North Bennet Street School President, Miguel Gomez-Ibanez, spoke at this week’s meeting of the North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) to seek support for the school’s upcoming bid to expand into 128 North Street. A Request for Proposals is currently being drafted for the state-owned site along the Greenway.
The historic gold-domed building on the Greenway is on the corner of Cross Street with Georgian Revival architecture and approximately 6,500 square feet of interior space including the basement. It has served various purposes over the years, including an administration building for the Sumner Tunnel.
NBSS moved to the adjacent 150 North Street about a year ago into properties formerly used as the city’s printing plant and police station. One recent addition by NBSS to that property has been the city’s second largest solar panel array on the roof.
The NBSS President was asked about scholarships and was requested to provide such opportunities for North Enders. Mr. Gomez-Ibanez said that after years of training Eliot School students, he would like to see some of those students pursue such scholarships.
As a school, Mr. Gomez-Ibanez said NBSS would be at a financial disadvantage to other types of real estate developers. Similar to the situation at 150 North Street, community and political support could be important in the State’s decision making process.
The public planning meeting regarding the RFP for 128 North Street is set for October 8, 2014, 6pm at the Nazzaro Center. View more community happenings on the Events Calendar.
