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BGS seeks authority to sell two Baldwin Street properties and retain easement for peace garden
Summary
Buildings and General Services asked the committee for authority to sell 10 and 12 Baldwin Street in the State House complex, citing high operating costs and low current utilization; BGS proposed preserving a state‑maintained easement for a nearby peace garden and said prior sales activity (9 Baldwin) returned above‑estimate proceeds.
Buildings and General Services asked the Institutions Committee for legislative authority to sell two houses on Baldwin Street (10 and 12 Baldwin) that sit adjacent to the State House complex. The agency said the properties are expensive to operate, underused by state tenants given telework, and could yield ongoing savings if sold.
BGS staff said the properties have low utilization rates (the presentation used utilization averages) and that renting and operating costs are high. The agency estimated an overall savings of about $111,000 annually if the occupants can be moved into other state space and the properties sold. The department noted it recently entered a purchase and sale for 9 Baldwin at $430,000 — above the market estimate — and said market interest exists for Baldwin Street properties.
BGS asked the committee to permit sales either separately or together and to include a directive preserving a state‑maintained easement to continue stewardship of a peace garden between the properties. The department said any future buyers would remain subject to the capital complex’s review process for exterior changes and that the capital commission has worked cooperatively with private owners on renovations.
The committee did not vote on the request; staff asked the agency to prepare specific property and parcel identifiers and draft language (typically included in the capital bill's property‑transactions section) so the committee can consider authority in the session.
