Two entities have submitted proposals for the vacant Memorial Middle School.
ADAMS, Mass. — A sauce maker and the Youth Center have both taken the next step toward leasing section of the Memorial Middle School.
Town Administrator Jonathan Butler said both the Youth Center and Ooma Tesoro's submitted proposals to use space by the Friday afternoon deadline. The town now needs to decide if they want to enter lease negotiations with the entities after review of the proposals.
"I think they are looking at different zones of the building so it's not a competitive thing," Butler said Friday afternoon. "We are pleased that both submitted packages."
This is the second time the town has sought proposals for the space. The first time, no one expressed interest in the building. But this time, when a contractor's site visit was held, both Tesoro's and Youth Center officials expressed interest and now have followed it up with specific proposals. No other entities submitted proposals.
"If the proposals are sufficient, we'll look to enter negotiations," Butler said.
The Youth Center is looking for a new home after the Council on Aging has been moved out of the town's East Road building. The town is hoping to get rid of that property and Youth Center officials began seeking a way out.
Originally, they looked to purchase their own building but after looking closer at the Middle School, decided they would benefit from open spaces like the gymnasium. They already expressed visions of what the school could be to them.
Ooma Tesoro's is a Windsor-based marinara business that is looking to expand and needs a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved kitchen. They currently lease kitchen space in Greenfield but the demand for product has called for a more permanent space.
The former school cafeteria on the bottom level is being eyed as the new production center for the sauce maker. Tesoro's representatives said the school is one of a few the company is looking to lease.
The school is no longer in use after the reconstruction of Hoosac Valley Middle and High School and town officials are preparing for long-term investment into renovating the space. In the meantime, the town is seeking to lease the building so it does not become "mothballed."
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