The college is recommending people who normally use the lot between the field house and the Facilities Building to plan on parking in the Weston Field/Taconic Golf Club lot, the municipal lot on Spring Street or the former town garage site on Water Street during the demolition.
A moving truck last week pulls away from the side door of Williams College's Towne Field House.
Williams College Senior Project Manager Shaun Garvey talks about the demolition plan before the Conservation Commission.
An overhead view of Towne Field House with is labeled with features of the demolition plan as part of the college's application to the town.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Conservation Commission Thursday gave the green light to Williams College's plan to demolish its Towne Field House.
The college was before the panel to request a negative determination of applicability under the Wetlands Protection Act for the demolition project near Christmas Brook.
The commissioners found that the college, which plans silt sacks in all storm drains and a silt fence along Latham Street, which runs between the field house and the brook, had adequate erosion measures planned.
The plan also calls for a wash area for trucks entering or leaving the demolition site. Williams Senior Project Manager Shaun Garvey said the water from the wash station will be filtered on-site before being discharged.
Prior to the meeting, Garvey said the college hopes to begin demolition on or about Nov. 6 and it hopes to have it wrapped up before the end of the calendar year.
Perhaps the biggest public impact during that time will be the loss of parking spaces around the field house.
Garvey Thursday said that all of the spaces in the western half of the faculty and staff lot adjacent to the field house will be lost as parking spots during the demolition.
The row of spaces nearest to the field house will be inside the fence surrounding the demo site. The second row of spaces will temporarily be part of the driving lane into the parking lot and job site.
Including the permitted spots to the west of the field house, between 60 and 70 current parking spaces will be lost during the demolition.
"Parking is going to be a challenge, but only for about two months," Garvey said. "Once demolition is over, I'll take the fenced-in area in to about the perimeter of the field house itself."
Williams' last home football game against Wesleyan University is Nov. 4, two days before the target date for the demolition project.
Garvey said that the college is recommending people who normally use the lot between the field house and the Facilities Building to plan on parking in the Weston Field/Taconic Golf Club lot, the municipal lot on Spring Street or the former town garage site on Water Street during the demolition.
As for the demolition itself, Garvey explained that the college plans, for now, only to raze the existing Town Field House structure to grade and not do any excavation. In fact, the field house's indoor track will remain in place after the building comes down while the college comes up with a plan for that part of campus.
The track will be fenced in and off-limits to the public, however.
"It won't be like a public playground,'" Garvey said.
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Cozy Place to Be
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Are you looking for a move-in ready home close to the downtown area? Then this just might be the house you're looking for.
Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 193 Cold Spring Road.
This 1950 single-family has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The house is 2,184 square feet on a little less than an acre of land. The price is $469,900.
The house not only comes with a 3.5-car basement garage but also a detached two-car garage with additional storage space above. The house includes the kitchen appliances like the dishwasher, range, and refrigerator, and has a fireplace, screened porch, and back deck. The home is also generator-ready.
We spoke to Suzette Lyons with Burnham and Gold Real Estate, which has the listing.
What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?
Lyons: Location, location, location!! This property is a short distance from downtown Spring Street. It's nestled conveniently away from the road and provides substantial privacy. Plus, the home has a well-maintained exterior and interior.
What was your first impression when you walked into the home?
What a gem! The workmanship is lovely and shows the home has been loved. There is an abundance of space with four bedrooms for family or work/home office space.
The opportunities are endless.
Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?
The home was built in the mid-1950s by the owner of Yeadon Farm Dairy on the edge of the farm, now the Thornliebank/Buxton Hill neighborhood, with lumber cut from the property.
Along with thick plaster walls and ceilings on the first floor, quality craftsmanship is abundant throughout.
The house has been owned by the same family who built it and the grandson has made every effort to match the original design and style with all of the renovations, including custom-milled natural woodwork for the private second-floor primary bedroom suite. Family pride in ownership is evident in every space of this well-constructed and maintained house now waiting for a new family to call it "home."
What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?
This home appeals to many buyers. There are four bedrooms sufficient for a full-time family, singles or second homeowners. Opportunity for in-law suite. Also, ample room for a home/office business. Lots of storage space with 3 1/2 garages and additional storage space above the oversized two-car garage.
Are there any standout design features?
Lots of personal touches with natural woodwork throughout, freshly painted light colors to maximize natural light, new flooring in several rooms. Spacious four-season room for relaxing or home/office use. Also, offers a beautiful primary suite on the second floor.
What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?
A peaceful retreat in the woods. Cozy up to the fireplace on winter nights, enjoy the morning coffee on the back porch or the four-season sunroom. Spend the afternoon gardening in your beautiful yard and connecting with nature. A pet-friendly home offering a fenced yard and durable flooring. A family friendly home directly on the school bus routes.
How would you describe the atmosphere or feel of this home?
The home has a welcoming feel with natural elements offering a place of comfort and belonging.
You can find out more about this house on its listing here.
*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.
From couture to canines and from crochet to carols, Williamstown Holiday Walk has you covered if you want to get into the spirit of the season this weekend. click for more
The Williamstown Chamber of Commerce reflected on this past year's success and the launch of a new coupon sales promotion at its annual meeting last week at Greylock Works.
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