Walden Behavioral Care Drops Plan For Marist Property

The following is a press release issued today, Oct. 9:

Walden Behavioral Care, LLC; Walden Center for Education and Research, Inc. and The Marist Fathers of Boston announced that they have allowed an agreement for Walden to acquire the former Marist Retreat Center, 518 Pleasant St., to expire.

The Marists will re-market the Retreat Center to a range of potential buyers, and proceeds from the transaction will be used to support the well-being of retired members of the Marist Order.

Walden is moving on to respect the wishes of Marists to put the property back on the market, according to Walden Center CEO Stuart Koman.

“Walden’s mission of healing seemed like a close match to the retreat house’s original mission of spiritual renewal. It is a pity the community will lose having this world-class healthcare facility in its midst, together with the additional jobs and tax revenue,” said Marist Father John Harhager. “The project would have delivered these benefits while preserving historic buildings, open space and natural features, and minimizing traffic and other community impacts, to a degree that may not be possible for a different purchaser of the Retreat Center.”

Walden Behavioral Care initially announced a purchase and sale agreement with The Marist Fathers of Boston in May 2013. After a series of public hearings, Walden reviewed its plans with the Framingham ZBA and agreed to a variety of conditions recommended by the ZBA and local residents.

The ZBA vote was 2-1 in favor of the project, but unanimous support was needed to obtain a special permit. While Walden Behavioral Care appealed that decision in the Land Court, Walden Center, a separate non-profit organization, filed a request with the Framingham Building Commissioner for Dover Amendment protection for a separate project, which placed greater emphasis on education.

Dover Amendment protection was granted in March 2014, a decision the Zoning Board of Appeals upheld in June 2014. The Framingham Planning Board also approved the educational program in June 2014. A small group of neighbors, opposed to Walden’s proposed use of the Marist property, filed suit in the Land Court challenging the educational program.

“We believe we would have ultimately prevailed in both court cases and would have been an important asset for the town,” Koman said. “We end our efforts to locate in Framingham with regret, but we will continue to provide treatment services for the Framingham community through our Waltham facility and continue our outreach on eating disorders education to Framingham schools.”