Stratford Capital Group & North Shore Community Development Coalition’s proposed site plan for the shuttered Machon Elementary School in Swampscott.
By GAYLA CAWLEY
SWAMPSCOTT — Two proposals for affordable senior housing have been submitted for the shuttered Machon Elementary School, but some neighbors are skeptical.
The school, at 35 Burpee Road, has been vacant since it closed in 2007. The Board of Selectmen approved plans for a sale or lease of the property through a Request for Proposal process.
Plans could include housing, educational or community uses, and were due March 21. Developers were encouraged to save the original 1920 building, and consider senior and affordable housing for the property. The school also has a single-story addition constructed on its northwest side, built in 1963.
Proposals were submitted from B’Nai B’Rith Housing/Covenant Commonwealth Corp., a nonprofit that builds affordable homes for seniors in Greater Boston, and Stratford Capital Group & North Shore Community Development Coalition, a real estate team who focus on distressed neighborhoods.
Thomas Younger, town administrator, said the review committee will examine what’s in the best interest of the community. The panel will then make a recommendation to the board who will make a selection. Town Meeting will get the final say in May.
“I am very pleased that we’re moving forth with a possible reuse of a vacant building,” Younger said.
But a few neighbors don’t agree.
“I think they promised green space,” said Adam Bailey, who lives a few houses away.
Bailey said a new building with more traffic is not a good idea. He said Jackson Woods has already been compromised when the high school was built.
“Why cut into it even more?” Bailey asked. “It will take away more green space.”
Polly Titcomb, another abutter, also said the best thing for the town would be a park. She said it would be too bad if more park land is consumed by development. She was also concerned about traffic.
“For me, it’s a size issue,” Titcomb said. “I don’t want something that’s out of character with the neighborhood or structures. It’s a really busy neighborhood and street as it is.”
B’Nai B’Rith Housing is proposing a 99-year ground lease of the property with a one-time payment of $500,000. The project would feature a reuse of the original building and demolition of the older addition, which would include new construction of a two-and-a-half story addition in its place.
The senior housing would include 41 one-bedroom units, 38 parking spaces, patio and lawn space for residents and access to Jackson Woods at the northwest edge. A laundry facility, gym, library and multi-purpose common room would also be on-site.
Susan Gittelman, executive director of B’Nai B’Rith Housing, said the nonprofit partners with communities to respond to needs they identify. In Swampscott’s case, she said, there’s a lack of affordable senior housing.
“There’s a huge need,” Gittelman said. “Over a third of senior households in Swampscott make under $40,000 a year.”
Stratford and North Shore are proposing a $750,000 purchase with 26 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom units. The proposal is for reuse of the older building and demolition of the addition, with new construction of a two-and-a-half to three-story addition in its place.
The site features would include a drop-off driveway, 35 parking spaces, a lawn at the southeast portion of the property and community access to Jackson Woods at the northwest edge. Inside would be a large common room and a laundry facility.
A representative for North Shore Community Development Coalition could not be reached for comment.
Naomi Dreeben, chairperson of the Board of Selectmen, said she is a proponent of affordable senior housing and was pleased with the two proposals.
“Our town clearly needs more affordable housing,” Dreeben said. “We can see that we’re going to need more senior households for people who want to stay in the community and who are growing older.”
Kane said in a statement that the school reuse is an exciting time for Swampscott, citing plans to transform the old senior center into a municipal cultural center as another example of reinvigorating vacant buildings in town.
“Swampscott has spent a number of years discussing and pondering what to do with the various shuttered properties, but now’s our action phase to make those ideas a reality,” Kane said in a statement.
Gayla Cawley can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley.