Town Reviewing Machon School Proposals

Swampscott, MA - Town officials are currently reviewing proposals for the future use of the Machon School.

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 request for proposals, 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 Machon School was closed and shut down in 2007. 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.”

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.

"The conversion of the long-vacant Machon School to an active use in our community is a priority,” said 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."

A fact sheet summarizing the proposals is available here. >>>