Easthampton Historical Commission approves demolition
Robert.Judge
Project to retain character
Saturday, December 15, 2007
By NANCY H. GONTER
EASTHAMPTON - Although the building may have to be torn down and rebuilt, the historic Water Works building will retain its character when turned into three condominiums, according to developers.
Developer David R. Boyle of Autumn Properties, which purchased the building off Northampton Street for $121,500 last month, said this week he has obtained permission from the Historical Commission to demolish the building if necessary.
However, he hopes that much of the building, which was built in the late 1800s and has been damaged in floods, can be saved. Until a structural analysis has been made of it, a decision about whether the building needs to be taken down will not be made, he said.
Autumn Properties has submitted plans to the Planning Board, and a request for a special permit. A hearing is set for Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Landscape architect William A. Canon told the board that even if the brick building on the banks of the Manhan River must be razed, it will be restored.
"It will be done in the exact same style of the existing building, with the brick and the arched windows," he said. "It's going to look the same."
Plans for the project show that each unit has two bedrooms, and two of them have basements. Each is configured differently and covers more than 1,200 square feet.
They all have decks that face the river, said city planner Stuart B. Beckley.
The city has retained ownership of the riverfront and an area near the dam, should there be an interest in installing a fish ladder or hydro-electric generating plant in the future.
Boyle has said that any construction work would start in the spring.
The building has not been used since the Water Department and city engineer moved to the water treatment plant in 1996.
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