Subcommittee backs city manager’s plan to declare 51 and 61 Seaver Street available for disposition amid public interest

The Worcester Public Works Subcommittee voted to recommend that the City Council allow the city manager to pursue disposition of two city-owned properties at 51 and 61 Seaver Street, with the subcommittee forwarding an order authorizing conveyance for disposition purposes.

Facilities Director Jim Bedard told the subcommittee that 61 Seaver Street is vacant and that two groups occupying 51 Seaver together use roughly 11,000 square feet and about 13–14 city employees. Bedard estimated that maintaining 51 Seaver cost about $170,000 in the current fiscal year; he said 61 Seaver is vacant and that the city is paying utilities for the property.

During public comment, Ward 4 School Committee member Sue Mailman and representatives of the Nativity School — parent Esther Faith Tendo and principal Andrea Muner — urged the committee to consider school reuse. Muner said Nativity has been seeking more space since 2022 and described the school’s growth from about 60 to nearly 100 students; she said Nativity does not use school buses and would not bring bus traffic to the neighborhood. Esther Faith Tendo said Nativity has funds available to renovate and wants a chance to secure the site.

Council members expressed differing views. Councilor George Russell said he would not support declaring the property for disposition because he was not convinced the city had exhausted its own uses and worried the city would lose a public asset. Councilor Candi Merrill Carlson and Councilor Pacillo voted to recommend the disposition order; the roll call recorded Carlson: Yes, Pacillo: Yes, Russell: No. The motion therefore passed to forward the disposition recommendation to the full City Council.

Why it matters: the properties have been under city ownership for several years and carry maintenance costs; residents and charitable school operators are interested in reuse, and the subcommittee’s recommendation clears the way for the city manager to solicit buyers or proposals for redevelopment.

Clarifying details recorded at the meeting included:
- 61 Seaver Street: vacant.
- 51 Seaver Street: roughly half of the 20,000-square-foot building occupied by two groups (estimated ~11,000 sq ft) and about 13–14 city employees, per facilities manager Jim Bedard.
- Bedard said 51’s operating cost this fiscal year is approximately $170,000; his stated figure for 61’s current-year utilities was unclear in the record and described during the meeting as “about $1.40” (the transcript was ambiguous on that point).
- Superintendent testimony to the School Committee the night before estimated about $6 million would be required to upgrade one building to school standards; subcommittee members said cost estimates vary and requested more information.

Discussion vs. decision: the meeting included informational remarks (facility occupancy, maintenance costs) and public comment urging school or nonprofit reuse; the formal action was the subcommittee’s recommendation to the full council to proceed with disposition processes.

Next steps: the recommendation will be transmitted to the full City Council. Committee members asked the city manager and DPW to clarify timelines, provide any outstanding facility condition assessments, and describe potential relocation plans for staff currently housed in 51 Seaver.