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Date: 9/29/2021
WHATELY – The Whately Center School served the town’s children and governing committees for 108 years, but has been closed since 2018, with no upkeep. Now the Selectboard wants to learn the uses the historic building may serve in the future.
“In order for the municipality to sell or lease the property it needs to solicit requests for proposals,” said Town Administrator Brian Domina. “Prior to that would be a request for letters of interest, and that’s to give the town and Selectboard an idea of what the community sees for the building.”
Town Hall has yet to receive a letter of interest. Those letters are due by Oct. 25. The letters, Domina said, will help the Selectboard better shape the Request for Proposals.
A walk-through of the property at 218 Chestnut Plain Rd. took place on Sept. 20. According to Domina, six to eight parties showed up to scope out the fading red brick structure crowned by a rusty cupola. Uses of the building, or the possible projects of the parties, were not discussed.
The building needs a lot of work. Replacement of the plumbing, electrical and other systems will be necessary.
“It’s an older building and it has many of the issues buildings of that age have. It’s 111 years old,” Domina said.
Figuring out what next to do with the building has been a lengthy process. A 53-page report was generated by the Center School Visioning Committee, summarizing the history of the school and its place in the Whately Center National Register District. The committee concluded that demolishing the structure was not a good option, since grants and tax credits will accrue to the town if the old school remains in use. Demolition, and dealing with possible hazardous material abatement, may run $100,000.
Results of a survey of residents suggested a variety of acceptable uses. According to the committee’s report, almost half of residents who responded, 48 percent, want the Center School to become a café or restaurant. More residents also preferred using the building as maker spaces for artists, a community center, two to four residential units, or demolishing the structure and turning the land into a park.
Nothing will happen soon. Domina explained that letters of interest will be opened by the Selectboard and analyzed at a future meeting. The board, informed by the letters of interest, will then put out a call for Requests for Proposals (RFPs) which are actionable. That process won’t happen until early next year.
“We haven’t discussed that yet,” Domina said. “I would guess [that will happen] in the spring.”