the building's new daddy. They will invest about $4M and have a continued noble
use of the building. The building goes nowhere. It just keeps looking beautiful
on the common, but has a new name on the deed.
Remember, Framingham does NOT own it now, but would potentially own all the
rehab headaches if it is taken back. Between purchase and rehab, this would
cost Framingham the same millions. And for what end? Move the Tax Collectors'
Office there? I don't think so. We'd keep it for some hypothetical use and
never do the building justice. And who wants town offices on the common,
instead of a growing arts destination.?
I listened to the President of FSU and the Danforth Executive Director at the
Ways and Means meeting. This was an impassioned effort to impress with
financial commitment and use of the site.
This is a chance to have a fine arts museum right on the common, as opposed to
an unknown and potentially costly rehab project, from attempting to convert
this building to functional office space. We may need the office space, but not
there.
Also, understand that the clock is up on this decision. On October 18th(?) The
Danforth Board decides what to do. Either they have a building to house their
collection or it moves out of Framingham. Other sites in town had been
considered, but none were workable for them. They are out of time and money to
continue.
To be fair, there were some language adjustments requested to be added as an
amendment to the Purchase and Sales Agreement, which would make some folks more
comfortable in guaranteeing the future use of the building. I witnessed
determination by the drafters of the agreement, to make such adjustments, in an
attempt to demonstrate their commitment to make this deal work.
The decision to let FSU buy the property makes economic sense and is the right
decision for the community and building itself. Please, if you are a TMM then
vote to let FSU buy this property and if you are not a TMM then urge your TMM
to vote to let the sale go through.
The best way to KEEP this asset, is to let it be sold.
Stu Pologe
PCT 13 TMM
Member of the Standing Committee on Ways and Means