What’s the Future of Vacant Concord School Buildings?

During the next two weeks, a consultant hired by the to analyze the future of five school buildings will begin to present potential develop and usage plans to community members.

, of Castagna Consulting Group, LLC, has been spending the past few months meeting with stakeholders in the community, abutters and concerned taxpayers, as well as developers and business leaders, to come up with some ideas on what can be done with the schools. Four of the five schools – Dame, Eastman, Rumford, and Walker – are scheduled to be empty after three new elementary schools – , , and – open for business in September.

Another school, Dewey, is currently being used at the Concord School District office. However, it is also a part of the study process.

Here is the schedule for the meetings:

Jan. 11:

Jan. 12:

Jan. 17:

Jan. 18:

Jan. 19:

In previous meetings in 2011, Castagna heard varying ideas from community members. Some attendees, like those at Dame and Eastman, desired new community centers.

Residents around Rumford School also expressed interest in a semi-public use for the building.

Others, like the residents around Walker, thought some sort of artist colony or high-end housing might be options. A basement soup kitchen was also proposed for the site.

Consensus around Dewey School said the current use is probably best, although high-end housing might also be an option. One resident even suggested creating a high-end hotel like the Centennial Inn at the site.

City officials have expressed interest in the Dame building for a community center.

Castagna told residents in the Eastman neighborhood that there was a developer who might be interested in building senior housing at the site.