Williamstown Property Auctioned for $550K

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
07:02PM / Monday, June 23, 2025Print Story | Email Story

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — A North Adams man had the high bid last week on the former Chenail's garden center.

Brian Intraversato outbid three other parties to purchase the 877 Simonds Road property for $550,000 on June 17. JJ Manning Auctioneers conducted the bidding.

The property encompasses 7.1 acres of mixed-use land with eight structures, including a two-family home and two greenhouses. The south end of the property is bisected by Broad Brook; about 1.5 acres of the lot (21 percent) is on the south side of the waterway or includes the brook itself. It is assessed by the town at $632,900.

The late Richard Chenail and his wife, Donna, owned the property for 40 years. Their daughter Pam Shea continued to run the garden center after Richard's death in 2011. The stand closed last fall.

Intraversato said he is excited and not planning any immediate changes to the property, which includes a hair salon and karate studio as tenants.

"It's gonna be as is, as of right now, but eventually, potentially, subdivision. We'll see where we go with it," he said.

"We're looking to make upgrades as needed, and work with the tenants. We'll make sure the tenants feel comfortable and they understand that it's not going to be a radical change."

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Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:04AM / Tuesday, June 09, 2026

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.

But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.

"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."

"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.

Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.

The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.

Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.

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