In regards to reuse of the Brown School building, we have been in conversations with our new Superintendent, Susan Viccaro, and we are looking at a new option. The Kelley Youth Center building is in rough shape. We recently learned that the bricks of this 1880 building were never repointed, and water infiltration is a major concern. The estimate to repoint the bricks is $350,000, which would then trigger the need for full ADA compliance - an elevator and a new fire suppression system. Such a project would come at a much higher cost than the original estimate of the tuck-pointing. As a result of this massive cost, one option being discussed is to sell the Kelley School building, with the hopes of a façade restriction to maintain the look of the original school. In turn, we would move Newburyport Youth Services to the Brown School building. We would also be able to relocate the Superintendent’s Office and Central Office staff to the Brown School, while using additional space for Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Speech Therapy offices. The new Brown School playground would remain permanently, and we may also be able to add the 6-year-old playground structure currently at the Bresnahan as well. We would also not have to relocate Lydia’s beautiful amphitheater at the Brown School. Parking would need to be addressed, as well as transporting children from the Nock Middle School and Molin Upper Elementary School to afterschool programs. However this scenario presents many positives and leads to the continued use of the Brown School by our city’s children.
Posted on: Thu, 05 Sep 2013 16:25:30 +0000
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