LYNN — The city is once again seeking developers to transform the former Thurgood Marshall Middle School into affordable senior housing.
In mid-May, the city released a Request for Proposals (RFF) for the vacant and dilapidated building at 19 Porter St. It is the third RFP that has been issued for the property. The past two attempts to sell the building were unsuccessful.
Through this bidding process, the city is seeking a developer to purchase and redevelop the property into affordable senior housing for those ages 55 and up. The RFP does not put a limit on the number of units, only saying that the development must comply with local zoning requirements.
Unlike the first RFP, which sought a minimum sales price of $4 million, this particular document does not set a minimum bid requirement. However, a potential bidder would receive a higher grade on evaluation criteria for closing quickly on the property, according to the document.
While the city only received two bids for its last RFP — which were ultimately rejected as non-responsive due to developers stating they needed several years to obtain the necessary financing to purchase the property — six potential bidders have already requested a copy of the latest document, according to Assistant City Solicitor James Lamanna.
“I do not foresee any bid received being rejected as being non-responsive this go around,” said Lamanna. “Whether the Lynn School Committee and City Council find any bid worthwhile and acceptable remains to be seen.”
Built in 1923 and vacant since 2016, the former school building has drawn the ire of city officials in recent years, as it has been the site of multiple fires and is often targeted for vandalism. The cost to remove asbestos presents another challenge for potential developers.
For example, the city received a bid for $4 million for its first RFP, but as a condition of the bid, the city would have incurred the cost of demolition, which was estimated at more than $2 million at the time.
Following an asbestos abatement study of the property, the estimated cost of demolition increased to between $8-10 million, which forced the city to reject the bid, Lamanna said.
“(The) $4 million bid was not truly $4 million if we needed to spend $2 million to have the sale occur,” said Lamanna.
The sale of the property has also been held up in recent months due to an ongoing debate between the city and School Committee, the latter of which has traditionally wanted to retain ownership in order to bank the land for a potential new school. However, the city has wanted to obtain the land to meet what officials say is a need for affordable senior housing.
The City Council, its RFP subcommittee, and the School Committee have ultimately agreed to work together on this particular RFP, which absolves the city of all responsibility for any potential hazardous material at the 152,554 square-foot property.
Proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope or package to the city’s Purchasing Department, Room 205 at 3 City Hall Square before 11 a.m. on Monday, July 12.
Any proposals must be approved by the City Council and School Committee, both of which have the right to reject any and all proposals for any reason.
