Next month, the Marion Town House Building Committee with the Marion Board of Selectmen will issue a Request for Qualifications to hire an architectural team to prepare a feasibility study to renovate and modernize the historic Marion Town House. The landmark building was constructed in 1876–1890 for Tabor Academy as a gift from the town’s most important benefactor, Elizabeth Taber. In 1937, it was given to the Town of Marion as part of a land swap with the growing school. The 138-year old building is now in need of extensive repairs and updating to meet current building codes and modern functionality.
The RFQ asks for three Town House renovation options to be studied as well as a fourth option, which would incorporate master planning for the Town House, the Elizabeth Taber Library and a senior center. The resulting feasibility study will result in conceptual plans of all four options and will inform townspeople as to what renovation plan is most feasible and what the cost will be. The four options specifically exclude demolition of the 1876 building
The Town House Building committee members are Paul Dawson (Town Manager), Lynn Crocker, Priscilla Ditchfield, Jon Henry (selectman), Wayne Matteson, Bob Raymond (chairman), Bill Saltonstall, Meg Steinberg and Shaun Cormier (Facilities Manager and Owners Project Manager).
The ultimate goal of the study is to provide modern functional town facilities in beautifully renovated buildings compatible with the special character of the town. The Committee will hold a public hearing next summer at the completion of the study to present the results.