Learn about Walden Treatment Center, HQ Move at June Meeting

Walden Behavioral Care scheduled a public meeting for June 11 for Framingham residents to learn about Walden’s plans to move to the former Marist property, ask questions and voice concerns with or support for its plan to open an 80-bed treatment center in Framingham and move operations to Framingham from Waltham.

Framingham Patch broke the news of the proposed treatment center for the former Marist brothers property at the beginning of May.

Walden has signed a purchase-and-sale agreement to purchase the property from The Marist Fathers of Boston, pending approval of its plans and approval of a special permit from the Framingham Zoning Board of Appeals. 

The Zoning Board of Appeals will discuss Walden’s request for a special permit when it meets on June 18.

Walden Behavioral Care held a public meeting earlier this month to discuss its plans at the Aegean Restaurant and it was standing room only.

The public meeting is June 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Plymouth Church Parish Hall, 87 Edgell Rd.

“This is our second public meeting and we have been holding discussions with local neighborhood groups, school representatives and other leaders of the Town of Framingham,” said Walden President and CEO Stuart Koman.  “The feedback we have received has been very helpful and productive. We want to report what we’ve learned and continue our discussions with Framingham residents.”

Pending approval, Walden plans to convert the former Marist Center to its corporate headquarters, with a total of 80 beds for treating patients with eating disorders, obesity related issues and mood disorders.

The main building, currently known as Marist House, will be renovated to house 24 beds for patients with eating disorders and 24 beds for patients with mood disorders, as well as offices for 20 Walden staff. 

The adjacent building, Bishop’s Hall, will be renovated and converted to offices for 10 employees.

Phase I of new construction will include a 16-bed, 12,000-square-foot residential facility to treat adults who are obese or have a binge eating disorder, and a 16-bed, 12,000-square-foot facility for adolescents with eating disorders. 

Phase II will include construction of a 10,000-square-foot building for program offices, and intake and aftercare services.

Walden plans to renovate the two existing buildings on the property in 2015 and add new buildings in 2016.

Believing that a campus setting with a pond and wooded areas will be conducive to recovery, Walden plans to maintain a natural setting with a significant amount of open space at the site.  The Walden site will generate a low traffic count and patients will be cared for discreetly, with virtually no interference with the neighborhood,  said Koman in a press statement.

Walden said its planned move will help the local economy, as it will pay taxes with little added burden on town services. In addition, Walden will add 25 new jobs and its projected 136 employees on the site will spend money at local businesses, said a press release from its public relations firm.

“There is also a need for our services in Framingham,” Koman said.  “Eating disorders affect 5% of the population, while mood disorders affect 9.5% of the population. That means thousands of Framingham residents may have a need for our services.”