Press Release: Review of Proposals for the Future of Machon School Underway

Closed and shut down in 2007, the Machon Elementary School in Swampscott may soon find new life. The Town has been working for over a year to turn the vacant property into an active part of the community. The Board of Selectmen voted this past December, after a couple of community forums and numerous discussions, to move forward with a potential sale or ground lease of the property through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process.

“This is an exciting time for Swampscott. The Town is now moving forward to reinvigorate its vacant buildings like the former senior center on Burrill Street which will become a new municipal cultural center,” stated Director of Community Development, Pete Kane. “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 reality.”

Proposals for the Machon School were due March 21. The RFP requested projects that would convert the property to serve as housing, educational, or community use. The school, originally built in 1920, had a single-story addition constructed on its northwest side in 1963. Respondents were encouraged to save the original 1920 building as well as consider senior and/or affordable housing for the property.

Two proposals for affordable senior housing were submitted to the Town for consideration. The Review Committee, made up of the Town Administrator, Director of Community Development, and two Selectmen, have begun analyzing the proposals and meeting with the respondents. As outlined in the RFP, the Review Committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen as to the preferred proposal. The Board of Selectmen will then make a provisional selection which will then be brought forward to Town Meeting in May for a final yes/no vote.

The Town Administrator Thomas Younger will give a presentation of the proposals at the Board of Selectmen meeting on April 6 in the Swampscott High School Room B208. The presentation will focus on providing an overview of the two proposals as well as outlining the process for selection going forward. Residents and neighbors who are interested in learning about the proposed projects should be sure to attend the Selectmen’s meeting or watch it on the Government Access Channel (Comcast Channel 16, Verizon Channel 41).

"The conversion of the long-vacant Machon School to an active use in our community is a priority,” said Tom Younger. “Along with the proposed lease of the former senior center as an arts facility, we’re committed to improving the livability of our town as well as no longer leaving these assets vacant and underutilized. I believe the town will be pleased with these efforts and will be pleased with the results."

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PDF icon Machon School RFP Proposal Fact Sheet276.41 KB