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Committee holds disposition of 51 and 61 Seaver Street; asks administration for rental, zoning and cost reports
Summary
The Public Works Subcommittee deferred action on transferring two city‑owned former Becker College buildings at 51 and 61 Seaver Street for disposition. Members requested detailed reports on prior rentals, zoning, renovation cost estimates and options for relocating city departments before any RFP or sale.
Councilor George Russell recommended the committee hold the proposed transfer of 51 and 61 Seaver Street from the Department of Public Facilities to the city manager’s office for disposition, and the committee agreed to defer while staff prepares additional information.
City staff recounted the buildings’ history: the city acquired the properties in 2021 after Becker College closed. They were briefly leased as swing space to Worcester State and Clark University. Facilities staff reported substantial deferred maintenance, failed HVAC equipment (including failed attic air handlers at 61 Seaver Street) and code issues that would require significant renovation to change the buildings’ use groups from assembly (A3) to educational or office uses.
Facilities Director Jim Bedard told the committee that the two buildings together provide roughly 20 parking spaces (about 15 at one building and four to five at the other), a campus layout that is not well suited to full‑time office use without off‑site parking changes. That, combined with mechanical failure and code compliance needs, led staff to recommend disposition rather than costly renovations.
Economic development staff explained that the properties were acquired as part of a municipal strategy in 2021; the committee was told the acquisition total was $4,600,000 and a recent appraisal values the properties at $4,900,000. Staff recommended a request‑for‑proposals (RFP) process for disposition with a minimum bid price consistent with the appraisal. The city said it could include a lease‑back option for a limited period (six to 12 months) as an evaluation criterion to help transition city offices now using swing space there.
Councilors pressed for specific information before approving a disposition. The chairman issued a request that the administration provide a report detailing the rental agreements with Clark University and Worcester State (who leased the properties for short terms), the costs to hold the properties (utilities and maintenance), current zoning, the clerk’s impressions about archival storage plans, and options or timing for relocating the Office of Diversity and Equity and the Office of Sustainability, which are currently occupying swing space in 51 Seaver Street. Committee members also requested an off‑site site visit and a short special meeting to review the buildings in person.
The committee voted to hold the item pending the requested reports and an off‑site review. Staff said the administration will pursue an RFP approach if the council decides to proceed, and any final disposition would be coordinated with the law department and the city manager’s office.
