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By Katrina Margolis
Hometown Weekly Reporter
The discussion over the future of the Medfield State Hospital area has been a long one. After presenting the community with four different options and collecting copious amounts of feedback, the Medfield Reuse Committee has created two scenarios, which were presented to the community on May 24. In addition to the presentation, the evening included a small group discussion, which asked members of the community to review the presentation and two scenarios and discuss how well the features of the future scenarios met the objectives established by the Select Board and the MSDMPC that appeared in the 2015 Town Reporter.
The timeline for having a final option is moving quite rapidly. The Committee hopes to have a master plan ready in November, which can be presented to the town at the Fall Town Meeting. Before that happens, however, feedback was offered on the two scenarios named Town Square and Rural Village. Each of the scenarios has much in common; many of the differences are nuanced after receiving feedback from the town that was overwhelmingly similar. Scenario 1, or Town Square, preserves the buildings surrounding the main campus quad as a ring of residential housing around a large central park. The chapel and infirmary buildings would be used as an arts center as well as commercial space and a daycare center. A new senior living facility would be sited on the western slope, offering views of the Charles River reserve. This scenario includes 42 units of affordable housing. It is estimated to cost $175 million.
Scenario 2, or Rural Village, preserves buildings of the main campus quad with a mix of residential and public uses. The chapel would be preserved, and a series of open spaces in the main quad would be activated by a café use, an arts center, artist live/work space, and office uses. The northern side of the site would be preserved for possible agricultural use, to best preserve the natural beauty of the open space. There would be 42 units of affordable housing, as well. Overall, this scenario would cost an estimated $208 million.
The event was well attended, and the feedback the committee receives will be used to create a master plan to present to the town in November.
