HOPKINTON, RI – Long-standing plans to address public health and safety concerns posed by the vacant 120-year-old Ashaway School Building property have moved forward thanks to a $465,000 federal earmark for the Town of Hopkinton secured by U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse.

Senators Reed and Whitehouse today joined town officials and workers on the site of the Ashaway School Building, which has been vacant for two decades, to discuss how the federal funding helped complete needed abatement and demolition work that started in June.

Reed & Whitehouse Ashaway School Earmark_8

“The health, well-being, and safety of the Ashaway community and all Rhode Islanders is paramount,” said Senator Reed.  “I’m glad to have worked with Senator Whitehouse to deliver this critical federal funding for the town to help strengthen public health and safety for residents and students at the nearby Ashaway Elementary School. I commend town leaders and members of the community for working to preserve the rich history and artifacts from the 1904 building so that it will be preserved for generations to come.”

“Thanks to federal funding, the town has been able to safely begin knocking down the hazardous Ashaway School.  This demolition and abatement project will help protect the health of the kids who go to school nearby,” said Whitehouse.

The $465,000 federal earmark secured by Reed and Whitehouse in the fiscal year 2023 appropriations law is helping Hopkinton address the significant safety concerns posed by the building, which has been deemed a community hazard.

Discussions about the future of the building have been ongoing since the school’s closure in 2004. Given hazards posed by lead contaminants, asbestos, roof and floor cave ins, and costly repairs, as well as the old wooden building’s close proximity to Ashaway Elementary, the decision was made to demolish the structure. The Hopkinton Town Council voted to approve the demolition in 2018.

“First, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Senator Reed and Senator Whitehouse for their invaluable support and assistance in securing funding for this project.  Their commitment to our community has made a significant difference.  The decision to take down the 1904 School, made after decades of exhaustive efforts and thorough investigations, was not taken lightly.  As a former attendee of the 1904 School, I personally understand the emotional connection many residents have to it,” said Town Manager Brian M. Rosso.  “The primary drivers for this decision are the exhausted options and, most importantly, the safety concerns voiced by town officials, the school district, emergency services representatives, and our community members.  The Town Council, in a decision that honors the school’s legacy, has chosen to create a beautiful green space on the site.  This space, including a gazebo, the original weathervane, and a memorial plaque, will serve as a lasting tribute, preserving its memory for future generations.”

“Since 2009, the Town has been trying to find a viable future for this historic building.  We engaged with architectural and engineering firms, conducted environmental reviews, and sought potential tenants, but each effort underscored the building’s unsuitability for reuse due to its hazardous materials, structural concerns, and proximity to the current Ashaway Elementary School,” said Town Council President Michael Geary.  “This ultimately led to the Town Council’s decision in 2018 that preserving the building was no longer feasible.  As we move forward, we can take pride in our commitment to preserving the past while prioritizing the safety and well-being of our children.”

This summer, crews began abatement of hazardous materials in the building. Demolition of the structure is underway and Senators Reed and Whitehouse today met with local leaders to discuss the town’s future plans.

Beginning in 2016, steps were taken by the town to document the old building, gather memorabilia from the school, and salvage any useful or significant materials.