Arnold Place Apartment Owner Struck by Tragedy
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| Franklin Perras speaks to the City Council last month. |
Lawrence Perras was found lying unconscious on Route 8 by a passer-by around 10:30 Monday night about a quarter mile from his Holmes Road home. According to media reports, Perras suffered "substantial head lacerations"; he was pronounced dead this morning at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield.
Franklin Perras had asked for more time to rehabilitate his building on Arnold Place because he had envisioned it as a way to support himself and his brother, who had serious health issues, in their retirement.
Hinsdale Police told The Berkshire Eagle that Perras did not appear to have been hit by a car and there was no evidence of foul play. He was believed to have tripped on a curbing near the Mobile gas station on Route 8 and suffered a skull fracture.
Franklin Perras, also of Holmes Road, was expected to provide the City Council with plans this evening on rehabilitating the Arnold Place structure, which he planned to renovate into five apartments.
The building is one of 13 being targeted for demolition as part of Mayor John Barrett III's initiative to combat blight in the city. Arnold Place was among the first four structures brought before the council; the other three, one on Harrison Avenue and two on East Main Street, were ordered razed or rehabilitated in two weeks.
Perras, however, was given an extra two weeks to come with a construction plan and time line because councilors believed he was sincere - if naive - about the bringing his property up to code.
