ST. JAMES CHURCH MAY SEEK TO BUY WATERTOWN’S EAST BRANCH LIBRARY INSTEAD OF LEASING THE BUILDING
Charlie Breitrose

Patch.com

Aug 16, 2011

The Armenian congregation is growing, and officials say they may
need to expand, plus repairs on the old library will cost more than
expected.

Negotiations over a possible lease of the East Branch Library
continue between the town and St. James Armenian Church, but a church
representative told the Town Council that a sale of the building may
be more attractive to the church.

James McDermott told councilors last week that repairing the building
will cost more than the estimated $1 million and members of the church
must decide whether it is worth the investment into a property which
they would be leasing. The former library sits right next to St. James
Church on Mt. Auburn Street.

~SWe are looking at a significant investment. I know the town~Rs
preference is to lease, not sell,~T McDermott said. ~SAre we prepared
to put $2 million into a property that is not revenue generating and
we do not own? We may come back to you (to see if the town is willing
to sell).~T

The church is one of the largest Armenian congregations in the United
States, McDermott said, and it continues to grow. This might mean
expansion in the future.

~SIf we owned the (library) property that would be feasible, if we
don~Rt it is not feasible,~T McDermott said.

Church officials have not decided how to use the library, if they
lease it, McDermott said. Some possible uses include: an adult daycare
center for seniors, a daycare for children or a church hall.