By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – The Walker Building at 255 Main St. in Marlborough – referred to as “a beautiful and iconic structure” by Mayor Arthur Vigeant – is available to developers who may transform portions of the building into a condominium development, a hotel, mixed residential and retail use, or municipal offices. At the mayor’s request, stated in a communication to the City Council in late 2015, discussions began. Through the efforts of the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), a study was conducted last summer by Symmes, Maini, and McKee Associates (SMMA) and their suggestions were brought forward.
Councilors agreed that the options mentioned above were the best uses of the half-vacant building as it would generate economic development in the area.
“Hopefully some creative people will come forth with a proposal that would stimulate business downtown and make it more vibrant,” said Ward 1 Councilor Joseph Delano, chair of the Urban Affairs Committee. Any request for proposals (RFPs) to redevelop the building will come before the City Council for approval. As stated by Mayor Vigeant and the MEDC, there are restrictions on changes to the façade and grounds.
The building, named for Frank D. Walker, who served as mayor of Marlborough from 1966 to 1967, was built in 1897, was enlarged in the 1920s and renovated in 1964. Currently a few city offices are operating in the building.