ATHOL – Following a discussion with legal counsel, a Request for Proposals has been issued for a building at 72 Freedom St. already being worked on to become the North Quabbin Veterans Center.

The center is opening in Athol to meet better the needs of older, less mobile veterans in local veterans groups, including Disabled American Veterans (DAV), by centralizing the organizations in one accessible space, according to John Dodge, who is leading the project.

The Selectboard has already issued a temporary license for the groups to use the premises, according to Town Manager Shaun Suhoski.

“I think the Selectboard saw great merit in the proposal,” he said. “As part of that discussion it was asked, ‘How can the town help facilitate a longer-term arrangement, not just a temporary use license?’ They’ve already started work there creating this veterans center that they envision.”

However, Suhoski said he and Town Counsel John Barrett looked into the issue and found that there was “no way around doing a full public procurement. So, I put together an RFP. We have to advertise it twice in the local papers; that will happen on September 18th and the 25th. We also have to publish it in the state’s Central Register. This is the statutory procurement requirement to dispose of or to lease a public property.”

The RFP is for nonprofits interested in establishing a veterans services facility at the former Sherwin Williams storefront at Lord Pond Plaza. Proposals for use of the space must be submitted by Oct. 10. Dodge said he’s working on the proposal and will be submitting it shortly.

The leading criteria outlined in the RFP for a successful proposal include “(d)emonstrated ability…to offer services including education, support or ancillary supports and benefits to veterans” and “(i)nclusion of support and/or participation of veterans’ organizations serving Athol and North Quabbin area veterans.”

The organization must also show it is capable of maintaining the premises, commit to a five-year lease, and be a non-profit organization with a mission compatible with the intent of the RFP.

Although procurement laws say anyone interested in responding to the RFP may do so, Dodge said he is doubtful that any other organization will submit a proposal that would offer better services to area veterans.

“We’ve been working on this for a year, and we know we can meet the criteria mentioned in the RFP,” he said. “More important than that, we know the area, we know the veterans of the area, and we know the needs of the veterans of the area. I just don’t see anyone coming in here who could do any better than us.”

Dodge and other volunteers have already done a fair amount of work in the building, stripping floor tiles, removing retail display space, and prepping the walls for painting. Dodge said the DAV had been looking for a space that is easily accessible by the group’s members, as well as other veterans who are “getting along in years.” Dodge said the building currently owned by the organization is multi-story, which makes access for those with ambulatory difficulties a challenge. The structure, he said, is also in need of extensive upkeep and maintenance.

“I know I’m not getting any younger,” he said, “and most of our members are of a ‘certain age,’ and keeping up with maintenance is getting harder.”

Suhoski said Dodge and representatives of several local veterans organizations attended Selectboard meetings and “talked about a place where these groups can coalesce, and where services can be provided. There’s a senior center right next door. And it could be a place where there could be collaboration with the schools, bringing the younger generation in and sharing the wisdom of our veterans.

“And the different groups could more easily share resources. It would be a collegial space that’s accessible, there’s ready parking. It would be a substantial benefit to Athol and to the region.”

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.