Brookline School Uses Tax Exempt Bond To Add Art & Science Wing

BROOKLINE, MA — MassDevelopment has issued a $36 million tax-exempt bond on behalf of The Park School, a nonprofit, coeducational day school in Brookline for grades pre-K through eight, to fund several capital projects on its campus at 171 Goddard Ave.

Improvements to the campus will include renovating an existing building to create space for an art and science wing, building an outdoor turf athletic field and a ropes course, and adding a new elevator in its main building. The school will also use bond proceeds to make roof repairs and replace skylights to various facilities and install a new sprinkler system on its campus.

Construction on these projects began in March 2022 and is expected to be complete in January 2024. Eastern Bank purchased the bond, which will also be used to refinance previously issued debt.

“Massachusetts is fortunate to have a world-class educational ecosystem that provides the next generation of our workforce with positive and immersive learning environments,” Mike Kennealy, Housing and Economic Development Secretary and chair of MassDevelopment’s Board of Directors, said in a statement. “MassDevelopment offers flexible financing options to institutions seeking to modernize campus infrastructure and undertake capital projects of all sizes."

Founded in 1888, The Park School is located on a 34-acre campus in Brookline. The school enrolls approximately 560 students annually from more than 30 Massachusetts cities and towns, with the majority coming from communities in Boston, Brookline, and Newton.

MassDevelopment has previously supported The Park School with tax-exempt and bank loan financing in 2007 and 2012 to finance or refinance numerous capital projects, including the construction, renovation, expansion, and equipping of facilities on the school campus.

“We are incredibly grateful to MassDevelopment for their support of The Park School,” said The Park School Head of School Scott Young. “These bonds have enabled us to launch and complete a critical set of transformative projects that will enhance our buildings, our campus, and our curricular and co-curricular programs. Inside, new art and science spaces will provide cutting edge and light-filled spaces supporting the arts and academics, and outdoors, our new turf field will support recess, physical education, and competitive athletics. Together, these projects will further Park’s ability to deliver our whole child mission.”

MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank, works with businesses, nonprofits, banks, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2022, MassDevelopment financed or managed 356 projects generating investment of more than $1.69 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are estimated to create or support 11,080 jobs and build or preserve 1,778 housing units.