The Swampscott Town Building Study Committee was formed by authorization at the Swampscott Town Meeting in May 2007. Over the course of the next year, this committee evaluated the reuse potential for fifteen town owned buildings. In March, 2008, the Design Partnership of Cambridge and Concord Square Planning & Development Inc. were engaged to assist with the preparation of a disposition plan and reuse options for three of the key town owned properties: the Greenwood Avenue School, the Temple Israel and the Phillips Beach Fire Station property.

The goal for the analysis was to identify and recommend a disposition and re-use program for the buildings that would provide a balance between maximizing the potential revenue generation for the Town, providing compatibility with the surrounding neighborhoods, and minimizing the impact on infrastructure. With these goals in mind, the team evaluated a number of potential reuse options for each property. The analysis included an evaluation of current real estate market for condominium sales, the preparation of conceptual site plans and building layout plans, a detailed financial analysis, a set of recommended next steps, and the preparation of Gantt charts showing a prospective schedule for property disposition.  The financial analysis evaluated multiple development scenarios.  It also estimated a range of probable sale prices for the three parcels.

This work was completed in six weeks in order to be available for the May 5^th town meeting.  The report, coupled with the overall recommendations by the Building Reuse Committee resulted in Town Meeting Action to move forward with the key recommendations.  A committee was formed to manage the process, and funds were appropriated for a consultant to bring specific recommended zoning changes and a specific disposition plan to the fall town meeting.