State Gives Town State Hospital Proposal

Westborough has received a proposal from the state regarding the Westborough State Hospital property, Town Manager Jim Malloy said Tuesday night.

Selectmen discussed the topic in executive session Tuesday night at Westborough Town Hall.

Last month, DiasporaCapital CEO Anton Nel presented to the planning board his vision for the currently state-owned state hospital site.

Nel's concept, he noted, has a film industry component, including a soundstage, as well as “a boutique hotel”; retail; keeping the town’s playing fields there, and upgrading them with lighting and wheelchair access; adding an amphitheater for community use; saving every building, if possible; and preserving “the ambience that exists at the moment.”

In early December, as Nel presented this idea to the Westborough Economic Development Committee, committee Chairman Lester Hensley said Malloy and Town Planner Jim Robbins have worked with the state Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance in recent years toward reaching “a point where they have a proposal on the table for Westborough to consider in the acquisition of the property.”

Nel has presented “one concept for the site,” Hensley said at that time.

Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.