Mayor Menino Announces Long Anticipated Deal for North Street Property
Mayor Thomas M. Menino, in a letter today, informed families of the popular John Eliot K-8 School that the City has acquired nearby North Bennet Street School buildings, allowing for expansion of the Eliot in the coming years.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Mayor Thomas M. Menino, in a letter today, informed families of the popular John Eliot K-8 School that the City has acquired nearby North Bennet Street School buildings, allowing for expansion of the Eliot in the coming years.
“The Eliot K-8 is a true gem, which is attracting young families to Boston,” said Mayor Menino. “Parents have urged us to expand this small, successful school. Expanding the program helps us deliver on our promise to provide quality educational choices in every part of Boston and connect schools with the communities they support.”
The four buildings -- 37-39 North Bennet St. and 48-52 Tileston St. in the North End -- are just one tenth of a mile from the Eliot K-8 School. The properties will be renovated by the city and will open in the next few years.
This year-and-a-half process, which culminated today with a vote by the city’s Public Facilities Commission, accepts an offer valued at $11,350,000. The city will receive cash and Four buildings in the transaction. The North Bennet Street School will, in turn, receive 150 North St. and 130-140 Richmond St. As part of the RFP process The North Bennet Street School has agreed to participate in the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program annually in the form of educational scholarship to their school.
“We are thrilled that Mayor Menino has found a solution to the need for additional capacity at the Eliot K-8 School,” said Superintendent Carol R. Johnson. “Our talented teachers and school leader have turned this school into a place of excellence, and this decision will allow us to open the doors for hundreds more students.”
Led by Traci Walker-Griffith, the John Eliot K-8 is one of the city’s most popular schools, with 322 students enrolled and 295 on its waiting list. Just five years ago, when Walker-Griffith became the new principal at the Eliot, many classes were half-empty. At the time the Eliot was a struggling Commonwealth Priority School – identified as low-performing. For the last two years, the Eliot has been a statewide Commendation School – meaning it is closing achievement gaps and is one of the strongest schools in Massachusetts.
Adding the North Bennet Street buildings as a second campus will allow Boston Public Schools to add additional seats once renovations are complete. Mayor Menino will join Superintendent Johnson, Walker-Griffith and Eliot families on Tuesday, May 22 at 6 p.m. to discuss expansion plans.
The four buildings will be turned over to the Property and Construction Management Department as they are transitioned and undergo renovations.
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