The city of Somerville began the process of selling and leasing underutilized real estate in an effort to foster financial stability for the new fiscal year.
The plan, spearheaded by Mayor Joseph Curtatone of Somerville, entails the selling of the Durrell School building on Beacon Street as well as the possible selling or leasing of the Homans Building on Medford Street. Both locations, which have seen little use, are hoped to become of tremendous value to the city and its residents.
"We said we would cut waste and make better use of our resources and this is part of that effort," said Curtatone. "In these difficult fiscal times, there's no sense holding on to unused buildings, especially given the current real estate market."
The sale of the Durrell School building is an integral part of the 2005 fiscal year budget established by the Board of Aldermen. The budget, passed this summer, necessitates a real estate sale in order to balance. The Durrell facility, having ceased operation more than 20 years ago, was on top of the mayor's list for resale.
"The Durrell sale is imperative, so it will get done this winter," said Curtatone.
The Durrell School Re-Use Committee, comprised of city officials and neighborhood representatives, initially met in mid-November to discuss a "Request for Proposals" (RFP) sale process, by which city can place stipulations on and control the conditions on the sale as well as the re-use of the property.
The sale, however, has encountered some unforeseen setbacks. Included in these was the rescheduling of a public meeting to discuss the re-use of the facility. The first meeting, scheduled in early December and planned in order to integrate the public's viewpoint, was ill-attended. Consequently, a second better-publicized meeting was held on January 4, 2005.
Ezra Glenn, the director of planning and development for the city of Somerville, attended the meeting Jan. 4. "No one voiced any opposition or concern over selling the building, which has not been used as a school in approximately 20 years," said Glenn.
Glenn noted that the support of the public hinged on several stipulations the city has established in an effort to protect the historic value of the building. These include prohibiting the demolition of the building, adding stories, and keeping the entrance of the building on Beacon Street.
Furthermore, the Durrell School facility has been labeled as a "Historic District." This means that any developers who purchase the building must consult the Historic Preservation Committee before making any external renovations.
According to Mark Horan, the spokesperson for Mayor Curtatone, city officials have "not heard a huge outcry over [the historical integrity of the building]." Nevertheless, Horan affirms the city's commitment to historical preservation.
"I'm sure there are developers interested in preservation, and the city does care about it at well," said Horan.
As part of the RFP plan, the committee also asked that any future developers also provide funding for the development of a garden adjacent to the building.
"Whoever buys the building will likely receive a handsome return on their investment, so we are asking the bidders to make an investment in our community as well," said Curtatone.
Despite the scheduling of a second public meeting, Horan reasserted the mayor's motion for the prompt sale of the facility.
"The [sale of the] Durrell School building will definitely be done before June 30 because it is called for in the current fiscal year budget," said Horan. The current fiscal year, which ends on June 30, marks the time at which the city hoped to achieve financial stability.
According to Horan, a draft RFP plan for the sale of the Durrell School building has since been submitted to the Board of Aldermen.
The plan for the Homans Building, purchased by the city in 1996, is underway but not as developed as is the plan for the Durrell School. According to Horan, the sale or lease of the building before the end of the fiscal year is doubtful but possible.
The sale of the Homans Building, unlike that of the Durrell School building, was not included in the fiscal year 2005 budget.
It is uncertain whether or not the facility will be sold or leased.
"I will be working with the Board of Aldermen and the community in the next several weeks to develop the best approach for the Homans Building," Curtatone said.
According to both Glenn and Horan, the consensus among the public is overwhelmingly in support of Curtatone's plan.
Tufts junior Gregory Katz, who lives off-campus in Somerville, echoed the positive sentiments. "Taking something that is underutilized and trying to utilize it more is rather sensible in my opinion," he said.
"Whether through a sale or lease, we believe the property will be a very attractive opportunity for a private developer and the city stands to reap substantial benefits," said Curtatone.
