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Select Board asks town manager to weigh pros and cons of removing VFW building for Depot Park
Summary
After a presentation by the Depot Park Advisory Committee, the Bedford Select Board voted unanimously to ask the town manager to report back on the pros, cons and costs of demolishing the old VFW building and replacing it with park space versus keeping and repurposing the building.
The Bedford Select Board on July 8 voted 5–0 to ask the town manager and staff to prepare a pros-and-cons analysis comparing a proposal to remove the old VFW building at Depot Park and replace it with green space against retaining and repurposing the building for municipal uses.
Joe Panadoci, chair of the Depot Park Advisory Committee, told the board the committee’s preliminary concept would demolish the VFW structure to open sight lines to the Depot Building, create new green space, and add an interpretive sign honoring the volunteers who restored the site. Panadoci said the committee’s preliminary design-phase estimate is in the $50,000–$60,000 range and that demolition is roughly $15,000. “The building was incidental to this whole process,” Panadoci said, arguing the town bought a valuable parcel of land and that the structure itself is in disrepair and costly to renovate.
Several board members supported exploring the park option. “That green space in particular, I know that there's some interest in having some type of amenities there,” the town planning liaison said, noting Depot Park’s role as a gateway and the potential to make adjacent businesses more visible. The board discussed using a combination of private fundraising and the Depot Park revolving fund to pay for design work.
Other members urged caution. Select Board member Emily (last name not recorded in the transcript) urged the board to consider municipal space needs before removing an existing facility, saying the building could serve functions such as a food bank, community dinners or other municipal programs. “I think it would be foolish, knowing that we have inadequate physical space in town, to raze a building that could be extremely useful,” she said, noting the structure has sat unused and will require remediation if repurposed.
The motion passed as written: the manager was directed to produce a report that lays out pros and cons (including potential costs) of both the Depot Park proposal and the option to keep and develop the VFW building for town purposes. The board asked that the analysis include design and demolition cost estimates, potential funding sources, implications for other municipal space needs and opportunities for public input. The board will review the manager’s report and any proposed final approvals at a future meeting.
Next steps outlined by board members include staff cost estimates, concept designs from an architect, and a public meeting to gather resident feedback before final approval.
