Brookline Still Eyes Newbury College Property, Possible Deal

BROOKLINE, MA — The town could buy part of the Newbury College campus after all, if they act quick, according to a memo the Town Administrator sent to the Select Board last week.

"Time is of the essence, and we would like to get moving on the evaluation of the Town’s use of the west side of the campus for a public education use," wrote Mel Kleckner on behalf of the Select Board's Newbury College Acquisition Advisory Committee.

At the Annual Town Meeting in May, the Select Board announced that it didn't win the bid to buy the nearly 8 acres of college property on Fisher Hill. Still there was some hope. The Select Board told Town Meeting members the deal between the college and the highest bidder was not yet finalized and town officials were looking into other possible ways to acquire the property.

A number of Town Meeting members and residents expressed hope that the property, which came on the market this spring, could help ease crowding concerns at Brookline Public Schools. Others pointed out the property is within a couple of blocks from the Runkle School. Others said they'd like to see a town outdoor swimming pool on the property. Still others said it could be used for Department of Public Works. Although no one seemed to be able to agree on what it could be used for, they did seem to agree it was worth purchasing.

Then, earlier this month the unnamed national real estate developer who won the bid to purchase the property approached the town and offered it the opportunity to purchase the west side of Newbury’s campus, according to a memo sent from Kleckner to the Select Board dated July 18.

Kleckner said the board’s Newbury College Acquisition Advisory Committee would shortly recommend that the Select Board act to establish a development review process similar to those successfully implemented for other large projects, including the Brookline Place, Red Cab and Waldo-Durgin properties.

The process would have to include the recommendation of re-zoning proposals and the negotiation of a development agreement, complete with mitigation and other considerations, all subject to Town Meeting approval.

The difference between the Newbury project and others is the possibility of significant land acquisition by the Town, said Kleckner.

"As a result, we recommend that the Town do advanced due diligence on issues related to the Town’s acquisition of the west campus," he wrote.

Because the developer and Newbury College have not finalized their land transaction yet, Kleckner said the committee was unable to publicly reveal their identity or details of their proposed use of the property.

The committee is requesting a Reserve Fund Transfer from the Advisory Committee in the amount of $50,000 for a feasibility study associated with developing a public school facility on the site. The Town seeks the services of an architectural firm to support this evaluation. That recommendation is on the next select board agenda.

Some residents worry that without a consensus on what exactly to use the property for, the town could waste money and be mired in debate for years before they're able to put the property to good use.

Read more:

Brookline Town Meeting Vote On Newbury College

Also RELATED:

• Brookline To Consider Buying Newbury College Property
• Brookline Eyes Newbury Land After College Closure
• Brookline's Newbury College To Close, Cites Financial Issues
• Brookline Town Meeting Tuesday, What's On Tap? Newbury College
• Newbury College Is Asking $40 Million: See the property listing

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).