Cummings Properties donates temporary space for Woburn Public Library

Woburn-based commercial real estate firm Cummings Properties has agreed to donate temporary space for Woburn Public Library during its upcoming renovation.

Leasing Officer Steve Cusano worked with Library Director Andrea Bunker to create a plan and a timeline that would meet the library’s needs.

The library will move to a 6,100-square-foot space at 36 Cummings Park in mid-April, for a period of 20 months. This retail plaza is located off Washington Street and is home to several businesses. Cummings Properties is also donating the use of two additional suites for storage, totaling approximately 4,000 square feet, across the street at 800 West Cummings Park.

In his State of the City address last month, Woburn Mayor Scott Galvin estimated that “the city stands to save as much as $250,000 in rental costs” with this move. Other spaces were considered, but none that met the city’s size and budget needs.

“With a bank, several restaurants–including our latest addition, b.good, Turnstyle Cycle, and many other businesses at Cummings Park, we hope that library patrons will find this location convenient,” said Cusano.

The library renovation is scheduled for completion in fall 2018. It includes adding a 2.5-story wing to the national landmark.

Originally built in 1879, the library was designed by American architect Henry Hobson Richardson. Richardson’s architecture practice is the predecessor firm of Shepley Bulfinch, which designed the campus of University of Global Health Equity, currently under construction in Rwanda, with support from Cummings Foundation, an affiliate of Cummings Properties.

“Our firm has been part of the Woburn community for more than 45 years, and dozens of our colleagues make their homes here,” said Executive Vice President Eric Anderson. “We are a proud partner of the city, and we are delighted that we could find a way to accommodate the library and make the move less burdensome on the city.”

Cummings Properties is also a platinum sponsor of Woburn’s 375th anniversary celebration.

Cummings Properties’ 10 million square feet of prime space accommodates offices, healthcare facilities, labs, retail storefronts, warehouses, co-working spaces, executive suites, and more. With a portfolio of this size and variety, the firm can meet almost any commercial real estate need from 150 square feet to 300,000 square feet. Its in-house experts in design, construction, and property management offer “one-stop shopping” for leasing clients.