WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- A delay in obtaining the certificate of occupancy for a 54-unit apartment building on Water Street forced some tenants to postpone their moves this week.

 

The "River Lofts" apartments, the third and final planned phase of development at the Cable Mills property, is funded in part by $480,000 in town contributions to the developer.

 

On Friday morning, iBerkshires.com heard from would-be occupants that they had to change their plans at the last minute while the four-story building awaited final sign-off from the town's building inspector.

 

"We are very close but there are a few small punch list items that need to be finalized," Town Manager Robert Menicocci wrote in a midday Friday email. "Our building inspector is working closely with them each day to help them get their c/o. We are hopeful that it can happen in the next day or so."

 

Developer David Traggorth of Hanover, Mass., firm Causeway Development said that such delays are not uncommon and are taken into account in the initial leases of new developments like River Lofts.

 

"As is typical with new construction, the final inspection process involves several approvals, and timing can shift," Traggorth wrote in reply to an email seeking information. "Given this reality, resident leases anticipate potential construction-related delays and address changes to occupancy dates and rent adjustments while an apartment is unavailable.

 

"We’re completing the final inspection and certificate of occupancy process at River Lofts, and a handful of residents have had to adjust their move-in dates. We understand that changing an expected moving date is disruptive and our leasing and marketing team is in touch with each affected resident, working through individual needs on a case-by-case basis."

 

Williamstown financially supported two of the three phases of the Cable Mills development through Community Preservation Act funding.

 

First came an initial $1.5 million approved by town meeting back in 2007 toward the restoration of an existing mill building and conversion to apartments. In that first phase of the project, 13 of 61 units are permenantly income-restricted for residents making 80 percent or below the area median income.

 

Phase 3, the River Lofts, is new construction that creates 28 income-restricted units at up to 60 percent AMI among the 54 units. In 2022, town meeting approved a $400,000 CPA grant toward the project. Two years later, the town's Affordable Housing Trust decided to contribute $80,000 from its coffers, mostly derived from CPA money as well.

 

"I'm thrilled to report that half of the 54 [River Lofts] apartments are spoken for before completion with move in dates over the next few months, which is a testament to the demand for this type of housing and desirability of Williamstown," Traggorth wrote on Friday. "River Lofts represents a major achievement for Williamstown and this formally vacant industrial site: 54 beautiful new homes with amazing views in a walkable, accessible, mixed-income community near downtown. It expands housing choices, supports downtown businesses and adds significant recurring property-tax revenue for the town."

 

Causeway Development plans a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the River Lofts apartments on Friday morning.