COURTESY PHOTO
An artist’s rendering of the proposed Pickering Middle School.
By THOMAS GRILLO
LYNN — There could be a happy ending after all for Janet Guanci and her ranch-style home on Parkland Avenue.
Facing the possibility of losing her 1,000-square-foot house to eminent domain for construction of a new middle school, the City Council is considering a plan to move the house 200 yards away.
Guanci, who bought the two-bedroom house in 2004 for $267,900, listened as the Public Property & Parks Committee unveiled the idea Tuesday night.
“We are trying to keep you in the same neighborhood because I know you like it there,” said Ward 2 Councilor William Trahant. “We’d like to keep you happy. All of us feel bad about the possibility of eminent domain and we are trying to work with you.”
James Lamanna, the city’s assistant city solicitor, said this is one option in a complicated process for a new middle school proposed for the neighborhood near Pine Grove Cemetery.
“We are trying to be creative,” said Lamanna. “Rather than demolish your home at 97 Parkland Ave., we could relocate it down toward the salt shed. The city is trying to give you as many options as possible.”
Moving the house at a cost of about $60,000 would be far less costly for the city than paying Guanci the appraised value of nearly $300,000, officials said.
“It’s something to think about,” Guanci told the panel. “It’s not our first choice, but I’ll think about it.”
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Councilor-at-Large Brian LaPierre said the council has not taken a vote to seize the property.
“We are exploring all options,” he said.
Following the meeting, Guanci told The Item this is the first time she’s heard of the option of moving her home farther down Parkland Avenue.
“This was a surprise,” she said. “I thought they were going to tell me they were considering a different route. It’s a good offer, but we need to take a look at it and give it more thought.” Guanci’s home would only be taken or moved by the city if voters agree to a controversial ballot question set for March 14. If approved, voters will be responsible for $91.4 million or 51.5 percent of the total $188.5 million project cost. The city said the average homeowner will pay an additional $200 in taxes per year for 25 years. The rest of the cost will be picked up by the Massachusetts School Building Authority, a quasi-public agency that funds school construction.
The 652-student school would be built near Breeds Pond Reservoir on Parkland Avenue. A second 1,008 student-school would be constructed on McManus Field on Commercial Street. If voters reject the measure, the city could lose the state money.
Proponents say the city needs the two new schools to keep pace with school enrollment which has increased by 17 percent over the past five years.
But opponents say the land on Parkland Avenue belongs to Pine Grove Cemetery and should not be used for a school.
Thomas Grillo can be reached at [email protected].