Swampscott To Present Machon School Development Plans

SWAMPSCOTT, MA – The redevelopment of the former Machon Elementary School is entering its next phase. The Town of Swampscott and B’nai B’rith Housing (BBH, the developers) have been working closely to make this project come to life.

With the draft schematic plans now put together, the town and BBH will present those plans at a public meeting on Thursday, March 23, at 7 p.m. in Swampscott High School Room B129.

Town Meeting approved the selection and redevelopment proposal from BBH at the Annual Town Meeting in May 2016. The town then entered into a Land Development Agreement with the developer based on Town Meeting’s wishes. Before the developer enters into the permit submission and review process, the Town and BBH would like to present the current plans to the community to get initial feedback and comments.

"This is a perfect opportunity for the community to not only see what’s to come but take part in it early on in the process," said Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald. The schematic plans – which will be seen at the meeting on March 23 – will need to be approved by the Board of Selectmen. Once the Selectmen give that approval, then BBH will have the opportunity to finalize the plans and submit them for the permit review process.

The redevelopment of the Machon Elementary School has been in the making for a number of years. The school was closed down in 2007 and later turned over to the town.

"We held a community forum in February 2015 that had residents work together to come up with reuse ideas for our vacant town-owned buildings. The resounding feedback regarding the Machon School was to convert it into affordable senior housing," said Pete Kane, Director of Community Development.

The project moving forward meets that direct request. The plans call for the reuse of the original 1920 portion of the school building with a new addition. It will include 38 units of affordable senior housing which has been identified as a critical need in both the Town’s recent master plan and housing production plan.

Residents are encouraged to take part in the meeting on Thursday, March 23, at 7 p.m. in Swampscott High School Room B129.

Patch file photo