POR 2023 #178 : That the City Manager is requested to reaffirm the city’s commitment to

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105 Windsor Street has stood vacant for multiple decades but the city made a historic commitment to The Port neighborhood in the summer of 2022 when $4.5 million was appropriated to fund the design and renovation of this historic structure with the city promising “a pretty complete community process associated with this building, engaging the community, looking at various options, and then obviously we need to come back to the City Council”; and

In 2023, the city manager proceeded with a new survey and study of vacant parcels in and around Central Square, covering 10 lots including the schoolhouse at 105 Windsor Street; and

While this study is long overdue, very welcome, and the big picture scope is useful in many respects to ensure the needs of Central Square are truly met as we move forward with utilizing these parcels, there is concern that the tremendous scope of this study could distract from and drown out the city’s promise to prioritize activation of the parcel at 105 Windsor Street, as well as the ability to conduct the kind of intentional, inclusive community process around the building that many in the neighborhood have envisioned for years; and

105 Windsor has a long history of community-oriented uses and the future of the site is of extreme importance to residents of The Port, including residents of Newtowne Court and Washington Elms located right across the street, making this a matter of racial and economic justice; and

It seems important to clarify for the Port neighborhood whether the city remains committed to renovating 105 Windsor Street as a top priority in 2024, following the completion of the lots study; now therefore be it

That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to reaffirm the city’s commitment to renovating the schoolhouse at 105 Windsor Street as a top priority following the completion of the Central Square lots study; and be it further

That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to outline and execute on an intentional community process specifically focused on the future of 105 Windsor Street, including (but not limited to) a series of community meetings specific to this building that seek to engage all residents of the neighborhood in an effort to build consensus; and be it further

That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back on this matter by October 30, 2023.