Cummings Teen Center Would Cost $28 Million

School Building Facilities and Maintenance Committee · Meeting of September 9, 2026

SOMERVILLE — The Somerville School Building Facilities and Maintenance Committee learned that renovating the vacant Cummings School would cost about $28 million, a figure officials said likely keeps it out of the next five-year capital plan. Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management Raish told the joint council and school committee panel that "any reuse or reconstruction or rehabilitation of that building is not worth the effort," recommending demolition over repair, though he said the School Committee holds final authority over the property's future. Commissioner of Public Works Wiseman reported a new air conditioning unit cooled the Edgerly Education Center cafetorium from 82 to 74 degrees in 30 minutes, but warned the building is near its electrical capacity limit, with a $3 million transformer and panel upgrade still unapproved.

The committee also heard that Somerville's Winter Hill and Brown schools rebuild remains on an accelerated MSBA schedule, with a Facilities Assessment Subcommittee review expected September 16 or 30 and a geothermal go-or-no-go decision anticipated around February.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,804 words

Source: the School Building Facilities and Maintenance Committee meeting of September 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.