The Natick community envisions possible uses for the former Johnson Elementary School property ranging from a new community center to a park featuring a splash pad. But given the millions or perhaps tens of millions of dollars that could be needed for such projects at a time when the town is tight on funds, a less elaborate interim approach for maybe the next few years looks to be preferred by the Select Board.
No formal decisions were made at a May 13 Select Board meeting during a discussion of possible future uses for the aging building and surrounding property that was home to Johnson Elementary School for decades until its closing two years ago (See presentation). But Select Board members did express support for possibly going with an interim use or uses, say renting space to a nonprofit and reaping some revenue or considering whether the building might provide needed space for pre-school or other town programs.
There’s been community support for creating an advisory committee, and a petition has been circulating to voice support for forming a group of residents “to research, synthesize, and make recommendations on reuse options.” Several Select Board members said it’s too early for an advisory group, though one said getting such a group formed could be done in parallel with developing an initial plan for the property and another said even short of forming an advisory group now, figuring out additional ways to get public input would be valuable.
The Johnson future use process kicked off in March of 2025, and the Select Board last discussed the topic in depth in February. The board and town have been looking at the future for the Johnson space alongside the future for the obsolete Cole Center and as part of a broader look at fields and parks.
Jay Poropatich, the town’s communications director, said during the Select Board meeting that the process began by focusing on wants, then needs. The focus now is on refining possible approaches to re-using the property, and that gets into financials and other details.
Select Board member Cody Jacobs said he thinks it’s important to retain a usable building at the location, especially as the school department and School Committee discuss the future of pre-school space in Natick as part of its Memorial Elementary School project. Linda Wollschlager mentioned taking a deeper look at other board and committee reports related to possible future uses. Bruce Evans spoke to the town using its resources efficiently as it balances numerous possible space needs, and said an interim use approach could be helpful timing-wise as the town plans for longer-term needs. Kristen Pope concurred, citing the town’s challenge in weighing desires for building and outdoor space in different parts of town.
Board Chair Kathryn Coughlin also supported the interim use approach, though raised the question of how much of the building is ADA compliant, and what ramifications that could have on potential uses.
Members of the public who spoke generally supported the Select Board’s approach and one emphasized the need to get additional school-related information in light of the town’s growing population. One resident asked about where the funding might come for any potential re-use of the Johnson property, and Coughlin said “We don’t know where the money’s going to come from or what grants might be available until we hone in on a use…”
Town Administrator Jamie Errickson said he’ll go back and consult with staff, and that his team might possibly have some next steps to bring back to the board during the summer (say if a need for funding was identified for interim use of the property that the town might need to ask Fall Annual Town Meeting to approve).
No need to ask Town Meeting for this: Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support Natick Report’s work.
The school committee should have No say on the disposition of the Johnson school property. It belongs to the town.