Arlington Eyes Spring Finish For Central School Renovations

ARLINGTON, MA — Renovations are underway at the Central School building in Arlington. Town Meeting appropriated over $8 million to develop a modern, expanded space on the ground and first floors, which will be dedicated to the Council on Aging, Arlington Senior Association and community events and activities. The Health and Human Services Department, including Veterans' Services, will also be relocated from Town Hall to renovated space on the second floor.

Work includes improving major building systems, including HVAC, electrical, restrooms and the building exterior. The building will also be fully accessible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The project is expected to be completed in late spring 2021.

Planning began in 2015 when the town created the Central School Feasibility Study Group and hired Sterling Associates Inc. Architects (SAIA) to conduct a feasibility study. The study group consisted of representatives from Health and Human Services, Arlington Redevelopment Board, Town Manager's Office, Arlington Senior Association, Council on Aging and the Capital Planning Committee.

The study reviewed existing building conditions, considering current and projected programming in the building, and provided general specifications, drawings and estimated construction cost. Public input and dialogue on the feasibility study was held over 2016 and 2017. In 2017, after two separate Requests for Proposals processes, the town hired Vertex as the Owner’s Project Manager (OPM), followed by SAIA as the architect to design plans addressed the issues identified by the feasibility study.

The Arlington Redevelopment Board maintains jurisdiction over the Central School property as part of its Urban Renewal Fund started in the 1980s. In 1981, the town oversaw a feasibility study of the Central School building concluding that the building was ideal for social service agencies and offices. In 1982, a Senior Center Committee reviewed many sites and concluded that the Central School would be the most appropriate location for its center. By 1984, the town designated the ARB as developer of the site.

Community Development Block Grant, State, and Town funds supported the $3 million substantial rehabilitation project. Upon completion of the project, the 19th Century structure was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and added to the Pleasant/Gray Street Historic District.

The building is located at 20 Academy Street/27 Maple Street.