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ST. JAMES CHURCH MAY SEEK TO BUY WATERTOWN'S EAST BRANCH LIBRARY INSTEAD OF LEASING THE BUILDING
Charlie Breitrose
Patch.com
http://watertown.patch.com/articles/st-james-church-may-seek-to-buy-watertowns-east-branch-library-instead-of-leasing-the-building
Aug 16, 2011
The Armenian congregation is growing, and officials say they may
need to expand, plus repairs on the old library will cost more than
expected.
Negotiations over a possible lease of the East Branch Library
continue between the town and St. James Armenian Church, but a church
representative told the Town Council that a sale of the building may
be more attractive to the church.
James McDermott told councilors last week that repairing the building
will cost more than the estimated $1 million and members of the church
must decide whether it is worth the investment into a property which
they would be leasing. The former library sits right next to St. James
Church on Mt. Auburn Street.
~SWe are looking at a significant investment. I know the town~Rs
preference is to lease, not sell,~T McDermott said. ~SAre we prepared
to put $2 million into a property that is not revenue generating and
we do not own? We may come back to you (to see if the town is willing
to sell).~T
The church is one of the largest Armenian congregations in the United
States, McDermott said, and it continues to grow. This might mean
expansion in the future.
~SIf we owned the (library) property that would be feasible, if we
don~Rt it is not feasible,~T McDermott said.
Church officials have not decided how to use the library, if they
lease it, McDermott said. Some possible uses include: an adult daycare
center for seniors, a daycare for children or a church hall.
Charlie Breitrose
Patch.com
http://watertown.patch.com/articles/st-james-church-may-seek-to-buy-watertowns-east-branch-library-instead-of-leasing-the-building
Aug 16, 2011
The Armenian congregation is growing, and officials say they may
need to expand, plus repairs on the old library will cost more than
expected.
Negotiations over a possible lease of the East Branch Library
continue between the town and St. James Armenian Church, but a church
representative told the Town Council that a sale of the building may
be more attractive to the church.
James McDermott told councilors last week that repairing the building
will cost more than the estimated $1 million and members of the church
must decide whether it is worth the investment into a property which
they would be leasing. The former library sits right next to St. James
Church on Mt. Auburn Street.
~SWe are looking at a significant investment. I know the town~Rs
preference is to lease, not sell,~T McDermott said. ~SAre we prepared
to put $2 million into a property that is not revenue generating and
we do not own? We may come back to you (to see if the town is willing
to sell).~T
The church is one of the largest Armenian congregations in the United
States, McDermott said, and it continues to grow. This might mean
expansion in the future.
~SIf we owned the (library) property that would be feasible, if we
don~Rt it is not feasible,~T McDermott said.
Church officials have not decided how to use the library, if they
lease it, McDermott said. Some possible uses include: an adult daycare
center for seniors, a daycare for children or a church hall.