Select Board awards Hawthorne property reuse contract to performing arts group.
Select Board backs Swampscott Center for the Performing Arts for Hawthorne temporary reuse. The board voted 4-1 to award a lease authorization through June 30, 2028, to SCFPA for a cultural hub with performing arts, restaurant, café, family programming, and local retail, committing approximately
Select Board · Meeting of March 4, 2026
SWAMPSCOTT — Select Board backs Swampscott Center for the Performing Arts for Hawthorne temporary reuse. The board voted 4-1 to award a lease authorization through June 30, 2028, to SCFPA for a cultural hub with performing arts, restaurant, café, family programming, and local retail, committing approximately $600,000 in Year-1 capital expenditures. David Grishman dissented.
The board immediately launched a parallel request for proposals for long-term redevelopment, directing staff to refine demolition cost estimates downward from a $2,000,000 capital plan placeholder to realistic ranges near $500,000. Town Administrator Nicholas Connors reported escalating Swampscott's rail trail project removal from the state's draft Transportation Improvement Program directly to Secretary Eng and the legislative delegation, with a meeting to be arranged to ensure full discussion before any vote.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 354 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of March 4, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
Members read the rest of this story and every Swampscott meeting we cover, in full.
Become a memberAlready a member? Sign inA 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms
Share this brief
Know someone in Swampscott who follows town government? Share Townbrief Swampscott: they can sign up free.