MILLERS FALLS — It cost Bob Obear just $1 to purchase several buildings on East Main Street from the town government.
The buildings, which were dilapidated and in disrepair, were sold to Obear, a local developer, through the town’s Commercial Homesteading Program. Now they are all in the process of being renovated, with one housing a brand new laundry center that opened Wednesday.
Officials and community members from Montague gathered Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the opening of the Millers Falls Laundry Company and the successful renovation of one of the historic buildings through the program.
Thirty Main St., was in disrepair when the town took ownership in 2012. It since sold it to Obear who has done a historic renovation on the property and since rented one of spaces to the Laundry Company. It has 10 washers and dryers and will have three part-time employees.
Above the laundry business there is a three-bedroom apartment that Obear has also rented out, with tenant moving in soon.
Walter Ramsey, the Montague town planner, said the project is an example of the successful partnership the town can have with developers through the Commercial Homesteading Program.
“It definitely is having an impact here in Millers Falls,” Ramsey said.
Obear said he originally didn’t have interest in the project, but he eventually did a walk through and realized there was plenty he could do.
“A lot of people said I was crazy, but a lot of people hadn’t seen what was up here,” Obear said.
Selectmen as well as Frank Abbondanzio, the town administrator, were also present at the opening. Abbondanzio praised the work Obear had done so far on the properties and said buildings in disrepair, especially on a main street in town, can create additional economic issues.
“I think we’ve really turned the corner here,” Abbondanzio said.