80-Bed Treatment Center Proposed for Marist Property

Waltham-based Walden Behavioral Care is proposing an 80-bed treatment center for the former Marist Retreat Center at 518 Pleasant St.

The health care company sent a letter to some neighbors inviting them to an informational meeting Thursday night to discuss the plan.

The company has filed a petition with the Framingham Zoning Board of Appeals for a special permit, as the area is zoned as R-3 single-family residential. The property is located less than a half mile from Brophy Elementary School. The public hearing before the ZBA is schedule for June 18.

Walden Behavioral Care is also scheduled to go before the Framingham Planning Board for public hearing and site plan review of the proposed redevelopment of the multi-acre property. Although an application has not been filed with the Planning Board yet, the Waltham company would like to add two more additional building to the property.

The Roman Catholic order, also known as The Society of Mary, opened the Marist House as a seminary in 1939. The property was utilized for more than 70 years as a retreat center for the Marist Fathers of Boston. It closed in July 2011. Marist Brothers cited budget issues and close to a $41 million worth of deferred maintenance as reasons to close.

Zoned as residential property and assessed at $4.5 million, Wyman Street Advisors estimated in 2012 that the property could fetch $5-$8 million.

Operating since 2003, Walden Behavioral Care, specializes in behavioral health services including but not limited to eating disorders  anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. It does treat and house psychiatric patients at some of its locations, too.

In a letter sent to some residents who abut the Marist property Walden Behavioral Care CEO and President Stuart Koman wrote "Walden has recently expressed an active interest in expanding its eating disorder services and related programs to the Marist property campus. Over the past several weeks, we have been working with the Marist Fathers and their legal representatives, selected municipal representatives and others in the Framingham area to explore this expansion."

Koman invited neighborhood residents to attend an information meeting Thursday, May 9 at the Aegean Restaurant from 6-8 p.m. Walden has been working with the Framingham Community and Economic Development Department.

"Walden has always prided itself on being a friendly neighbor and important contributor to the local communities we serve. We are working hard to ensure that this opportunity provides the same experience and benefits," wrote Koman.

Residents told Framingham Patch the Pleasant Street proposal call for an 80-bed residential/inpatient treatment center, of which 24 beds for inpatient eating disorders, 24 beds for inpatient mood disorders, 16 beds for residential adolescents and 16 beds for residential obesity patients. The site would also house outpatient services.

The Waltham facility also treats psychiatric patients. It is unknown if the company will treat or have psychiatric patients reside at the former Marist property. Walden also has other locations in Braintree, Worcester, Northampton and one in Connecticut.

Framingham Patch contacted Jim Hanrahan at Bowditch Dewey, who was listed as community contact for the project for Walden, according to ZBA documents, for more information on the proposed plan but did not hear back from him before we published.