TEMPLETON — A year ago, local officials were preparing to sell the old Baldwinville Elementary School, starting the process of seeking proposals for the building.
With the new Templeton Center Elementary School opening last fall, the echoes in the once vibrant school faded as the students moved on and teachers packed up their old classrooms.
Located in the Village district, numerous uses could be considered. Although a possible buyer interested in marijuana cultivation emerged at the location, the building remained vacant at the end of the year as selectmen sought to restart a search for a buyer.
It may again attract a marijuana cultivation business to the site where generations of town residents attended school. But the town will have to review proposals it receives, with a March 18 deadline for possible buyers to submit plans.
“We believe it will be successful,” Assistant Town Administrator Adam Lamontagne told selectmen recently. “We have received interest via phone calls.”
Selectmen moved to ensure a right-of-way to land as the board prepared the 16 School St. location for sale and included more land in the 1.47-acre site. The building has 23,527 square feet of space on three floors.
Town Administrator Carter Terenzini said the town would look at a number of factors, including job creation, when a five-member committee reviews proposals.
In the request for proposals, a formal search for buyers and possible uses, the Baldwinville Elementary School site is described as commercial property owned and operated by the town.
“The original building was destroyed in a fire Dec. 18, 1921. The building that now stands was built in 1923 at a cost of $97,000 and opened on Nov. 24, 1923, and has operated as a school ever since,” the town document said.
The town plans to work with any developer to preserve the architectural details of the building.
