image description — The former Sun Cleaners on River Street has been slated for demolition for some time. Several weeks ago, the parcel was cleared and the building itself came down last week.

Former North Adams Dry Cleaning Building Demolished

Staff Reports05:42PM / Tuesday, November 22, 2022Print Story | Email Story

The 1865 structure and its 1960s brick addition were demolished last Thursday.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The former Sun Cleaners finally came down last week years after the city was first approached to take over the troubled structure.

The city took possession of the former dry cleaning shop in 2019 as part of a portfolio of properties transferred by the now-dissolved Housing Opportunities Inc. That process took several years because of site testing and over concerns of liabilities for cleanup.

Testing found high enough levels of contamination by solvents used in dry cleaning and some petroleum. A state Brownsfield grant is being used for the demolition and remediation of the quarter-acre property.

The HOI board, which was also the North Adams Housing Authority, was not clear on why the first-time homebuyer agency acquired the property back in 2008, two years after the business closed. The director and the board members had changed over since that time.

Both the cleaners and the building had a long history in North Adams. The dry-cleaning business was established by John Polumbo in 1923 as Berkshire Cleaners on Center Street. A victim of urban renewal, Polumbo moved to 109 and 111 River St. in 1961. His son, David, later operated the business along with a gift and party supply store and pool supply store. David Polumbo died in 2013.

Parts of the building date to 1865 when it was constructed by Jacob Coon, who operated a grocery at 109 River and had a livery in the back. The barn was taken down with the building.

The structure had been a single-family house before the brick facade was added on. A sign noting it as the Jacob Coon house was attached in 2002 and the building was listed on the city's historical survey. Coon was active in local politics and was captain of the Wilson Hose Company. He died at age 81 in 1916.

Tags: demolition,

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
03:33PM / Friday, October 16, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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