No contamination found at site of Natick armory

Environmental tests have found no contamination in the soil under the Natick National Guard Armory, according to the Lexington developer who hopes to turn it into offices and condominiums.

Town officials had considered purchasing the state-owned property on Route 135 for public use but shied away because of the risk of pollution. Developer Syed Nuruzzaman outbid several others with a $1.3 million offer.

He said last week that a state-mandated soil test showed no hazardous materials. He was pleased with the findings in light of the town's suspicions, he said.

''It's very good news," he said.

The state had refused to let the town test the property before the auction, saying surplus state land is sold as is. The property's use as a military storage facility had raised concerns that chemicals had seeped into the ground -- and a costly cleanup would be required.

Nuruzzaman said he planned to meet with town officials April 27 to discuss preliminary plans for the site. He likened the 34,000-square-foot brick building to ''a plane hangar" and said its size allows a wide range of potential developments.

However, the cramped three-fourths-acre property is too small for outside parking, so Nuruzzaman plans to build an underground lot.

He said he wants to work with town officials to create a development that both sides welcome. Yet he said he would take advantage of the state's affordable housing law to sidestep local zoning restrictions and build a denser project if he and the town cannot reach a ''reasonable agreement."

He said that while some residents consider the nearly 90-year-old facility an eyesore, the new development would preserve some of the building's current appearance.

A housing development would require a special permit because the lot is zoned for office use, he said.

Bob Bois, Natick's environmental compliance officer, said the armory was used to repair vehicles at a time when chemicals were treated more casually.

''Based on the site's history, there was a suspicion of contamination there," he said.