Former Westboro State Hospital Property Up For Sale
WESTBORO (CBS) -- Some people think it's haunted, and others that it's just plain creepy, but the town of Westboro looks at it as a big boost for the community.
The old Westboro State Hospital is on the market. "It's a little scary inside. It smells a little mildewy," says Jim Malloy, Westboro's Town Manager.
That's because some of the buildings opened in the late 1800's and are falling apart. First called the Westboro Insane Hospital and later Westboro State Hospital, hundreds of mentally ill patients lived here until it closed in 2010.
"The town bought this a year or so ago and we're looking to redevelop this for some positive use where it's sat vacant now for about six years," Malloy explains.
The community is selling about 40 of the 100 acres. "Corporate office buildings, senior housing, R & D, medical centers," he says.
That redevelopment will help fill town coffers. "This is a property that has been off the tax rolls since before modern times. A substantial redevelopment like this could bring in a new annual revenue source," according to the Town Manager.
The town intends to keep a lot of the land for itself. "The remaining 60 acres will be recreation fields, open space, access to Lake Chauncy and then a potential 15 acre site that could be anything from a community recreation center to maybe a future site for a school," says Malloy.
Unfortunately the buildings are in such bad shape, contaminated with asbestos, with holes in the roofs and crumbling bricks, that they probably can't be saved. But after the old is swept away, the new will reward the town. "I see a whole new vibrant area for the community," says Malloy.
About 20 developers, in-state and out, have received bid information over the past two weeks. Town officials estimate the project could be complete in two or three years.
A tour of the Lyman Street property will be given on July 11, with a bidder's conference being held on July 18.
Bids for the property are due by 11 a.m. on September 6.
