Williamstown's Cable Mills Project Still Possible

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — An announcement of state funding for affordable housing projects last month in Boston did not mention a project currently in development for Williamstown, but that does not necessarily mean the project will not be funded at some point.

The Feb. 7 announcement of $67 million to build or preserve 1,326 units of housing across the commonwealth was referenced at Tuesday's meeting of the Community Preservation Act Committee by Town Manager Peter Fohlin.

Fohlin clarified Friday that the announcement did not say the renovation of the former Cable Mills plant would not be funded. It only failed to list it among the 23 projects in this round of funding.

Recently, other town leaders have indicated privately they have reason to be optimistic the owner of the former Cable Mills, Mitchell Properties of Boston, plans to restart the long-delayed project as early as this spring.

On Mitchell Properties' website Friday morning, it listed the project as starting in "early summer 2013."

The planning on the project began more than a decade ago but ran into trouble when the original developer died and the financial collapse hit in 2008. The mill redevelopment is dependent on a mix of public and private financing.

The website for the project refers to a plan for "61 homes within the former mill buildings and 21 homes within new construction."

Among the projects that are on the list announced last month by the commonwealth's secretary of housing and economic development is one project in Berkshire County.

The non-profit Preservation of Affordable Housing LLC will receive $2.75 million in state subsidies and $380,512 in federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits to preserve 101 units of affordable housing at the Central Annex/Union Court in Pittsfield.

Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:04AM / Tuesday, June 09, 2026

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.

 

But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.

 

"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."

 

"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.

 

Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.

 

The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.

 

Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.