Brookline residents heading to Town Hall for early voting Monday, Aug. 24, through Friday, Aug. 28, will find 15 fewer parking spaces, no front-door access from the lot and a closed pedestrian shortcut, all due to a $600,000 roof replacement that began July 20.
The project, carried out by contractor MDM Engineering, was originally scheduled to start July 10 but was pushed back by a delivery delay. The four-to-five-week timeline, subject to weather, puts estimated completion in late August, though no official end date has been announced.
Early voting for the Sept. 1 state primary takes place at Town Hall, 333 Washington St., according to the town's August newsletter. That means voters will navigate the construction restrictions throughout the five-day early voting period.
What's different at Town Hall
Security fencing blocks direct access to the main front doors from the parking lot. Visitors parking in the lot must use the auxiliary side entrance or walk around to Holden Street or Washington Street to reach the front doors via the sidewalk, according to the town's civic alert.
The lot is operating one-way: enter from Holden Street, exit onto Pierce Street. A crane, roofing supplies and large dumpsters occupy the 15 lost spaces.
Accessible parking has been relocated to three marked spaces in the corner of the lot near the Pierce School and one space on Holden Street.
The pedestrian shortcut from the Brookline Village Library to the area between Town Hall and the Pierce School is completely closed for the duration of the project.
Part of a larger capital initiative
The Town Hall roof is one piece of a three-building project funded through Capital Improvement Project Funds. Fire Station No. 6 and the Brookline Village Library are also getting new roofs under the same contract with MDM Engineering. The total cost for all three buildings has not been disclosed; only the Town Hall portion, at approximately $600,000, is public.
Town Hall remains open during construction. The town said it appreciates residents' patience as the infrastructure work is completed.
No official completion date has been announced. Residents with questions can contact Public Buildings Director Charlie Simmons at [email protected] for a project status update.
