SMITHFIELD – Town officials will soon be changing the name of the Overbrook Academy property, even as they sort out best uses for it in the future.
Overbrook has been referred to as the municipal government complex during budget talks, but no name has been settled on yet.
Town Manager Robert Seltzer and Town Council members held a workshop for the public on Tuesday evening where they gave updates on planning for the 43.5-acre property at 60 Austin Ave. This property represents a huge opportunity for the future, they said, and now that that the process to acquire it is complete, they want to maximize those uses.
The town has received numerous suggestions from the public on how the property should be used, including: Town Council offices, Town Hall relocation, School Department relocation, rental by the YMCA, additional elementary school, library to replace Greenville Library, municipal court, private pool club, indoor pol for schools or clubs to rent, rehabbed sports fields for rentals, build a stadium, HVAC/trade certificate school location, food hall, solar paneled roof, corporate retreat and conference spaces, autism center, centralized public works and facilities, town-run recreation complex, and accessible playground.
Others have suggested revenue streams from leasing out the property’s school building and library, and also possible high-end apartments on the third floor.
The town has received some general inquiries to lease parts of the main building, the school building, and the gym. A chorus band for practice, dance studio for dance practice, and basketball training instructor have all asked about the gym, according Seltzer.
The main building of the property covers 87,000 square feet and is three stories tall. The original building dates to about 1945.
The site has been used for educational purposes for many decades, and prior to being known as Overbrook Academy, it was associated with the former St. Aloysius facility and later Mater Ecclesiae College. As Overbrook Academy, it was a private Catholic school, serving middle and high school students and operating on the site for many years.
Town officials say people are using the walking trails, are visiting the property to enjoy the scenic woods and quiet nature, that police and fire personnel have used the main building for active shooter training, that the K-9 officer has been using it for training along with other departments, and that the Municipal Police Academy used it for cadet training. A room in the basement has been set up for town records storage for municipal archives.
Here are some other updates on the property:
- Fulcrum Engineering is conducting an energy study of the buildings, which will be provided to the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank for funding opportunities.
- Rhode Island Analytical is doing a study of the roof to determine materials involved, since the roof dates to the 1940s. This is part of planning for future replacement.
- The IT director has established a wireless internet connection so the town can install security measures.
- The DPW/Parks Department is maintaining the property.
- The town has been asking department managers to put together a needs assessment to move offices to Overbrook.
- The town is working with Aharonian & Associates Architects to develop floor layouts of the main building.
- The architect will work with the town to identify spaces in the main building for town offices.
- The team working on the project is putting together a presentation for the Town Council regarding space needed for municipal use and space available for lease.
- Officials will identify grant opportunities to fund the campus needs, upgrading HVAC systems, computer and internet wiring, etc.
Town Councilor Angelica Bovis said this purchase represents a great opportunity for the town.
“Not only did we save it from substantial housing development that would cripple our school system and public safety resources, it is also a great opportunity to condense existing town buildings and expand programs in town,” she said. “We definitely have a long way to go until the property is utilized to its full capacity, but we want to make sure we do this right and that means taking our time.”
Last December, the Town Council authorized a $5.3 million purchase of the property following a legal battle over whether it would come under public ownership. After the town put in an offer last year, the owner backed out of the deal, going with a higher offer of $6.3 million. That led to the legal action and the town eventually coming out victorious.
