WCAC

by Chris Wangler

September 13, 2022

The property where the Waltham Elks meet at School and Lexington Streets is now on the market. Does the City of Waltham plan to buy it?

101 School Street was listed recently for $2,995,000 by Don Hopkins Real Estate, affiliated with Waltham-based Gelineau & Associates Real Estate.

 

The listing said the building was constructed in 1962 and is currently owned and operated by the Waltham Elks Lodge.

We’re awaiting word on what is next for Waltham Elks members.

Zoned for Business B, the 0.6 acre property boasts two entrances to a parking lot with more than 70 spaces.

In recent years, a number of properties on or around School Street have come on the market, including a 40-space parking lot at 33 Exchange Street near the Boys & Girls Club. 

 

Last spring, Mayor Jeannette McCarthy and city officials negotiated with Gelineau & Associates to buy that parking lot for $1.4 million.

Is the mayor now interested in the property that serves as headquarters for The Waltham Elks? 

On this Monday’s city council docket was the following item: “The Mayor respectfully requests to go into Executive Session regarding the property located at 101 School Street.”

 

Because it concerns a real estate matter, the discussion was held behind closed doors.

City acquisition could provide additional parking for Government Center across the street.

 

It could also support one of the mayor’s top goals in recent years: acquiring valuable Waltham real estate to prevent development of dense and costly housing.