Section 1. Notwithstanding any provisions of chapter 30B of the general laws or of any other general or special law to the contrary, the city of Watertown is hereby authorized to lease, for terms of no more than thirty (30) years, space at that certain property located at 124 Watertown street in the city of Watertown, the former Parker school, which property is described in an order of taking, recorded January 18, 2023, with the vote of its City Council, and on such terms and conditions and for such consideration as the City Council deems appropriate, in accordance with such process that will ensure that such leases shall be undertaken in accordance with an open, fair, and competitive disposition process, using sound business practices and principles of fair dealing, which process may recognize as a criteria for evaluation for such leases a level of preference for current lessees of such property. Further, any design and construction to be performed by a lessee or or lessees shall be exempt from the provision of the general laws related to the construction, reconstruction, alteration, remodeling, repair and maintenance of the improvements at the public property, including sections 44 to 58, inclusive of chapter 7C; sections 44A to 44F, inclusive of chapter 149; and section 39M of chapter 30, provided, however, the provisions of section 26 to 27H, inclusive, of chapter 149 shall apply to any contracts entered into by the lessee or lessees for the construction of such improvements.

Section 2. This Act shall not exempt the City from the provisions of section 3 of chapter 40 and sections (a), (b), and (g) of section 16 of chapter 30B of the general laws, or any other general or special law which requires a vote of the City Council to authorize the lease of real property.

Section 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.