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Politics & Government

Uncertain Future for Greenwood School

The historical significance of this still empty building is up for debate in the upcoming Town Meeting.

The inability of the town to sell the Greenwood School Property has resulted in a proposal to allow demolition of the building’s historical, 1895 portion.

By lifting the existing protections for that part of the building, selectmen want to promote the property’s development.

The wants to preserve restrictions on development to protect the historical part of the vacant building.

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The existing development plan, including the historical restrictions, was approved by the Town Building Study Committee, the Oversight Committee, and by a vote at Town Meeting, two years ago

The attempt to remove the restrictions is included in Warrant Article 9 and up for vote at Town Meeting, May 2 at 7:15 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

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The article needs a 2/3 majority vote for approval.

Specifically, it proposes that “all references to preservation of the 1895 building or portion of the building may be deleted such that the 1895 building may be demolished.”

Deleting the language would pave the way for demolition of the former middle school, including interior architectural pieces, such as moldings.

A similar article was voted down at last year’s Town Meeting.

At their meeting this week the Swampscott Historical Commission defended the current development proposal offered to potential buyers of the Greenwood School property.

Commission members said that the restrictive language has little to do with the property’s failure to sell. Rather, the dismal economy and sluggish housing market play the biggest role.

The Commission discussed what specifically it is about the property that should be maintained in upcoming development.

They concluded that the Greenwood School should be developed to maintain the façade, and the cupola.

 The Commission also expressed concern for the effect of open-ended development on the surrounding residential neighborhood.

Commission member Sylvia Belkin pointed to surrounding communities, each which has successfully developed old school buildings by both preserving the façade and the utility of their structure.

Selectwoman Jill Sullivan acknowledges the “historical significance” of the Greenwood School. Developers with expertise in developing older properties have looked over the school, she says. 

And the Selectmen have “heard from the development community that [Greenwood School] is really tough.”  

They say design restrictions make the property tough to develop in a profitable manner, making the property harder to sell and less profitable for the town, she said.

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