My office received news yesterday that's relieving.
It appears the Glavin Center will not be sold by the state this year after all, despite fears that Governor Patrick was moving to expedite closure and disposition of the property.
Recent developments started when the Governor's FY2011 budget plan was released in late January. The document contained a provision to allow the state to expedite the sale of certain "surplus" properties, and the Glavin Center was listed as one of the targeted parcels.
The Governor's budget language came as a surprise because the parcel was supposed to be under a cost/benefit study by the Patrick Administration following negotiations I had with the Governor last year. As it turns out, following further investigation, the Division of Capital Asset Management has clarified that the Glavin Center was mistakenly included on the list of properties subject to expedited sale, and that it won't be sold in 2011 after all.
The long-term future of the Glavin Center remains uncertain, and I am continuing to work with the Patrick Administration to identify its best use and the best outcome for the patients who call the center home. I am firmly committed to the current use of the facility for residents. And I believe that any discussions about a different use must be done in an open, transparent and fair manner, with the highest regard for the residents who call Glavin their home. At least for now, the facility will remain open without the threat of an imminent sale.
