Amesbury, MA — The City of Amesbury announces that a Request for Proposal (RFP) is now available for the city-owned former Amesbury Elementary School, located at 24 South Hampton Road. The RFP outlines development objectives that include removal of the existing school structure, new housing comprised of multiple structures that accommodates a variety of housing types, sizes, and configurations along with shared park and gathering spaces. 

“This is a tremendous milestone for us and the neighborhood. We have worked hard to strike a balance with this property and what it has to offer. It’s important to me that we retain recreation and open space for the neighborhood while putting some of the property back on the tax rolls. I’m hopeful we see interest from the development community and find the right partner to make this happen”, said Mayor Gove.

 In July 2025, as part of a land use and redevelopment assessment process administered by the Office of Community and Economic Development, the Mayor submitted Council Bill 2025-082 requesting authorization to dispose, by sale, of an approximately four-acre portion of the 14-acre City-owned parcel at 24 South Hampton Road, in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B, Section 16.

At the same time, the Mayor introduced Council Bill 2025-083 to amend the Amesbury Zoning Map. The amendment rezoned two portions of the former school property from Open Space Conservancy (Municipal) to Residence 8 (R-8) to support future housing opportunities. After the passing of that bill the property is now rezoned to R-8, consistent with adjacent zoning.

Note: Image is of preferred development plan for 24 South Hampton Road and is not an actual submitted plan.

One portion of the parcel is approximately 4- acres in size and has frontage along 24 South Hampton Road. This includes the former Elementary School and its associated modular classrooms, playground, and driveway area. The second portion is approximately ¼ acres in size and has frontage on Rowell Street.

The remaining nearly 10-acre portion of the property will be retained by the City for the purposes of maintaining trail connections, open space, and public recreation opportunities.

Senior Project Manager for the city, Howard Snyder said, “Redevelopment of the former Amesbury Elementary School parcel for residential purposes will be transformative for the neighborhood and the Amesbury community as a whole. Aims of the project that include architectural design, variable housing type and site layout are considerations intended to balance housing needs with thoughtful integration into the city’s fabric.”

The City has established a minimum bid price of $1,000,000. The property’s FY2025 assessed value is $7,663,400. The RFP will be available for pick-up from the Procurement and Liability Manager, Administration and Finance Department, Room 215 at 1 Market Street, City Hall, Amesbury MA 01913 during regular business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, and 8:00 a.m. to noon on Friday, excluding holidays. 

The RFP is also available for download at www.amesburyma.gov/Bids.aspx.

It is recommended that interested parties attend a pre-application site visit that will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2026. Questions will be accepted during the site visit and via email. Responses will be issued by addendum.

All questions regarding the RFP must be submitted in writing via email to Senior Project Manager, Howard Snyder, at snyderh@amesburyma.gov no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026.