TURNERS FALLS — The plans for a new building at 38 Avenue A have been reduced, due to unexpected financial issues with the previous scope of the project. However, the developer and the town committee that oversees the property both still expect the project to continue.
The original vision for the property — home to an empty building that was once a gas station convenience store — involved a building with three or four stories, including retail on the first floor, and offices and apartments on the upper floors. The project is managed by Sohail Waien, who is aiming to use space in the new building for his medical practice, New England Wound Care.
That original vision has been scaled down, likely to a smaller, two-story building.
Meeting with the Montague Economic Development and Industrial Corporation (EDIC) last week, Waien said his financial backers had found issues in the financial structure of the project, leading them to think that the larger building may be economically unsustainable.
“I came to realize this was not going to work in the current size,” Waien said.
The new design is not only physically smaller, but probably won’t involve residential apartments, Waien said.
The EDIC voted to accept Waien’s new concept, but responses within the committee were initially mixed.
Member James Mussoni said he was disappointed with the design of the new building compared to the original plan. On the other hand, member Ella Ingraham said she thinks the smaller building will fit in better with the existing buildings in that area.
Town Planner Walter Ramsey said that the new building will still address key economic needs in downtown Turners Falls, particularly the shortage of retail space. But he suggested some disappointment at the reduction of new housing.
“Yes, it would be great to have more housing units downtown. But if the market’s not there, then it’s not there,” Ramsey said.
“I think what we have here is something that is fundable, it works for the developer and it’s going to enhance the downtown still,” he continued. “I think it still honors the proposal that was originally submitted and approved. It just reflects the realities of the market.”
Construction had previously been expected to start in the summer of 2021. Waien said the change of plans may not affect the construction timeline, but that issues in coordinating with designers, financial backers and construction workers may potentially end up delaying the work.
Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.