Work to replace the West End bridge on Route 2 will start in the next month. At least one lane will remain open to keep traffic flowing but there are concerns of backups with Mass Ave and Brown Street also being closed.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The burned-out hulk on Houghton Street is expected to come down before the end of the year.
Mayor Jennifer Macksey informed the City Council on Tuesday that a demolition bid had been awarded to Associated Building Wreckers of Springfield in the amount of $237,000 for the Houghton structure and another building on Prospect Street.
The funding for the demolition comes from the city's American Rescue Plan Act funds.
"Both sites are considered high with asbestos abatement. So therefore the areas will be completely contained," the mayor said. "So don't get nervous when you see a lot of people with zoot suits on. "Because of the conditions of the building we had to declare it all hazardous.
"It doesn't necessarily mean that it is but we couldn't get into the buildings because they're in such poor condition to do an adequate assessment."
The concerns over asbestos abatement was one reason for the high cost of the demolition and removal of debris.
The three-story apartment building at 246-248 Houghton St. burned in January 2019. It sustained fire and structural damage and roof collapse. It's been empty and a public safety nuisance for four years now and was put on the city's demolition list in April.
"I know especially the people in the area will be happy about that," said the mayor.
The structure was known as the Owen Morris House and, according to the city's historical survey, was constructed in 1884, although the city's assessor gives it a date of 1870. It was originally used as a residence and grocery store and built by Morris, who worked at Arnold Print Works. It had four units at the time and a public library branch was located there for about 40 years until closing in 1976.
The property was sold in April 2020 for $5,000 to Garabed Setrakian of Cambridge, who had planned to raze the building and replace it with a new six-unit building primarily for short-term rentals. He received a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals for parking in 2021 but has not moved forward with the project although the site has appeared on real estate listings in the past.
The two-story structure at 86-88 Prospect St. has four units and was built around 1900. It has reportedly been vacant for some time.
Macksey also reported that the Massachusetts Avenue stormwater work is about 75 percent complete. The street was closed to through traffic between Protection Avenue and Ashton Avenue in August for the second phase of the work that had closed Ashton for months prior.
"Most of the work that will require us to close the street will be done, hopefully, by the end of the year," she said. "And then depending on what kind of winter we get, will determine how much work we get done between January and spring. So we're planning on closing it out in June."
However, once the road is closed up in the next few weeks, she's hoping that the street can be opened to traffic after construction has ended for the day and on weekends.
The total cost is $18.7 million funding is through the state and the federally funded Accelerated Bridge Program. The contract was awarded to J.H. Maxymillian Inc.
"It's our understanding that they will do one lane at a time with possible closures at night. So we're trying to coordinate that bridge project with what's going on on Mass Ave and not having the Brown Street bridge," Macksey said.
"That project will be a very long project so just everyone needs to be patient with that."
She had hoped for the Mohawk marquee to be in place by the tree lighting on Wednesday but it is not to be. It should be reinstalled before the end of the year, she said.
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North Adams Firefighters Battle Mass Ave Blaze
Staff Reports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Firefighters are currently trying to contain a structure fire at 1493 Mass Ave.
Occupants are reportedly out of the building. The entire building appears to be a loss.
Firefighters responded to a structure fire around 10:30 Wednesday morning.
As of noon, the structure's roof has collapsed. Two hours into the engagement, the flames continue to reignite.
Neighbors reported that they can smell the smoke in their homes.
The fire reportedly started in the back of the home that is across the street from Ashton Ave. Black smoke could be seen billowing out of the home's windows.
Firefighters attempted to cut through the roof to meet the fire but had to abort this effort.
A set of wood stairs on the house next door caught on fire, but firefighters were able to douse them.
An All Call has been put out. Williamstown Fire Department have responded with their tanker. The Clarksburg Fire Department also responded. A Pownal Tanker is the most recent vehicle to arrive.
Mayor Jennifer Macksey is on scene handing water and sports drinks to the hot and tired firefighters. EMS set up a misting station.
The McCann School Committee voted to prepare $275,000 for a Massachusetts School Building Authority feasibility study if the school is accepted into repair program.
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The Select Board on Monday voted to suspend police operations in the town of 1,700 at the end of shift on Friday. That's when Police Chief Michael Williams will retire after 40 years on the force, the last 21 as chief. click for more
The children will sing popular children's music, traditional spiritual songs and African cultural pieces. Performances are free and open to the public though attendees are encouraged to arrive early to get a seat. click for more
Superintendent James Brosnan led the School Committee through the new HVAC shop building that the state Department of Education will inspect on Sept. 19. click for more
Supporters and beneficiaries celebrated the 10th anniversary of the organization's work as an economic catalyst for the region at a dinner at Studio 9 at Porches Inn on Thursday.
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