Reading, MA — According to documents from the Middlesex County Registry of Deeds, 17 Harnden Street, the former Walgreens Building, has been sold to JALA Hospitality, LLC of Upper Saddle, New Jersey, for the sum of $6,500,000. The deed was recorded on December 13.
The building had been under consideration for purchase by the town as a site for a new senior center to replace the Pleasant Street Center. A proposal presented to the town by BH Waltham II, LLC was for a purchase price of $7,000,000 with a $2,000,000 seller’s credit. There was an item on the November Town Warrant to discuss the issue, though it was indefinitely postponed at the request of the Select Board to give the board time to do its due diligence.
The Select Board again discussed the property in executive session at its December 13 meeting after an open session discussion regarding the possibility of a new senior center at other sites in town, including 25 Haven Street, the former Rite Aid, and RMLD building.
At that meeting, the Select Board voted to direct the Town Manager to issue an RFP seeking acquisition of property in town to be used for a senior center or other municipal use.
It is unknown at this time what plans JALA Hospitality has for the building.
