Woburn Keeps Wyoming Castle Arts Center Proposal in Committee, Approves Wonder Restaurant

WOBURN — January 12, 2026 — Woburn's City Council kept a community arts center proposal for the historic Wyoming Castle property in committee Monday, approving no lease or formal next step despite an hour-long presentation by the Save the Wyoming Castle Committee. The group, which has formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a bank account at Northern Bank and Trust, told the Committee on Infrastructure and Public Lands that 96 percent of surveyed residents support converting the Wyoming School site into a multi-use arts and community center, and outlined a timeline targeting a June 2026 fundraising launch contingent on a city lease agreement. Committee Chair Councilor Dylan Dambrow said he is not in favor of demolition but cited unresolved questions about whether a competitive request-for-proposals process is legally required, the need for a direct abutters meeting, and the absence of a benefactor or formal financial commitments. "We've got to look out for the taxpayers," Dambrow said, "and when it comes to that, even if it's going to cost no money to the taxpayer initially, we need to make sure that we cover the liability." The committee also unanimously approved a special permit for Wonder restaurant at 103 Commerce Way with hours capped at 11 p.m. seven days a week, and the Personnel Committee seated Simon Miner, founder of digital accessibility firm Pedal Point Solutions, on the Woburn Commission on Disability.