WILLIAMSTOWN – The Selectmen turned down a proposal from developer Charles Fox and his architect, David Westall, to build a combination of shops and apartments at 59 Water St., the site of the old town garage.
The board ruled on Monday that the proposal did not meet the project’s specifications.
Fox submitted the only proposal for the site, seen as an important focus for Water Street, and he wanted the town to either give him the property or provide other support.
Town Manager Peter Fohlin said the town would have had to offer the property to other developers on the same basis. Fohlin said that while Fox should be commended for submitting an interesting building, the proposal should be “withdrawn and rejected,†calling it “a friendly euthanasia.â€
“He didn’t answer the question. He didn’t give a full proposal,†Fohlin said. “He needed concessions from the town regarding the price of the land.â€
The Selectmen said they will wait, probably a year, until the Cable Mills conversion of the former Carol Cable building is completed, to issue another request for proposals in hopes that the conversion will spark more interest in development.
Selectman Charles Schlesinger noted that Fox proposed to build condominiums rather than apartments, the same choice as Cable Mills.
“I’d really like to see apartments in town,†Schlesinger said.
Fohlin replied, “If you’re absolutely dead serious about apartments, give the land to the Housing Authority. Landlords don’t really see the demand for apartments. Even the Housing Authority has to break even.â€
Fohlin said he believes a building’s ownership could be structured to allow businesses to own their quarters while the Housing Authority owned and rented out apartments.
Selectmen’s Chairman John Madden said he did not think that approach was the best way to provide affordable housing. Instead, Madden suggested the town opt for land such as the Lowry property off Stratton Road for that purpose.
Selectwoman Jane Allen, who was elected chairwoman during the board’s reorganization later in the meeting, thanked Fox and Westall for “giving us a preliminary vision for the site.â€
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Senior Golf Series Returns in September
Community submission
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The Berkshire County Fall Senior Golf series returns in September with events on five consecutive Wednesdays starting Sept. 18.
It is the 22nd year of the series, which is a fund-raiser for junior golf in the county, and it is open to players aged 50 and up.
The series will feature two divisions for each event based on the combined ages of the playing partners.
Golfers play from the white tees (or equivalent) with participants 70 and over or who have a handicap of more than 9 able to play from the forward tees.
Gross and net prices will be available in each division.
The cost is $55 per event and includes a round of golf, food and prizes. Carts are available for an additional fee.
Golfers should call the pro shop at the course for that week's event no sooner than two weeks before the event to register.
Taylor Garabedian scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed five rebounds, and Abby Scialabba scored 16 points for the ‘Canes, who got 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists from Ashlyn Lesure. click for more
On Saturday afternoon at Lowell’s Tsongas Center, the Hurricanes will take aim at Division 5 State Championships in girls and boys basketball. click for more
Pittsfield High's Matt Dupuis and Lee's Bella Kotek Sunday completed a Berkshire County sweep at the State Bowling Championships at Bowlero.
click for more
Emily Holian’s strike to open the 10th frame of the Wildcats’ second game against Worcester Tech all but assured Lee a team title at Bowlero Chicopee.
click for more
Hoosac struggled to get into rhythm on the offensive end until Joey McGovern got the 3-ball working. McGovern finished the game with 21 points including a triple in the fourth quarter that cemented him in the record books. It took him nearly the whole game but he was able to join the 1,000-point... click for more
Pittsfield High's Eliza Mullen won state title and in the giant slalom and slalom, winning the former discipline by 1.6 seconds and the latter by nearly 2.7 seconds.
click for more