Quincy Mayor Pursued Former College Campus Purchase

Mayor Tom Koch is still seeking to acquire the 27-acre Eastern Nazarene College site despite a recent City Council rejection.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in City Hall

Bold flat-color editorial illustration featuring a geometric silhouette of an institutional building, evoking the weight of municipal urban policy. — Quincy Mayor Tom Koch remains committed to acquiring the vacant Eastern Nazarene College site, despite a recent City Council vote rejecting the funding. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Quincy Mayor Tom Koch continues to push for the city to acquire the former Eastern Nazarene College campus at 23 East Elm Ave. This effort persists even after the City Council voted 6-3 to reject a $22.5 million borrowing request for the project.

Why it matters

The proposed acquisition remains controversial due to the city's $2 billion debt and two recent credit downgrades. Council members have cited concerns regarding financial transparency as primary drivers for blocking the bond authorization.

The City Council formally rejected a $22.5 million bond request in a 6-3 vote. Quincy currently carries $2 billion in total debt and has sustained two credit downgrades within the last two years.

The players

Tom Koch

Tom Koch is the Mayor of Quincy.

Crain Co.

Crain Co. is a private development firm that previously entered a purchase agreement for the college campus.

Quincy City Council

The Quincy City Council is the legislative body responsible for authorizing city borrowing and debt.

The details

The 27-acre campus in Wollaston has remained unsold since private developer Crain Co. withdrew from a purchase agreement in November 2025. Mayor Koch, who previously intervened in the Crain Co. deal over density concerns, now aims to repurpose the site as a community asset.

February 2025: Eastern Nazarene College announced a sale agreement with Crain Co.
November 2025: Crain Co. backed out of the purchase deal.
June 15, 2026: City Council voted against the $22.5 million borrowing request.
October 17, 2026: Mayor Koch scheduled a meeting on the campus lawn.

Political Context

Opposing city councilors argue that adding to the city's $2 billion debt is fiscally irresponsible given the recent credit rating downgrades. They contend that any major land acquisition lacks sufficient transparency and risks further damaging the city's financial standing.

Residents may see continued debates over municipal spending as the mayor seeks funding for this property despite existing budget pressures. The outcome of these discussions could impact future tax obligations and city service funding levels.

The takeaway

Public debates over the college campus highlight the ongoing tension between municipal development goals and fiscal sustainability. Residents should attend scheduled meetings to understand how proposed land deals may affect the city's long-term financial health.