TURNERS FALLS — Demolition is imminent at the site of the former Cumberland Farms at 38 Avenue A.
The property, now owned by the Montague Economic Development and Industrial Corporation, was slated to become the site of Turners Falls’ first new downtown-style building since 1950, with a four-story mixed-use structure proposed by New England Wound Care Medical Director Sohail Waien in early 2020. The pandemic then delayed demolition of the existing structure, as well as construction of the new building.
Later, the project was reduced to a two-story building for financial reasons before falling through altogether by May 2022. The town then issued a request for proposals (RFP), but received no interest. This prompted the town to consider demolition options.
“MEDIC has concluded that the market cannot currently support new construction and the building is approaching a tipping point of becoming a blight and a public safety hazard,” warrant article background from May’s Annual Town Meeting reads. “The rubber membrane roof has failed, and the mansard roof is showing significant signs of failure.”
A vote at this Town Meeting appropriated $50,000 to fund demolition and debris removal for the 2,200-square-foot cinder block building, with $12,099 raised from the unexpended balance of Article 1 of the May 5, 2012 Special Town Meeting — which appropriated $30,000 for the restoration of 38 Avenue A — and $37,901 coming from free cash. The Montague Selectboard then voted on June 26 to accept a $24,970 bid from Associated Building Wreckers Inc. to demolish the building.
Assistant Town Administrator Walter Ramsey said the contractors have a demolition permit in hand and that demolition would be a “three- or four-day job, tops.” Once the building is torn down, the property will be loamed and seeded, Ramsey said.
There has been no decision as to what may come of the property after the lot has been cleared of debris. One possibility would be to build a new Carnegie Public Library, which has been discussed briefly by the Montague Economic Development and Industrial Corporation and is the subject of optimism from Library Director Caitlin Kelley.
Kelley said she “almost fell out of [her] chair” when Ramsey said he could feasibly envision a new library at 38 Avenue A. She called the location a “natural fit,” echoing town officials’ enthusiasm about its close proximity to Town Hall, the Great Falls Discovery Center and downtown.
The current library has considerable accessibility limitations, according to Kelley. Library trustees voted on Oct. 24, 2022, to have a feasibility study prepared to explore the possibility of a new library.
Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.