Vacant North Adams Bank Being Developed for Retail, Public Space
The schematic of the layout of the plans for the former bank.
The location will have extensive exterior alterations with the creation of a park, amphitheater, ramp and rooftop access. Interior work will largely exist of retail outfitting, accessibility issues, and restrooms.
The Planning Board only approved a general retail permit for the structure at 90 Main St. but Salvatore Perry also outlined plans for the property.
Perry, also behind the Greylock Works development, looked to the old Sanborn Fire Insurance maps of Main Street for how the block had changed. In the early 1900s, there were more than 30 retail businesses and 15 residences on that block.
"Today, over 40 distinct addresses have been consolidated into four with no retail businesses ... a vibrant density has been replaced with asphalt driveways and parking lots," he told planners. "The loss of foot traffic creates a negative feedback loop suffocates the viability of retail which in turn depresses property values limiting investment that is crucial to tenant recruitment."
Latent Build is looking to "break the cycle" with "substantial improvements" to the full 20,000-square-foot site that will create a pedestrian destination.
The 6,000 square feet each on the first and basement floors will be developed for retail use, including a possible cafe, and there's an idea of childhood education in conjunction with the outdoor space.
Perry said All Saints Church, which abuts the property to the south, will provide a dramatic backdrop for the amphitheater and the winding path around the property will double as an accessible ramp to the roof.
While much of the work will be done in the current parking lot in the back — including native plantings that will change color as the seasons pass — but not much in the front.
"We think it's a phenomenal building. We have a lot of respect for the design, we think it needs some cleaning up and some repurposing, some signage," he said.
The site is owned by Ginko on Main Street LLC, which has granted 20 years exclusive possession of the property to Latent Builds as the developer. Jack and Suzy Wadsworth, behind Ginko, are Latent's development partners. The partners last year revealed the "Exponential" light installation in the former bank that is still operating.
Perry also addressed the loss of parking behind the bank and its impact on the adjacent Boxcar Media building owned by Osmin Alvarez that also houses iBerkshires.com.
"So we're sensitive to the fact that reduction of parking can raise concerns in any community, and we strive to be good neighbors while advocating for positive urban design," he said. "We intend to convey a triangular portion of the property to him, and sharing vehicular access to his rear yard in perpetuity."
In response to questions, Perry said he could not say what retail might be in the building, suggesting that a revamped property would attract the right clients.
Planner Rye Howard described the east end of Main Street as a "kind of like a waste land" and having something very visual "would be lovely."
"I think that's what we're here for," responded Perry.
The board also approved new plans for Berkshire Catering at 708 State Road. The project was approved last year to transform the the vacant garage as support space for the catering business, part of Bay State Hospitality.
Colleen Taylor said the plans are now to demolish the structure and build new as the costs were the same.
The new building will be 1,672 square feet with a 20-by-21-foot open carport. The main difference is the carport will be to the side and not as easily seen from the road.
Taylor had her architect there but did not have all the details such as colors and lighting. She anticipated a white or cream building with gables and a metal roof (which sounded much like the company's Craft Food Barn on Curran Highway) with some security lighting and plantings for screening.
The plans were approved on condition Taylor keep the board informed on color choices, lighting and signage, if any.
Information on color choices were also a condition for Ashland Storage LLC, owned by David Atwell.
Atwell is planning to construct two large metal self-storage structures on vacant property purchased from John Duquette on Ashland Street.
One will be 20 feet by 160 feet with 32 total 10 by 10 units, 16 on each side, and the other will be 15 feet by 180 feet with 18 15 by 10 units in one row.
Charlie LaBatt of Guntlow & Associates said the construction would reduce the amount of impermeable surface and will consist of the cement pads for the units and a gravel drive. The site will operate from dawn to dusk and there will not be any utilities, including security lighting. If lighting were to be considered later, he said it would likely be solar powered.
Both Taylor and LaBatt were questioned about water runoff. Taylor said she would be working with the same company that did the Craft Food Barn, which has had no issues with the recent heavy rains. LaBatt said the Ashland Street property is on a rise that currently water generally flows to the back and if any does make it to the road, there's a catch basin.
In other business:
• A housing proposal was pulled by the applicant prior to the meeting.
• The board had planned to discuss a zoning proposal but the joint public hearing held an hour prior with the City Council was canceled for lack of quorum of the Planning Board. The hearing will be rescheduled.
Tags: bank, Planning Board,
