned by the SEIU Service Union with a track record of Green project investment. Amalgamated Bank sustained losses exceeding $130 million in mortgages extended to Forbes Park over two years, according to public records.
Two weeks ago, according to the Globe, the entire 17-acre site was offered at auction through the Paul Saperstein Auction Company, which found no interested buyers.
After the modest gathering of potential bidders failed to offer sufficient amounts, the bank withdrew the property from sale.
The opening bid stood at $5.7 million.
The bank maintained possession.
Despite the apparent hopelessness of the former Green Revolution site—originally purchased by Galinsky in 2004 for slightly over $8 million—a glimmer of possibility exists through a more conventional developer.
Following the unsuccessful auction, City officials suggested that the lack of qualified bids may enable the bank to pursue negotiations with an unidentified developer regarding construction of 300 units at the location.