Norwood Seeking State Grant to Study Relocating DPW Garage from Town Center-September 26, 1985

The town is pursuing up to $25,000 in state grants to fund a feasibility study regarding moving the Department of Public Works garage and offices from their current location behind the Civic Center on Nahatan Street, potentially opening the prime downtown land for commercial development.

Evaluating Relocation and Commercial Potential

While the concept of relocating the DPW facilities—located on Lyman Place—was initially explored in the late 1960s, it was dropped after residents objected to alternative sites. However, amid recent downtown revitalization efforts including the renovation of the Civic Center and the presence of Carla’s Restaurant, Town Manager John J. Carroll noted that the property’s current use is no longer optimal.

“It seems obvious that considering its geography, the garage and offices are not the highest and best use of the property,” Carroll said. He emphasized that the financial viability of the move must be carefully weighed: “If it would cost $3 million to move the garage and we would only gain a small amount of taxes on the property if it were privately owned then obviously it’s not worth it.”

A previous property appraisal valued the site at $500,000, while moving costs were roughly estimated at $540,000 in 1984. Beyond commercial potential, Carroll noted that the existing facility suffers from operational shortcomings, including a need for modernization and significant shortages in storage, office, and workspace.

Grant Application and Potential Sites

The state grant funding would supplement a $5,000 appropriation approved by Town Meeting this spring, bringing total study resources to an estimated $10,000 to $30,000 depending on its scope. The public works yard study committee has scheduled a public hearing on the grant application for Tuesday night at Town Hall. Carroll expressed optimism regarding state backing, stating, “I think we got an indication that we going to get something from the state once make final application.”

Although the study will not select an exact new address, previous discussions led Carroll to outline seven alternative locations for selectmen to consider:

• Privately Owned Sites: The former American Biltrite land in South Norwood off Morse Street, Boston Gas Co. land on Dean Street, the Walukevich property on Route 1 across from Morse Street, and the Factory Mutual land on Factory Mutual Road.
• Town-Owned or Utility Sites: The Winter Street landfill, the Ellis pumping station on Route 1 across from Morse Street, and the Hennessey-Keohane field on Pleasant Street between Cross Street and Lenox Avenue.

Carroll noted reservations regarding Route 1 locations due to potential traffic safety hazards posed by heavy DPW trucks entering the congested highway, and expressed skepticism that Boston Gas or Factory Mutual would be willing to sell, though he maintained that exploring the options was worthwhile.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger