Winthrop Council Holds Special Session on Vacant Middle School With No Resolution

WINTHROP — January 14, 2025 — Winthrop Town Council spent 80 minutes at a special January 14 session debating the future of the former middle school site with no resolution after nine years of vacancy. Council President Jim Letary catalogued a long history of stalled proposals — a boutique hotel, biotech incubator space, a sports complex, 65-unit residential conversion, and a performing arts venue — before councilors each staked out priorities ranging from immediate demolition to a long-term community center with a pool and auditorium. Town Manager Anthony Simonelli presented a legal memo concluding the site is not subject to Article 97 conservation restrictions, consistent with a prior KP Law opinion, clearing a procedural hurdle but leaving the policy question unresolved. Demolition of the school and auditorium alone would cost an estimated $1.6 million to $1.7 million, including asbestos remediation, while the annual carrying cost of the vacant structures runs approximately $70,000. A firehouse at the middle school site would cost roughly $4.5 million more than the competing Walden Street basketball court location due to underground infrastructure issues. No formal votes were taken and no public comment was accepted at the special meeting.