River Street plans: a private development and a public park

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The interest and possible investment of an anonymous benefactor in property on the north side of River Street in North Adams is helping to key both a park proposal for the south side of the street as well as more affordable housing in the neighborhood. The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art sits on the other side of Hoosic River from all the property bought by a private investor on the north side of River Street and from a majority of that in a proposed park to run along the south side of the street. At a news conference in his office Tuesday, March 26, North Adams Mayor John Barrett III said that with news reports digging and false rumors swirling, “We thought that we would give as much of the picture today that we can without really going ahead with the plans prior to their submission to the planning board.” Those present foresee the still-undisclosed plans for the north side of the street going before the planning board in May. Last summer, Barrett started looking at doing something to three properties on the north side of River Street to try and implement the city’s first-time home buyers program. “So this was a natural extension because, more than anything else, it needed some immediate attention,” he said. “It was also a very ugly looking area, yet most attractive when you look at the architecture.” When it came time to proceed with the project, city officials realized they did not have the money to make it happen. At this time the mayor turned to MASS MoCA Director Joseph Thompson, and they turned to the private, nonprofit MASS MoCA foundation “to see if we couldn’t save those properties as much as possible and at the same time revitalize the River Street area,” Barrett said. Barrett stressed that preparatory efforts on a long-term plan to revitalize the River Street corridor came well before MASS MoCA. “The nice part of MASS MoCA is that because of its success we’ve now started to attract private sector investment, and a willingness to invest in an area which has really been blight for several years,” Barrett said. Thompson said that toward the end of the summer season he and Barrett were up in the mezzanine gallery of Building 5 at MASS MoCA, which has a view northward, toward River Street. “I was lamenting the view for two reasons: one, it was unattractive, the houses had fallen into very bad disrepair, abandoned cars,” he said. “It was not one of the most beautiful aspects of North Adams, and it was the one place that people saw North Adams from inside the museum. “I was also lamenting it for a second reason, which was the buildings themselves ... were beautiful. They’re architecturally distinguished; they’re connected historically to the MASS MoCA complex, because they’ve provided over the last hundred years housing for people who worked at the complex,” Thompson said. “So it seemed like potentially a very great asset that was a tremendous liability.” Thompson asked around among those involved with MASS MoCA. “And one of these people, this individual, expressed some interest,” Thompson said. “He expressed interest because he said he thought that if it was a gesture that would send a signal and that would help improve the neighborhood and encourage private-sector investment that he would indeed take a look at it — not because it was necessarily a good business plan or anything like that. “He saw it as essentially a way to make a further investment in the redevelopment of downtown North Adams,” he added. This conversation took place last fall. The man prefers to stay anonymous until the plan is revealed. North Adams attorney John DeRosa, who was present at the press conference, is the man’s legal counsel, Thompson said. “They haven’t frankly decided exactly what they’re going to do. They’re undertaking all kinds of feasibility studies, trying to determine how the buildings can be used,” he added. “They feel it’s premature to speculate what that might be.” The MASS MoCA Foundation was delighted with the interest “because it was turning what was frankly an eyesore into something that will be quite attractive,” Thompson said, “and obviously it’s our closest neighbor, so we were quite encouraged by the willingness of this party to make what we consider to be a grand and public-spirited investment.” Thompson said a bed-and-breakfast is a prime possibility that is being explored: “Secondly, it would not be a Motel 6 or a Super 8 or something like that.” “They’ve got a lot of work to do to try to figure out how to make that development make sense over a two or three year time sequence,” he added. DeRosa explained about the River Street Properties Nominee Trust, the company in whose name at least seven properties on River Street to the east of Veazie Street have been bought. He said that it’s common to take title in a business real-estate transaction in the name of a nominee trust: “A nominee trust is a trust that’s peculiar to Massachusetts; it’s a trust whose sole function is to hold title; it does not in any way represent who the equitable owner is. And the role of the trustee is to take title to the property, and to hold it and make it available for the principal. “And in this instance that’s exactly what we have done,” DeRosa said. “My role is as attorney and on behalf of the principal, and is certainly not as an equity owner in the project or the property.” There are a variety of good reasons why a person or group would form such a trust, and one is to have the luxury of some time to put together plans before going public in the governmental site plan review process, he said. “So, one should not find anything unusual or wrong with that,” DeRosa said. “Quite frankly, it’s a very common way to do it.” He added that there are no public funds or nonprofit foundation funds involved in the project: “It’s a private investment.” Barrett said the man has asked no public support for the project. He added that the private investment in the project could end up at more than $3 million. He said he had no idea how much the cost of the the park project might be. The mayor said since late last year he has looked at creating a park area on the south side of River Street. The proposed park would extend from park land that already exists across the river from the Massachusetts Electric site on Brown Street east on River Street up to Marshall Street, and then extending east past the Marshall Street up to Holden Street. The park would also have some period lighting. “That park along the water bank will include the removal of most of those properties. Now, at this stage of the game there is Urban Self-Help grant(s) available ... just for this particular purpose,” Barrett said. “Much of this property is contaminated. It’s the site of former garages, as well as other contaminants that would be in the soil.” The state is pushing for cleanups of such areas, and a city would be able to receive money from the Brownfields program, as well as the Urban Self-Help grant program. Such money would match funds put up by the city for the project, he said. Barrett said that hopefully negotiations would lead to sale of these properties, but this may not work out: “If negotiations fail, obviously we will look at other measures.” He said he hopes that by the end of this summer, the city will be in position to apply for the grants and purchase the properties. “There has been a willingness on a couple of the owners to sell. And of course we have to ... hire appraisers and do the appraisals on the property, as required,” he said. “Where that’s going to take us, I don’t know at this stage of the game. But it’s going to make for a very nice project.” This process actually began over 12 years ago in the Freeman Grove area, with efforts to rebuild Bracewell Avenue, Chase Avenue, North Holden Street, and River Street, the mayor said. Through the first-time home buyers program, single-family homes and a couple of duplexes will be built on North Holden Street on land where dilapidated houses have been knocked down, Barrett said. “We hope to be able to replicate the homes that were there on much smaller scale,” he said. “To avoid any type of gentrification or that type of thing, we’re going to be making housing available so that people can own their own homes in this neighborhood at a very reasonable price. It’s going to be affordable housing for working families.” Barrett said that in the whole mix of proposals not even four or five families will have to be relocated.
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

 

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.)  The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.  

 

 

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

 

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few.  All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

 

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house.  New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house.  New paver patio in the back yard.

 

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

 

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

 

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

 

 

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

 

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

 

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

 

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

 

What do the current owners love about this home?

 

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

 

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

 

 

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

 

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.  

 

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

 

 

 

 

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