In Support of the Ames Schoolhouse Municipal Campus

On May 19, Town Meeting will vote on whether to purchase the Ames Schoolhouse building as the first major step in developing a municipal campus in Dedham Square.  For the town to own over 3 acres in the heart of our town center and have complete control over this property presents a unique and timely opportunity which Dedham Square Circle enthusiastically supports.

Every taxpayer in Dedham has a vested interest in the future of Dedham Square. A healthy and vibrant downtown helps protect our property values and enhances the quality of life for all residents.  It’s an important part of our tax base, employs dozens of residents, and is a significant factor in attracting new residents and new businesses.

Professional town planners recommend the consolidation of municipal services as a smart use of a town's resources. A municipal campus would provide Dedham Square with a long-term economic anchor and would be a catalyst for future redevelopment of underutilized properties.  Additional public investment in the Square will give private developers an added level of confidence and will convey that Dedham Square is economically strong and a safe investment.

Through the Dedham Square Improvement Project, the town recently invested over $6M in infrastructure improvements which laid an important foundation for the Square’s  future growth and long term viability.  Now is the time to take the next  step to ensure the Square continues to grow and thrive.  A new campus would keep the Square the main hub of civic activity that it has been and should be.  It provides yet another reason to bring people to our downtown, generating more foot traffic for the small businesses.

Reuse of the 116 year old Ames Schoolhouse building would also preserve an important part of our town’s rich history.  Longtime residents continue to express regret over the loss of the beautiful train station and Memorial Hall.  We now have an opportunity to create a meaningful and important legacy for future generations.  Turning the building into a senior center and town hall would return this valuable asset and beloved landmark back to the people of Dedham and pay homage to the building’s original purpose. 

While the current tenants in the Ames Schoolhouse will be displaced, Dedham Square Circle is committed to working with the town to keep as many of these small businesses as possible in the Square or in close proximity.  They are an important facet of our local economy and we value what they bring to the Square and the town.

I urge town meeting members to vote in support of the purchase of the Ames Schoolhouse.   We must seize this opportunity to create a positive, long-term impact on the Square - and the town overall. 

Amy Haelsen

Executive Director

Dedham Square Circle