Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Corey Kupersmith Begins Construction of South Woods Farms

Mr. Corey A. Kupersmith’s relationship with Oak Bluffs and this Island, albeit a fiery one, started sometime back in the 1990s when Mr. Kupersmith, a developer from Greenwich, Connecticut bought the old Webb’s Camping Area for $2.5mm. Mr. Kupersmith continued acquiring land in the area in what is called the Southern Woodlands, some with unclear title, until he had amassed an additional 190 acres giving him a total of 280 acres.

His vision was for a luxury golf course community; however, his proposals were summarily rejected time after time in one of the ugliest skirmishes yet to befall the Vineyard. Finally the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank stepped in and purchased approximately 190 acres for $18.6 million thereby preserving 2/3’s of the Southern Woodlands.

During the beginning half of this year, many of us have wondered what the dramatically wide swath of excavation is cutting into the woodland off of County Road. Well, now we all know it is Mr. Kupersmith going ahead with his approved South Woods Farm subdivision of luxury homes.

Personally, I think it’s a shame a resolution couldn’t be found that would have allowed for a PUBLIC golf course with REASONABLE greens fees along with other forms of recreational activities like tennis and swimming, something that would have been accessible and affordable for all. I guess we’ll all have to wait for the greatly anticipated Martha’s Vineyard YMCA, but that’s another story.

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