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Date: 8/29/2022
GRANBY – A group of residents came to the Aug. 22 Selectboard meeting to speak in favor of acting on the currently vacant West Street School building.
By meeting’s end, the Selectboard decided to begin a search to form a West Street School study committee to identify the building’s strengths and weaknesses, and if it makes sense to renovate the building or tear it down and build a new building – or potentially two.
One resident, who served as a spokesperson for the group, said following the closure of the school in 2018 a study was done on the status of the building. That study recommended razing the building and building in two phases, a new official town office, and a new building space for the Council on Aging. She added the initial steps of this project were approved by the Selectboard members serving then and because of the coronavirus pandemic, plans were never fully acted on to move past the study.
The spokesperson for the residents also shared that the town has been paying approximately $23,000 in insurance yearly since the building was vacated, causing her and other residents to feel the need to establish a plan for the building. She requested the Selectboard revisit the old plans and find a use or complete and fulfill what was suggested in the past.
Selectboard Chair Glen Sexton said he was in favor of acting toward a plan for the vacant building but felt this was something that should be brought to town floor and have the input of the community.
“Let the town vote on what they want to do. Whatever happens, taking the structure down or refurbishing it, it will cost a great deal of money,” Sexton said. “It’s important for the town to understand costs. I don’t feel the Selectboard should sit here and make that decision for what the outcome should be for the building.”
Sexton added he remembers reading the past study on the building and felt whether the previous idea of building two new buildings on the property was stuck with, one new building or a new renovation project plan was decided on, either option would be expensive projects for the town.
One resident named Henry who identified as a contractor said he was given a tour of the school building to look for the structural soundness of the building. His takeaway was that the building is still in “pretty good shape,” alluding that a renovation plan should be considered.
While Henry acknowledged it would be a costly project either way the town decides to go with it, he felt the current state of the building could save some costs as opposed to tearing it down.
“It would be advantageous to try and repurpose the building as it sits now. The price point will be close I think but it would be tragic to tear down a usable and functional building,” he said.
Henry added that not only would a renovation of the building provide the necessary space needed for Town Office and a new Council on Aging office, but also for other potential uses.
The current square footage of the building would leave a remaining amount of space that could be utilized elsewhere, such as for commercial purposes or other office space in the future, according to Henry. He added he thinks the building has “tremendous potential,” and said a very early rough estimate approaches $10 million in funding.
Sexton responded saying he felt it is a town right to spend that kind of money on a project. He added that while Henry’s estimate was only a rough calculation slightly based on the former study, building costs have increased.
“To be fair, we need to get an assessment on what it’ll cost to do either-or. I agree it’s a great structure obviously,” Sexton said.
Sexton noted that while at face value the building seemed in good condition still, there was still an element of the unknown for potential problems within the foundation and walls of the building, such as plumbing and electrical issues. He added that it would make more sense from his perspective to build a whole new office building or buildings if it were in the same ballpark of costs as a renovation project, as it would give the town a reset on a building’s lifespan.
The Selectboard is now encouraging interested residents to reach out to the Selectboard office via phone or email for more information on the new committee being formed to study this building and identify a plan. Interested parties have until Sept. 19 to express interest as the Selectboard will bring this discussion back on their agenda on the same day.
Any finalized and approved plan will have to go through a Town Meeting vote.