Council reviews options for 43.5-acre Overbrook/Overlook campus after purchase

At its June 23 meeting the South Field Town Council heard a detailed presentation about the town's recent purchase of the campus at 60 West Lancaster Avenue, a site described in the meeting record alternately as Overlook and Overbrook Academy.

A town official addressed in the meeting as Mr. Southworth told the council the property comprises about 43.5 acres and that the main building covers roughly 87,000 square feet across three stories. He traced the campus's institutional history, saying it previously operated under names including Cabrini College and Mother of Divine Grace and that portions date from the 1940s and 1950s. "About approximately 43.5 acres of property were involved," he said, and described the main building as "around 87,000 square feet." These figures were presented as approximate and sourced to the town's initial condition review.

Why it matters: The site is large for the town and contains multiple buildings with aging systems. Council members and public commenters framed the purchase as an opportunity to consolidate municipal space, create programmatic uses for schools and recreation, or to lease parts of the campus to bring in revenue, but they also raised capital and accessibility concerns that affect near-term feasibility.

What the council heard: Mr. Southworth described current limited uses for the property, including K-9 and active-shooter training by local police departments, and storing municipal records. He said the campus has three boilers but only one is operational and that roofs and mechanical systems will require planning and replacement. "There are three boilers in there. Only one is operational now," he said. The town has commissioned Falcon Engineering to perform an energy study; Mr. Southworth said the draft is complete and the final report should follow in a few weeks. He also said the town is coordinating with the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank to explore loans, grants or other financing tied to energy or capital work.

Potential uses and budget signals: Mr. Southworth summarized a range of ideas submitted by residents and stakeholders: moving Town Hall offices to the campus, relocating school administration, hosting an alternative-learning program, creating a life-skills program for 18-to-22-year-old students, elder housing, recreation facilities, an indoor pool or fieldhouse, micro-retail and community spaces, and an accessible playground. He said there has already been informal interest from parties seeking long-term leases and that the town is considering whether partial leasing or sales would be appropriate. On cost ranges, a commercial real-estate source mentioned to the council provided a high-level rehabilitation estimate of about $250 per square foot for older buildings of this type; the figure was offered as an industry back-of-envelope planning number rather than a contract estimate.

Concerns and next steps: School committee chairman Mike Squires told the council the school committee is neutral at this stage, describing the discussion as brainstorming and noting the district's existing capital needs. He asked that the committee's ideas be put on the record and provided to staff. Public commenter Gary Du Coin said the acquisition "was a home run" from a fiscal perspective, while other speakers urged careful assessment of asbestos, accessibility, parking, and long-term maintenance costs. Mr. DeQuarto asked for clear, documented condition assessments to compare renovation costs across the town's portfolio.

Mr. Southworth said an oversight team (building official, IT director and DPW director) and outside architects would produce a needs assessment and schematic layouts; he also confirmed outreach to grant and loan sources, including the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank and potential USDA programs. He indicated some preliminary inquiries about leases could return formal proposals for the council as early as the July meeting.

The council did not take a formal vote on disposition at this meeting. Staff directed to finalize the energy study, complete a needs/conditions assessment and return to the council with potential lease proposals and clearer cost estimates. The council also indicated it will discuss any ordinance or procedural steps required before sale or long-term lease of municipal property.

What to watch: the final Falcon Engineering energy study, any formal lease proposals presented at the July meeting, and staff's needs/conditions assessment that should quantify renovation costs, identify accessibility and asbestos remediation needs, and outline likely funding sources.