Public Purpose, Open Space Priorities for Swampscott School Reuse

SWAMPSCOTT, MA —The committee charged with proposing potential reuses of the Hadley Elementary School said Friday that a resident survey revealed having a public purpose and maintaining or adding open space around the building are priorities.

The Hadley School Reuse Committee said nearly 800 residents responded to the March survey where a "clear majority" said they agreed or strongly agreed that the site should include a public purpose and that a "strong priority" was maintaining, adding or improving open space amenities on site.

Respondents also showed a preference for preserving the main building, but less concern about preserving the annex building.

The 20-person committee was first proposed as a way to begin planning for the future of the school in the event a new, combined kindergarten through fourth-grade school is built on the location of the current Stanley School and the district deems the Hadley building no longer necessary.

The committee has met in sub-committees discussing possible uses for arts and culture, civic and nonprofit work, commercial space and affordable housing. Market-rate housing has been ruled out as possible use of the property.

"Community input is absolutely essential to this visioning process," Swampscott Senior Planner Molly O'Connell said. "The potential of this building is extraordinary, and we are excited to explore the possibilities."

A final report of multiple options will be presented to the Swampscott Select Board in August. The committee said a final decision on the reuse will likely require zoning changes approved at town meeting.

Full results from the report can be found here. Committee meetings are open to the public and can be found virtually here.

Did you find this article useful? Invite a friend to subscribe to Patch.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)