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The 'gas station' at Canal and Eagle streets has been operating as just a kiosk for years.

North Adams Planners Say No-Gas Gas Station Has to Go

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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The planners approved two new business operations and an amendment to the Norad Mill plan. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The gas station that no longer serves gas will have to shut down the cigarette kiosk it's been running. 
 
The Planning Board on Monday had enough of the stalling related to the redevelopment of the corner of Eagle and Canal streets. 
 
"They are still operating their kiosk," said Chairman Michael Leary. "Obviously, there is no permit for that."
 
The owners of the site have been given years to come up with a plan to resume operations at the former BP gas station at the corner of Canal and River streets. 
 
A new company, Boon Properties LLC, has been on the agenda since December for a special permit application for new construction — but no plans were submitted. The application was postponed several times at the request of the owner but that ended on Monday. 
 
The board voted to deny the application without prejudice.
 
"The last contact we had was with the new partnership with this property," Building Inspector William Meranti told the board. "We met at the site with contractors, myself and the director of the Fire Department. Since that time we've heard nothing. Plans were discussed — then nothing."
 
Boon Properties bought both Eagle Street station and the Getty station on State Road from Summit Distributing LLC in late summer 2014. The BP station had long been without gas, its tanks and pumps removed, and at one point was ordered to shut off the lighted sign that was showing gas prices at 0.000
 
Two years ago, plans were proffered by Summit that made it through the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board. The kiosk and the pump canopies were to be demolished and and a new 1,400 square-foot convenience store built in the northeast corner with new pumps. The company later came back saying it was scaling down the project but never submitted new plans.
 
The Getty station was also proposed for a makeover, with Summit getting plans approved to demolish the current convenience store and build a new 4,000 square foot building back in 2015. The pumps had already been shut off at that point and the construction never occurred. The convenience store continued to operate for a couple more years but is now closed. 
 
The board has frequently brought up the kiosk as a being out of compliance and has pushed for the owners to come forward with a plan and queried the city solicitor on the legality of its operation. A gas station has been operating at that corner for more than 40 years. The site had been location of the Eagle Mill, which burned in 1971.
 
In other business, the Planning Board approved a special permit for Melanie St. Pierre to give art lessons at  151 Eagle St. St. Pierre said she planned to do day and evening classes for children and adults. 
 
"They come, build a project, learn new skills and get to take it home," she said. St. Pierre said she was in the process of getting permits for an overhanging sign. Her hours would be from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., although she only expected to have classes at night twice a week. 
 
Candace Wall, a licensed mental health counselor, was approved for offices in the Norad Mill to operate from 9 to 5. Wall said she can offer individual psychotherapy to adults, workshops, including self-care skills, and consultation to businesses seeking organizational change. 
 
The board also approved an amendment to the Norad Mill plans for a reception area on the third floor. The 3,500 square-foot space would have a preparation area with counter and handsink, but no cooking facilities. Owner David Moresi said restaurants or caterers would cook off-site and serve there. The space would be available for small groups, such as bridal showers, or for use by tenants for receptions or meetings. It can hold up to 50 people. 
 
Signage for the new Museum of Dog was approved but a flag banner for DeMarsico's Wine Cellar in the Norad Mill was put on hold. Moresi said he was not aware of the banner and planners wanted more information on how often it would be placed outside. They decided to ask the DeMarsicos to come to the next meeting. 
 
Edited on March 15 to clarify plans for rebuilding the BP station were approved by the Planning Board. 

Tags: gas station,   Planning Board,   

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Macksey Updates on Eagle Street Demo and Myriad City Projects

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

The back of Moderne Studio in late January. The mayor said the city had begun planning for its removal if the owner could not address the problems. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Moderne Studio building is coming down brick by brick on Eagle Street on the city's dime. 
 
Concerns over the failing structure's proximity to its neighbor — just a few feet — means the demolition underway is taking far longer than usual. It's also been delayed somewhat because of recent high winds and weather. 
 
The city had been making plans for the demolition a month ago because of the deterioration of the building, Mayor Jennifer Macksey told the City Council on Tuesday. The project was accelerated after the back of the 150-year-old structure collapsed on March 5
 
Initial estimates for demolition had been $190,000 to $210,000 and included asbestos removal. Those concerns have since been set aside after testing and the mayor believes that the demolition will be lower because it is not a hazardous site.
 
"We also had a lot of contractors who came to look at it for us to not want to touch it because of the proximity to the next building," she said. "Unfortunately time ran out on that property and we did have the building failure. 
 
"And it's an unfortunate situation. I think most of us who have lived here our whole lives and had our pictures taken there and remember being in the window so, you know, we were really hoping the building could be safe."
 
Macksey said the city had tried working with the owner, who could not find a contractor to demolish the building, "so we found one for him."
 
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