NBCC Executive Director Alan Bashevkin addresses the Planning Board on Monday night about plans to develop a neighborhood center on River Street.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Northern Berkshire Community Coalition is opening a neighborhood community center on River Street.
The Planning Board on Monday night approved plans to reconstruct the former Homestead Bar into a place where residents of the Houghton, River and Bracewell Avenue area can gather.
"Among the many programs we operate are neighborhood programs that strive to build neighborhood leadership and identity," said Alan Bashevkin, NBCC executive director. "We were really excited when given the opportunity to look at this specific building as a partnership between the UNO organization and the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, to house a neighborhood center."
Further plans for the structure are scheduled to be discussed at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, but Mayor Richard Alcombright provided the board with some background in how the concept came about.
The building, the former Homestead Bar, had been eyed as a club house by a local motorcycle group to the consternation of both the city and nearby residents. But the property was purchased in November 2013 by John Wadsworth, a partner in the nearby Porches Inn, operating as Ginko Power LLC and has been vacant since.
The idea of a community center came about during a recent discussion between the mayor and Wadsworth about the building potential. Alcombright said he remembered the substations that had been in a few of the neighborhoods that offered after-school programming, mentoring and "passive" police presence.
"Then the funding went away and they went away, as do so many things," he said. "I think this is going to bring that same spirit back to this neighborhood."
Wadsworth will continue to own the building and is footing the bill for the reconstruction; Bashevkin said NBCC will take out a five-year lease on the property. The city has made a commitment to regrade and possibly pave an empty lot behind it and Goodyear for public parking.
Bashevkin hoped the United Neighborhood Organization center will have lots of traffic of the pedestrian kind since its purpose is to offer a place for nearby residents.
"I think it's a great use for this building," said Planner Kyle Hanlon, noting NBCC has "become kind of a role model for other communities."
The structure's interior will be completely reconstructed with new wall, ceilings, floors, doors, windows and roof. The building will include office space, community meetings rooms and classroom space and two handicapped accessible bathrooms.
The Burr & McCallum Architect design for the concrete block building includes a glass overhead door that can be opened during the summer. The exterior will also be renovated and the new look includes a black sheet-metal canopy at the entrace with the "UNO" (United Neigborhood Organization) stamped into the valance and LED lighting behind it.
The construction is expected to take four months. The board approved the permit with Paul Hopkins abstaining because of his service on the NBCC board of directors.
Also approved was Oh Crepe!, a breakfast and lunch cafe that will be located in Berkshire Emporium in the same place as the former Luma's Muffin & Mug.
The interior configuration won't change much and the hours will be weekdays from 7 to 5, Saturday from 8 to 4 and Sunday, 8 to 3. Owners Benjamin Lamb, a city councilor, and his wife, Emily Schiavone, expect to open in February.
Another new gift shop, to be located in the Flatiron Building at 42 Eagle St., was approved.
Tick Tocks & More, owned by Roger Emerson, will offer unique clocks including the famed "Kit Kats" — those tail-swinging, side-eyeing cat wall clocks — and other gift shop choices.
Kit & Kaboodle, which offers gifts and crafts, was approved last month on Holden Street.
The Redevelopment Authority, meeting before the Planning Board, approved a sign for Steeple City Deli, which is located in the V&V liquor store in the former Kmart building.
In other business, the board:
• Approved permits for changes of owners at Styling Studios at 155 Eagle St. to Stephanie Rougeau and Supreme Pizza on Main Street to Savaria Family Restaurant. Neither business plans any changes to signage or exteriors; Supreme changed its hours until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
• Allowed Borrego Solar Systems, which had proposed a private solar array off Reservoir Road, to withdraw its application without prejudice. The array had run into opposition from abuttors and postponed since October.
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NBCC Executive Director Alan Bashevkin addresses the Planning Board on Monday night about plans to develop a neighborhood center on River Street.
