Alders Susan Albright (chair of the Real Property Reuse Committee and Deb Crossley (chair of the Public Facilities Committee) have published an op-ed that will presumably be in this week’s TAB on the now-vacant Newton Centre Library.Read the whole thing but here’s their conclusion…
The city does not have the capacity or the resources to do this well and should offer the building for sale or (long term) lease to someone who will, so the community can realize the benefits the JAPG imagined
Last night, the Real Property Reuse committee met to discuss how to save this building. While the committee left open the possibility that the city may come up with the substantial investment required to restore and maintain the former Newton Centre Library, it will also actively explore other alternatives.
Accordingly, we instructed the planning department to draft a Request for Interest to see if there is anyone interested in buying or leasing the building, contingent upon doing the substantial restoration of the interior and exterior of the building required to save it. The committee is also willing to explore the possibility of the city restoring the building itself and using it for some public purpose, such as a community center. While members of the public who were present expressed a desire to have the city keep the building, it remains to be seen whether the city even wants it, and, if so, whether it is willing and able to come up with the funds to restore the building to its former glory, and commit sufficient funds to maintain it in the future. The committee also asked whether the administration was willing to commit emergency funding sufficient to stabilize the building and seal the envelope to prevent further damage from the intrusion of water.
Some members of the public also stated their desire to form a 501(c)(3) to take over the building for some public purpose, but it remains to be seen whether they could raise the money needed to restore the building. For example, the Newton Cultural Association is seeking to raise $5 million to restore the historic Allen House in West Newton, including $2 million from Community Preservation funds. A year and a half into the process, the Community Preservation Committee and the Board of Aldermen have approved just $300,000 to stabilize the building and make the facilities accessible, and whether additional CPA funds will be granted will depend entirely upon whether the NCA can persuade the CPC and the BOA that it has a viable business plan to ensure a stream of revenue sufficient to fund its capital and operational needs. If not, NCA will likely have to sell the building, which could ultimately end up in the hands of private developers.
What floored me last night was learning the building is no longer insured. First it became more expensive when the building was no longer occupied. Then, I guess because of the roof leaking, no one wanted to insure it at a price the city was willing to pay. So I guess it’s effectively “self-insured.”
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Audio of last night’s RPR meeting here: http://yourlisten.com/NewtonVillagesAlliance/real-property-reuse-committee-feb-24-2015