Richmond Great Point Says It Was Unaware Of "Mount Richmond" Lawsuit

To the editor: This morning, I was informed that David Creed published an article regarding the sand located on the lots at 65 and 67 Old South Road. Please know that as of 2022 Mr. Valero is no longer an owner or principal of Richmond Great Point Development, LLC. Consequently, I request that you update your article to reflect the accurate state of facts. Richmond Great Point Development, LLC did, however, sell 65 & 67 Old South Road to an entity controlled by Mr. Valero in 2022 (i.e., LB Nantucket, LLC) as noted in the article. Nobody within the Richmond Great Point Development organization is aware of the details of Mr. Valero’s use of the property or was previously aware of the lawsuit filed by the Town. Similarly, we do not have any details related to the joint stipulation entered between the parties.

(editor's note: Shane Valero remains listed as a "partner" on Richmond Great Point Development's website) 

I would like to extend my gratitude to the Nantucket community for their patience while the Richmond Great Point Development projects have been under construction. I likewise appreciate that we were given the opportunity to execute upon our mission to make Nantucket a more sustainable community for the workforce. As all those familiar with Nantucket are aware, the housing crisis is a pernicious problem and a formidable adversary for those current generational families, and new residents alike, seeking the stability of a safe and modern place to call home. For the past 10 years, the Richmond Great Point Development team has been working diligently to assist those in need, despite the significant economic, political, and practical headwinds all developers face on the Island.

It gives me so much pleasure to walk through the community we’ve built and to see the neighborhood come to life with intergenerational families supporting each other’s lives and enjoying the natural gifts that Nantucket has to offer. I am impressed on a daily basis with the character and resilience displayed by the residents of Richmond’s community and the dedication of these year-round residents to become positive forces that give back to the community through their businesses and charitable efforts. Our development houses nurses, teachers, first responders, municipal employees, and every other type of critical resource worker necessary for the operation and sustainable success of Nantucket; nearly all of whom are first-time homebuyers who, without this project, would have never had an opportunity to make Nantucket their home.

The Richmond Great Point Development team is passionate about their work and we believe wholeheartedly in our mission to make Nantucket more sustainable for the workforce. I thank the Nantucket Current for allowing our response to Mr. Creed’s article. While neither I, nor the Richmond Great Point Development team members can rightly take credit for the monument, we nevertheless embrace the moniker with which you have branded Mr. Valero’s sand mountain and will regard it as a tribute to the positive impacts our development has unmistakenly had with the new generation of families and residents now enjoying the quality and standard of living they deserve.

In the coming months, I sincerely hope that the Nantucket Current makes efforts to inform its readership of the hardships caused by the Island’s housing crisis and the fragility of the labor network supporting the mass tourism economy each summer. This issue is not resolving itself and, while efforts continue to be made, we and the other housing developers and advocacy groups cannot conquer this problem without the help of the collective.

Very truly yours,

Phil Pastan
Manager, Richmond Great Point Development, LLC