NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A protective barrier was put up around the front of the Dowlin Block on Monday morning, signaling that some work may be in store for the 1895 structure. 

 

The building was purchased in 2017 by a group including New York developer Veselko Buntic, who is now the principal owner. Buntic, who was busy coordinating workers at the site, said only that they "were doing some work," apparently on the facade.

 

The building from 101 Main to 107 is now closed off, along with part of the sidewalk. Scaffolding was erected inside the plywood fencing for the first floor. 

 

The building has been empty for nearly a decade as prior owner Scarafoni & Associates had planned to demolish the back of the building and restore the apartments. Buntic told city officials two years ago that he was planning a hotel in the six-story building. At the time, he had put in a bid on the adjacent Mohawk Theater with the idea of using it as event space for the proposed hotel. 

 

The incoming administration nixed rejected his bid and put out another request for proposals for the iconic theater, with no viable candidates to date. 

 

In the meantime, Buntic moved ahead with the renovation of the historic Porter Block on Eagle Street, which he is developing into eight apartments with two retail spaces on the ground floor on the Eagle Street side. 

 

Progress on the building has occurred over the past year with the brick structure being pointed, painted and new windows installed. Recently, the scaffolding reappeared on the North Church Street side as the renovations move into the interior. 

 

That's not the only work happening downtown. Several dumpsters of debris have been taken out of the former Moderne Studios on Eagle Street. The building, vacant for decades, was purchased by the Barry Group Real Estate at auction last December. 

 

There had been some few attempts by the previous owners to secure the building but no significant work was done on it and the brick exterior is in poor shape. It has been cordoned off with yellow hazard tape. 

 

No plans have been submitted for either the Dowlin Block or the Moderne Studio building at this point.