Pittsfield Commission OKs Demo of Multifamilies
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Disrepaired houses at 154 Francis Ave. and 224 Fourth St. will be demolished as part of the city's yearly efforts to address condemned properties.
The Historical Commission earlier this month OK'd the demolition of the two multifamily homes built in the 1800s, and continued the decision to raze the former home of Fannie Cooper, Price Memorial A.M.E Zion Church's founder.
"If we can pause and see the inside to see if it's really too far gone, but also to let people be a little more aware that it belonged to a legend," Chair John Dickson said about the John Street home.
"Perhaps in a month's time or at the next meeting, we'll be ready to move forward."
The Francis Avenue property, built in 1863, has a compromised roof, making it difficult to rehabilitate and vulnerable to the elements. Heirs have not maintained the property, and it has seen code enforcement actions from the city since 2018, now marked with an ‘X' because it is unsafe to enter.
The Fourth Street home, built in 1893, is in a similar situation.
Community Development & Housing Program Manager Nate Joyner said the city would like the John Street and Fourth Street properties demolished this year, and the other in 2026.
The commissioners didn't act on a request to demolish 86 John St., built in 1893, because they wanted more information on the home that once belonged to the prominent local faith leader. Cooper founded the Price Memorial on Linden Street and was the sister of Dorothy Amos, for whom the West Street park is named.
The property, held in Cooper's estate, has been vacant since 2018 but has been monitored by the city for code enforcement since 2008. It is believed to have begun falling into disrepair around 2013.
"And then in 2018 it was left vacant, and it's just been in deteriorating condition since then," Joyner reported.
The taxes are too advanced to be put forward for receivership, he said, and the property has been accruing penalties and interest for nonpayment of taxes since 2020. Receivership is a legal process where a court-appointed, neutral third party takes control and management of a residential property, and Pittsfield tries to identify two or three properties for this process each year.
Joyner recommended that commissioners not enter the property because of its unsanitary condition and other concerns, like mold.
The city is tracking around 80 vacant residential buildings. Reportedly, many heirs see shuttered properties as a cost burden and don't have the resources for needed repairs.
The city can respond with a tax title, when the local government places a lien on the property to secure the tax debt, or a lengthy tax title taking in land court. Buildable vacant land is made available to Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity or the West Side Legends for affordable housing.
Tags: blight, demolition,
