Project Background

The Walker Center for Ecumenical Exchange is located at the intersection of Grove and Hancock Streets in Auburndale. Before its' eventual closure in 2019, the site and adjacent buildings provided housing and educational resources, first to foreign missionaries then to international students, for over 140 years. Click here to view a map of the properties and surrounding parcels.

In 2021, Mayor Fuller announced the opportunity to purchase a portion of the Walker Center directly adjacent to the Williams Elementary School with $2.45 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The City Council allowed the purchase of the parcel in November 2021 (Council Order #392-21). The purchase allowed the City the flexibility to expand the playground area for the school. Additionally, the purchase allows the City to provide permanently affordable housing by renovating the three family-sized homes on the site. 

In the Fall of 2023, City staff began the Real Property Reuse process with the City Council's Real Property Reuse Committee by declaring the approximately 25,000 square feet of land containing the three homes surplus. The approximately 10,000 square feet remaining was not declared surplus and will be reserved for potential school expansion. After a public hearing, the Real Property Reuse Committee voted to form a Joint Advisory Planning Group (JAPG) to determine the use of the site.

JAPG Meetings and Materials

All questions and comments should be directed to WalkerCenterJAPG@newtonma.gov.

The next meeting will be held virtually via Zoom on Thursday September 19 from 4-5:30 p.m. Please click here to view the agenda and meeting materials. 

Members:

• David Boronkay
• Rose Day
• Thomas Gagen
• Paul Giragos
• Abigail Glovsky
• Ken Gould
• David Hedison
• Kenneth Krems
• Julie Shea

Meeting Dates: 

1. Tuesday, August 27 from 4-5:30 p.m.
   • Click here to view materials for this meeting 
   • Audio recording 
2. Thursday, September 19 from 4-5:30 p.m.
   • Click here to view materials for this meeting
   • Audio recording
   • Combined presentations: Local Historic Districts and Weston & Sampson Existing Conditions Analysis  
3. Thursday, October 10 from 4-5:30 p.m.
   • Click here to view materials for this meeting
   • Audio recording
   • Walker Center Reuse Study
4. Tuesday, October 29 from 4-5:30 p.m.
   • Click here to view materials for this meeting
   • Draft meeting summary from 10/10/24
   • Audio recording
   • Weston & Sampson Presentation
5. Thursday, November 14 from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
   • Click here to view materials for this meeting
   • Draft meeting summary from 10/29/24
6. Thursday, December 12 from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Audio recordings will be posted within one business day of each meeting.

Area Map: