The state-approved expansion of Norwood Hospital onto the municipal Civic Center site faces its next official regulatory hurdle: a review by the zoning board of appeals. Building Inspector John E. Grover noted that the hospital will require a special permit from the zoning board before construction can proceed on the Civic Center parcel.
Despite the upcoming regulatory step, there is no immediate rush, as the purchase and sale agreement dictates that the town does not need to vacate the Civic Center until mid-1981. Hospital Administrator David P. Buchmueller pointed out that the hospital must formally take title to the property before applying for local permits. Under the terms of the agreement, the hospital takes ownership 90 days after receiving its state certificate of need for the expansion. Buchmueller stated that the hospital’s goal is to finalize the paperwork well within 90 days, at which point the hospital will hand over a check for $1,950,000 to complete the $2 million acquisition. The hospital previously provided a $50,000 down payment two years prior, alongside an additional $25,000 paid to the town for widening East Hoyle Street as incidental work related to closing Winter Street—the thoroughfares bounding the Civic Center site on opposite sides.
Buchmueller explained that the hospital will initially secure a bank loan to fulfill the town purchase before potentially financing both the debt and the first phase of on-site construction through a tax-exempt bond issue. Groundbreaking for the initial $3.5 million construction phase is scheduled for August 23, with completion anticipated by late 1980. This phase—focused primarily in the courtyard and Linden Street area of the existing hospital campus—will include an expanded emergency room, a new day surgery center, and upgraded radiology and nuclear medicine facilities.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Norwood Hospital Expansion Likely to Target Civic Center Site-July 13, 1976
The expansion aims to address the critical need for increased bed capacity, support services, and advanced medical units, as outlined by consulting firm Medicus Planning, Inc.
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Neighbors Ask Zoning Board to Approve Variances for Winter Street Condominium Project-September 2, 1987
In an unusual display of consensus, residents from the Winter Street area appeared before the Zoning Board of Appeal to urge approval of zoning variances allowing developer James Brolly to construct a 22-unit residential condominium complex just three feet from adjacent property lines, well short of the normally required 25-foot buffer zone. Neighborhood Compromise Over…
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McDonald’s Requests Special Permit for Broadway Drive-Through Window-September 2, 1987
An attorney representing the McDonald’s restaurant located at 32 Broadway in Norwood Center appeared before the Zoning Board of Appeal to request a special permit for the installation of a drive-through window. If approved, it would become the fourth drive-through facility established at local fast-food establishments following a contentious town meeting vote in May that…
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Owner of Norwood Site Says He Was Unaware of Gravel Removal-July 24, 1985
The Norwood Zoning Board of Appeals clashed with property owner Paul C. Balboni over unpermitted gravel excavation at a University Avenue site flagged by Building Inspector John Grover.
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Turnpike Lumber Yard Property Sold to Neighboring Supply Firm-June 24, 1983
The commercial expansion follows two destructive, suspected arson fires that completely leveled the historic lumber yard buildings last year.
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Norwood Briefs: Taxi Subsidy, East Hoyle Street Grant, Elks Parking, and Senior Activities-August 26, 1982
Norwood prepares to launch a taxi subsidy program for seniors and handicapped residents, receives a state grant to widen East Hoyle Street, and denies the Elks Club parking expansion.
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Star Market Withdraws Storage Permit Request Following Major Cardboard Warehouse Fire-July 29, 1981
Following a massive fire that took firefighters over 12 hours to extinguish, Star Market withdrew its permit request to store recycled cardboard at University Avenue.
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Zoning Board Approves Phase II of Norwood Hospital Expansion-June 24, 1981
A heated dispute erupts between board members and Building Inspector John E. Grover over a lack of formal advisory feedback on preliminary plans.
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Selectmen Demand Good Faith Deposit for Winslow School Sale-June 13, 1981
Board Votes 4-1 to Protect Town Interests Against Developer’s Office Condominium Project as blue Law Video Games Approved The Board of Selectmen have voted 4-1 to formally demand an $8,000 cash deposit from the prospective buyers of the former Winslow School to legally bind a proposed $325,500 real estate purchase. Town Counsel Justin C. Barton…
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Winslow Office Plan Gets Official Backing-June 9, 1981
Norwood officials clear the path to transform the closed Winslow School into professional office condominiums, winning broad neighborhood support.
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