Work Resumes On Adams' Jones BlockBy Andy McKeever
iBerkshires Staff
05:18AM / Saturday, April 28, 2012
Photos courtesy of Polonia Restoration.
Recent work has included insulation, planning and inspections.
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ADAMS, Mass. — Work on the Jones Block has resumed after town officials recently voiced concern over its progress.
According to Director of Community Development Donna Cesan, the developer sent an email to the town outlining a schedule for future work.
The outline, which is expected to be updated in two weeks, calls for the upstairs apartment to be completed by the end of May and the entire building to be renovated by the end of the year.
"He's really focused on trying to finish it up," Cesan said on Friday. "We conveyed to him a number of times that we want him to finish it."
Town officials were concerned with the project because work had stopped and the town was losing contact with developer Gerry Sanchez, president of Polonia Restoration.
Two years ago, the town used a $1 million grant for exterior work on the Park Street building, envisioning the historic building would be vital to its downtown revitalization plans — leaving some with a fear that the investment had gone to waste.
However, the Monday email has changed things in Town Hall. Cesan said the delays were caused partially in regard to finances. The local bank the developer was using had new personnel working on the project, she said, and they were sorting out finances with him.
"I've heard there has been a lot of talk with the bank," Cesan said.
In Monday's email to the town, Sanchez said he was scheduled to meet with the town building inspector to approve insulation and a vapor barrier so wallboard could be installed in the apartment.
He also outlined a series of interior work that has been completed since the last time he met with town officials. Sanchez was in a conference on Friday and could not elaborate on the work.
The completed work includes plumbing, insulation and vapor barriers in all of the first floor and preparation for the completion of the apartment.
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