Hadley Elementary School Reuse Committee Proposes Building Reuse Scenarios in Final Report
The Hadley Elementary School Re-Use Advisory Committee has released their final report to the Swampscott Select Board envisioning three potential alternative reuse scenarios for the Hadley Elementary School in the event that the current building becomes vacant due to the construction of a new combined K-4 elementary school. The three proposed scenarios include: Mixed-Use Commercial; Affordable Housing; and Hospitality.
In preparing for the possibility that the building could become available for potential reuse, last year the Select Board unanimously urged Town Meeting to develop a committee which would envision reuse of the historic building excluding market rate housing. Through a community-focused, iterative process including over 20 public meetings, the 19-person Hadley Elementary School Re-Use Advisory Committee and four sub-committees explored uses and ultimately proposed 3 reuse scenarios that reflected committee research, community input, and the committee charge.
Scenario #1 – Mixed Use Commercial – envisions a true mix-used building with various commercial tenants and dedicated community/arts space. The main building is re-used, the existing annex is demolished to allow a new entry addition with elevator access, and a community plaza connects the site to Redington Street.
In Scenario #2 – Affordable Housing – the site is transformed into a 100% senior affordable housing development with public space on the ground floor of a new addition. The main building is re-used and the existing annex is replaced by a new addition that provides accessible entry to both the residential and public portions of the building. Outdoor amenities include a relocated playground area and community gathering space.
In Scenario #3 – Hospitality – the site becomes the home of the newest boutique hotel on the North Shore. Hotel rooms are located throughout the main building and a new addition. The existing auditorium is repurposed as an interior courtyard and event space; the new addition hosts a modern lobby and connects to an exterior community plaza.
“I’m incredibly pleased that the committee came back to the Select Board with 3 dynamic scenarios that are consistent with the Board’s unanimous feeling that market rate housing should not be part of the future of this property,” said Chair of the Select Board Peter Spellios. “We want the community to feel confident that the Town is dedicated to ensuring the building be reused in a way that immediately reflects the needs of the community. Molly O’Connell, Swampscott’s Senior Planner, did an amazing job working with the Committee to produce such a professional and comprehensive report.”
“As a result of this large and talented committee, staff guidance, and the number of public meetings and opportunities for community feedback – this is truly a model for how this type of planning process should be done,” said Select Board Vice Chair Polly Titcomb. “The efficiency and comprehensiveness of the process is impressive.”
Senior Planner Molly O’Connell led the committee in their charge to produce the report. “I’m really excited by the scenarios that have emerged throughout this process,” said O’Connell. “There is real viability in these ideas and this building provides such an incredible opportunity for the Town to fulfill community needs.”
“The work of this committee has been truly extraordinary and thorough,” said Committee Chair Steve Perdue. “With such a talented, thoughtful group of individuals around the virtual table – along with vital community input – we were able to really home in on what our community needs and the best possible scenarios for this important space.”
At its meeting on Tuesday night, the Swampscott Select Board voted unanimously to include an article in the Special Town Meeting Warrant to request authority from Town Meeting to allow it to record a deed restriction that would prohibit market-rate residential housing at the Hadley School project. Swampscott Town Meeting will take up this article when it meets on September 13th.
In late fall, Town staff will return to the Select Board to propose the release of a Request for Information (RFI) which would utilize the framework of the committee report to solicit interest from potential developers and Town partners to utilize the building in a dynamic way that demonstrates community benefit.
The final report can be found on the Town of Swampscott website: www.swampscottma.gov/hadley-elementary-school-reuse-advisory-committee. The Town continues to welcome public feedback on these scenarios. Feedback can be emailed to Senior Planner Molly O’Connell at moconnell@swampscottma.gov.