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Council accepts $500,000 Housing Choice grant to cover Brown School demolition cost increase
Summary
Councilors accepted a $500,000 Housing Choice grant to close a funding gap after the Brown School gym demolition estimate rose to about $585,000; acceptance is contingent on using the funds for the existing scope, with any expansion to return to council for approval.
The Newburyport City Council voted to accept a $500,000 Housing Choice grant at its Feb. 9 meeting to cover an increased cost estimate for demolition work at the Brown School site.
Committee members said the demolition was mobilized and the scope proved larger than the initial $452,000 estimate, with the current estimate near $585,000. Planning staff told council the grant will close most of the gap and that the committee recommended acceptance with a condition: the funds be used only for the project’s existing scope. If the administration seeks to expand abatement or remediation beyond the current scope, the planning office will return to council — likely through budget channels — for explicit approval.
Councilors were told the project team expects remobilization to proceed immediately with demolition work already under way and an optimistic construction start for the broader redevelopment in spring 2027, subject to subsequent funding rounds. Planning staff noted the state’s selection process for the broader funding round remains competitive and that timing could affect the construction schedule.
The committee recommended the conditional acceptance 3–0; council approved the motion by voice vote. Council asked staff to track remaining funds and return with any plan to use excess grant money for additional abatement or scope changes.
