Prescott Reuse Committee To Redraft RFP for Use of Historic Building

The Prescott Reuse Committee reported to Selectmen at their July 1 meeting they would like to prepare a new RFP (Request for Proposals) to consider different options for use of the Prescott School on Main St. Chair of the Reuse Committee Halsey Platt told Selectmen there are a whole range of options for use of the building including businesses and office space. Town Manager Mark Haddad noted that an analysis for use of the school as a hotel revealed that there is no market to sustain hospitality use during off-season periods from October to April.

Chairman Platt said the Committee would like to redraft an RFP to include different options. Mr. Platt said the Committee has also communicated with the School Committee to determine what their plans are for school office space. Currently, the School District utilizes office space on the second floor for administrative uses including the Superintendent's office and the Assistant Superintendent's office and Business Manger's office.

Former School Committee member Berta Erickson who was at Selectmen's meeting noted that the District's new Technology Director will also be housed there. Platt said in his communication to the School Committee he inquired if the School District would be willing to rent space on the top floor at market rents.

He noted that if the School Committee did rent space there, they could act as an anchor tenant that could make the rest of the building more attractive to other business and office users.

Selectmen member Josh Degen asked about housing uses for the building and mixed use with some housing units and some business units. Degen said he believes the housing use should be revisited. Selectmen member Stuart Schulman said the fact there were no bidders on the first RFP made him more inclined to consider housing uses for the building.

Platt said that in a survey sent out to residents the Committee received 600 responses back which indicated no sentiment for using Prescott School for housing. Selectmen member Anna Eliot said she believes there is some interest among small businesses to be located on Main St. Eliot noted that some of the small business on Hollis St. would prefer to be on Main St.

Platt said the Committee is still in favor of finding uses that would prove economically viable for the community. Degen added he would not be adverse to using the building for community purposes. He noted that there were some suggestions of using the building for a senior center and he would also be open to revitalize a Recreation Department which could be housed there. Degen said he would welcome some sort of joint meeting between Selectmen and the Reuse Committee to discuss the use options before any new RFP is drafted.

Town Manger Mark Haddad said he would like the opportunity to work with the Committee in drafting a new RFP which would give Selectmen something more specific to work with before sending out a new proposal.