Nonprofit Human Service Agency Will Move to 291 Mystic Avenue  Due To MBTA Eminent Domain

Walnut Street Center, a premier nonprofit human service agency that provides comprehensive supports to adults with intellectual disabilities, is relocating to a new building, in Medford MA, at 291 Mystic Avenue. The new building, which is a 42,000 square foot, one-level, fully handicap accessible space, will be completely renovated into a state-of-the-art facility and will be a positive upgrade for the Walnut Street team and the individuals supported. The move will serve as an opportunity for Walnut Street Center to expand to the Metro North service area, and the new building renovations will provide a chance to integrate some exciting service opportunities. The ground-breaking for the building renovations will take place this month, on May 26, 2016 from 10am – 12pm at the new building location and is expected to be attended by Medford’s mayor Stephanie Burke, the Somerville ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) coordinator Betsy Allen, and more.

The existing Walnut Street Center building at 35 Charlestown Street in Somerville, where the organization has been housed for the last 9 years, has been seized by eminent domain by the MBTA. The organization was approached by the MBTA within the last year and informed of their intent, and in May 31, 2015 the MBTA officially acquired the property. The Walnut Street Center team was able to purchase and begin renovations at the new location in Medford to replace the Somerville building. The Medford building will be the new hub of the organization, serving as the main administrative offices and the location for all Day Services. Current services will continue in the existing Somerville location until the new building is completed and ready for move in.

“While unexpected, this move has become something we can actually look forward to, due to the opportunities it is opening up for the Walnut Street Center organization and the individuals served,” said Executive Director Joe Churchill. “We’re going to be able to reach more people, and have a chance to renovate this building to be exactly what we want, which is not something we have ever had the chance to do before.”

The new building, which is expected to be complete in Fall of 2016, will have a music/movement room, horticultural room, art room, gymnasium, computer lab and a training kitchen. The expanded size will allow for an increased number of individuals to be served, and the three-acre lot will have a covered, secure drop off area and a large parking lot. The Walnut Street Center plans to have the building up and running and in use by late 2016.

Walnut Street Center Inc. is a non-profit agency that provides a wide array of services to individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. The center was started in the late 1960’s by a community of parents seeking services for their children. The services now offered include twenty-four hour residential supports, individual home supports, supported employment, group employment, community based day supports and day habilitation. Residentially, the agency serves 106 individuals, with additional individuals supported through its Employment and Community Based Day Supports and Day Habilitation. The services provided to individuals are mainly funded through the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) from the Charles River West, Central Middlesex and Metro North Areas. Our Day Habilitation program is funded by MA Health. The agency is proud to partner with Somerville and surrounding communities to provide quality services.