Thursday Presentation on Greenwood Ave School Property Revival

SWAMPSCOTT, MA – One of the town's vacant properties may be reincarnated. On Jan. 5, Director of Community Development Pete Kane will present the two proposals for the Greenwood Avenue School property, which has been closed since 2007.

At the last Town Meeting, changes to the town's zoning bylaws that directly affect the property were voted in. The Board of Selectmen released a request for proposals (RFP) this past fall for the property, looking for proposals that meet the intention and direction of the zoning by Oct. 17. Specifically, the RFP asked for housing projects with appropriate scale, consistent with neighborhood characteristics, and compliance with zoning.

"The Town’s been focused on reuse of its vacant properties over the past few years. We’re now moving forward to reinvigorate those properties like the Machon School on Burpee Road which will soon become affordable senior housing," said Kane. "Swampscott has spent a number of years discussing and pondering what to do with the various shuttered properties, but now’s the action phase to make those ideas reality."

A Review Committee, consisting of the acting town administrator, Kane, and two selectmen, will make a recommendation on the proposals to the Board of Selectmen. They have already started looking at the proposals and meeting with the submitters.

The presentation on the proposals will take place at a community forum on Jan. 5, at 7 p.m. in the Swampscott High School cafeteria. Attendees will have the opportunity to give feedback on the proposals.

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