Attachments

20201118-151018-111820_Union_Primary_RFP_Press_Release.pdf

EAST PROVIDENCE — East Providence is once again seeking a Request for Proposal (RFP) on the former Union Primary School, which the city describes as “a prominent landmark of the community” located at 1320 Pawtucket Ave.

The RFP (see attachment) suggests the building could be used to house “an office, medical facility, school, art studio or daycare center.”

It seeks the following from respondents: a “Development Concept,” including re-use option, interior/exterior alterations, benefits to the city and neighborhood impact; a “Project Team,” describing the background and experience of those people to be involved; the proposed project’s “Financial Feasibility & Legal Structure,” a preliminary budgetary outline showing how any proposal might be funded and how it can be a viable endeavor.

Interested parties, the RFP reads, are urged submit their proposal no later than Friday, Dec. 18, at 11 a.m.

Union Primary has sat idle for the better part of three decades since it closed when elementary schools in Rumford were consolidated into one with the construction of the new Myron J. Francis School in 1989, which replaced the old Wilson/Roger Williams School complex at the same Bourne Avenue location.

The Union property, like the former Carl T. Thompson School on Ferris Avenue, were subsequently bequeathed back to the city from the school district.

Unlike Union, which at times has been used by the city and outside groups, Thompson has thriven.

The private Wolf School bought the building in 1999 and has done several modernizing renovations to it. And The Wolf School just recently purchased from the city another small section of property, abutting the Kimberly Rock Athletic Complex.

According to city records, the 7,530 square foot Union Primary building was constructed in 1900. This present attempt by an administration to sell or occupy it will be the third try in the last five years.

In 2016, the then fledgling East Providence Arts Council considered leasing the property, but deemed the cost of bringing the historic structure up to current health and safety codes too much for the group, according to chairman Rick Lawson. The building, as remains the case, likely needs a new heating system among other upgrades.

In 2017, Community Development Director David Bachrach, who still holds his position, and former City Manager Tim Chapman approached the then seated council to conduct another RFP.

According to a presentation made by Mr. Bachrach at the time, between 1991 and 1992 the city invested $196,794 of its Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to make improvements to the building so that it could be used as a senior meals site and community center to benefit moderate to low income families.

In the late 90’s the senior meals site and community center closed. The building has since been dormant. The last improvement made to the structure by the city was replacing the roof. Mr. Bachrach said in 2016 the value for the property was $525,000 established by an appraisal that year.

The most recent appraisal made by Vision Government Solutions for Fiscal Year 2018-19 values the entire one acre parcel at $485,700. That figure includes the building proper at $264,600 and $192,600 for the land. In addition, the 19,000 square foot parking lot is valued at $28,500.