Fitch School intended for demolition 

The Fitch School at 14 Ash St. is slated for partial demolition. 

It is unclear when the city will start the demolition. City Council at its Aug. 5 meeting approved taking out a $2,904,575 loan that in part would cover the Fitch School demolition costs.

The gymnasium and mechanical room of the school will not be demolished and the school facade’s art deco elements will be preserved by request of the Waltham Historical Commission. Decorative panels and light fixtures at the side entrance of the building will be reapplied to the remaining building portion.

The Healthy Waltham food pantry currently occupies the gymnasium area of the Fitch School and will continue operations there until further notice.

According to a bid request from the city, the Fitch School demolition is a part of a series of demolitions that will take place around Waltham. Demolition of Withington Hall and Farrell Hall, both at 200 Trapelo Road, will also be included in the awarded contract. 

The Waltham Times asked Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy for more details on the demolitions but did not receive a response as of Oct. 30.

CORRECTION: This request to preserve the Fitch school’s decorative elements was made by the Waltham Historical Commission, not the Waltham Historical Society.