Westfield studies new options for closed Moseley School

An attempt to sell Moseley School last year drew only one response that was rejected.

File photo by Manon MirabelliWestfield officials plan to consider possible uses of the former Moseley School, seen here, Dartmouth Street.

WESTFIELD – City officials are looking at two new options for the reuse of Moseley School on Dartmouth Street that was closed by the School Department last year.

Mayor Daniel M. Knapik wants to look at leasing the building for private use while at least one city councilor wants the city to consider the former school as temporary headquarters for the School Department.

The City Council Thursday sent the mayor’s request to its Property Subcommittee for review and at the same time a request by Ward 2 Councilor James E. Brown Jr. to consider reopening the building for School Department offices was also referred to committee. Brown’s suggestion is now in several council subcommittees as well as referred to the mayor, School Committee, Law Department and Building Department for consideration.

A request for proposals to sell the school, built in 1914, last year drew only one response for low to moderate income housing. That was rejected.

Knapik said a request for lease of the building might draw additional interest.

But, Brown said Friday that Moseley may have use as a temporary facility for School Department offices when the former Ashley Street School, now used as school administration office space, is closed to make way for construction of a new elementary school.

“It is something to look at since the mayor is also asking council approval to advertise for lease of office space for the School Department,” Brown said.

A request by Knapik to seek up to a five-year lease of office space for the School Department was sent to the council last month.

Brown’s suggestion was sent to the city Building Department to review and prepare cost estimates for reopening Moseley and required renovation to serve as an office building.

“Everything now on the table for Moseley School will allow the city to compare prices and costs. Any proposals for the private lease of the building can be compared to the cost of using that building as temporary school offices. Those costs can also be compared to the cost of leasing professional office space for our School Department when Ashley Street is closed,” Brown said.