North Andover Gets $66K State Grant For Senior Center Reuse Planning

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — The Town of North Andover received a $66,560 state grant Wednesday to be used for examining the next steps for the soon-to-be-vacant Senior Center.

The funding is part of the Housing Choice Grant Program, and North Andover was one of 36 projects to receive a total of $3.9 million in funds.

Gov. Charlie Baker and other political leaders held a press conference in Medway on Wednesday to celebrate this round of funding.

The Housing Choice Grant Program, according to a release from the administration of Baker and Lt. Gov Karyn Polito, funds planning and infrastructure projects that support housing or economic development.

"Municipal leaders understand how crucial thoughtful planning is for growing communities and changing needs, and today's awards will help them undertake a variety of planning and small infrastructure projects to set them up for long-term success," Baker said.

With North Andover's new Senior Center scheduled to open in March or April at Sutton Street and Surrey Drive, the Town will be deciding on the next steps for the current Senior Center site, at 120 Main St. adjacent to Town Hall.

Andrew Shapiro, North Andover's assistant town manager and director of community and economic development, told Patch that there have been no formal proposals for the current Senior Center building or site.

But Shapiro said the grant will help move the project along.

"This grant will be used to hire an architect/consultant that will review existing plans and building systems, interview stakeholders to better understand the town's needs in terms of staffing placement and coordination, and develop plans and cost estimates for reuse options," Shapiro said.

Shapiro said the Town already has identified Salem-based Winter Street Architects for the project and will be getting under contract with the firm soon.