Peabody board discusses fate of vacant building

PEABODY – Replacement plans are still up in the air for the former Peabody school administration building located at 70 Endicott St.Members of the Industrial and Community Development Committee met Thursday night to discuss proposals by two private businesses interested in the vacant lot.The non-profit health organization North Shore Community Health, Inc. would like to move from their current Foster Street location with hopes of expanding their services.Dr. Robert Hendershott, C.E.O. spoke on behalf of the move, citing the important additions of both behavioral and dental health departments that would not be available otherwise.”Our spot on Foster (Street) is very small,” said Hendershott. “We really need to have a bigger expansion for the community.”His proposal for a $1.5 million two-story community health clinic would include roughly 12 exam rooms, six to eight laboratories, and see 15-20 patients per day, similar to that of the Salem location. The site would provide primary care, immunizations, dental care, nutrition, mental health analysis, pharmacy services, and financial counseling to the “medically underserved,” insured, and uninsured.Although most Committee members agreed that such a facility is needed in downtown Peabody, they still had some reservations on whether or not 70 Endicott St. is the right location.Councilor-at-Large Anne Manning, who’s not part of the Committee, shared her concerns over the type of clients that would be served.”I’m in the same business as you, but also know the clientele,” said Manning, noting the building’s close proximity to a playground, a senior center, and the Higgins Middle School.Manning was afraid that some patients with behavioral health issues, such as drug and alcohol abuses, would seek out the clinic for methadone, etc. Hendershott assured her that no such activity would occur, as that’s not what the clinic is for.Committee member and Ward 2 Councilor Arthur Athas was concerned about parking, as the plan requires 60 spots, only half of which will fit in the lot.”It’s a blight, it’s an eyesore, and it would be nice to have it out of there,” Councilor Dave Gravel said of the abandoned building. However, he fears the city might miss out on monetary benefits by selling the property to a non-profit. He suggested a possible lease-to-own, or selling the building, but leasing the land.Resident Bob McGinness opposed the health center, stating that parking would be a large issue. He said he would rather the second proposal by McNiff Builders, Inc. to construct four single-family homes. Representatives from McNiff were not present at the meeting.The Committee decided to discuss the issue further in future meetings, rather than make a rash decision.