Debra Turnbull, assistant to the town manager, and Allen Caldwell, project superintendent for NEI General Contracting hold the final building permits issued Friday for Cable Mills.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Cable Mills redevelopment on Water Street took another step forward on Friday when the town issued the final building permits for the development of 61 housing units in the historic mill building.

 

The project superintendent from NEI General Contracting picked up the paper work on Friday morning.

 

The contractor started work on the project earlier this fall, utilizing partial permits issued by the town's Building Department.

 

"The partial building permit allowed them to get a jump start," Town Manager Peter Fohlin said on Friday. "They started with demolition, which they have to do."

 

Fohlin said he was not aware of work that was being delayed in anticipation of the final permits.

 

"This was a well-coordinated effort between the architects, the contractor and the building department," he said.

 

Developer Mitchell Properties of Boston has told the town the project is on track for a December, 2015 opening.

 

When it is completed, Phase 1 of the Cable Mills property project will include 13 income-sensitive units among the 61.

 

That affordable housing dimension of the project, along the historic preservation and the creation of a river walk along the adjacent Green River, led to the town supporting the project to the tune of $1.5 million in Community Preservation Act funds.

 

Mitchell Properties estimates the total project cost at $27 million.