The former Sun Cleaners on River Street has been slated for demolition for some time. Several weeks ago, the parcel was cleared and the building itself came down last week.
Former North Adams Dry Cleaning Building Demolished
The 1865 structure and its 1960s brick addition were demolished last Thursday.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The former Sun Cleaners finally came down last week years after the city was first approached to take over the troubled structure.
The city took possession of the former dry cleaning shop in 2019 as part of a portfolio of properties transferred by the now-dissolved Housing Opportunities Inc. That process took several years because of site testing and over concerns of liabilities for cleanup.
Testing found high enough levels of contamination by solvents used in dry cleaning and some petroleum. A state Brownsfield grant is being used for the demolition and remediation of the quarter-acre property.
The HOI board, which was also the North Adams Housing Authority, was not clear on why the first-time homebuyer agency acquired the property back in 2008, two years after the business closed. The director and the board members had changed over since that time.
Both the cleaners and the building had a long history in North Adams. The dry-cleaning business was established by John Polumbo in 1923 as Berkshire Cleaners on Center Street. A victim of urban renewal, Polumbo moved to 109 and 111 River St. in 1961. His son, David, later operated the business along with a gift and party supply store and pool supply store. David Polumbo died in 2013.
Parts of the building date to 1865 when it was constructed by Jacob Coon, who operated a grocery at 109 River and had a livery in the back. The barn was taken down with the building.
The structure had been a single-family house before the brick facade was added on. A sign noting it as the Jacob Coon house was attached in 2002 and the building was listed on the city's historical survey. Coon was active in local politics and was captain of the Wilson Hose Company. He died at age 81 in 1916.
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North Adams Council Sets School Debt Exclusion Vote
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Council President Bryan Sapienza holds up an application to work as a poll worker for the upcoming elections. The form can be found under 'Becoming an election worker' under city clerk on the city website or in the city clerk's office.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council gave final approval on Tuesday for the mayor to borrow $65,362,859 for a new Greylock School to serve Grades prekindergarten through 2.
This final adoption paves the way for two community forums and a debt exclusion vote scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Elizabeth's Parish Center. Passage of the debt exclusion vote will allow the city to raise funds beyond its levy limit for the life of the loan.
City Clerk Tina Marie Leonesio said the city has about 1,400 requests for mail-in ballots for all elections and that in-person early voting will start the Saturday before.
The first forum is Thursday, Aug. 15, at 6 p.m. at Greylock; officials will provide an overview of the project and tours of the school. Zoom participation is available here. Northern Berkshire Community Television will also record the forums for later broadcast.
The second forum is Thursday, Aug. 22, at 6 p.m. at Brayton Elementary School. The Zoom link is the same and those attending in person can also take a tour of the building.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority will pick up about $41,557,218 of the cost, the city about $20 million and the $3 million balance is expected to come from federal energy grants. The 30-year tiered loan for $20 million is expected to have its highest impact in 2029 when it will add $270 to the average tax bill, or about $22.50 a month.
This final adoption paves the way for two community forums and a debt exclusion vote scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Elizabeth's Parish Center.
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The school received a $64,000 Feigenbaum Foundation grant a couple years ago, but because of supply and shipping delays from the pandemic, the equipment was not delivered until this past winter. click for more
Nearly a dozen residents attended Monday's Conservation Commission meeting to express opposition to a forest management plan that will include logging and the use of herbicides near Notch Reservoir. click for more