Research on Lot #ID Proposed Demolition Parking Lot for “The Wherehouse?”

Are Historic Preservation Funds Available? Historic fund allocations depend on the National Park Service guidelines, available: treatments.htm treatments.htm Conversion of a mill into a parking garage or into any other modern use would be placed under the “Rehabilitation” guidelines. Rehabilitation requires: – Maintenance/repair of any historic features – masonry, wood, roofs, windows, entrances, structural systems, spaces, features/finishes, mechanical systems, building site – Replacement of historic features that have been removed (like dormers)

Current Conditions The roof is caved in on the 4 th floor. Leaking throughout the building, likely cave-in on 3 rd floor soon. The wood flooring is saturated. Owner said that it was also soaked in oil; there was a very strong smell of oil in the building. Any renovation would require extensive environmental research and remediation would be likely, especially if going to be used for residential. The environmental research alone would typically cost about $10,000.

Is there another spot for parking? This is effectively an island: – spaces are restricted by water or railroad track – The interior lot is an irregular shape with very narrow alleyway entrance. – The bridge on Lyman Street has a blocked off sidewalk– has been this way for several years. Construction is slated to begin in 2018 ( ectInfo/Main.asp?ACTION=ViewPro ject&PROJECT_NO=600936) ectInfo/Main.asp?ACTION=ViewPro ject&PROJECT_NO= Converting the building into a parking garage is extremely cost prohibitive. In new construction an average parking space on grade costs about $3,000, the average cost per space in a 4 floor structure is $20,000. Adaptive use rehabilitation is far more costly.

Proposed Parking Site The parking on the other side of the canal is not reachable by foot – the sidewalk is blocked – picture taken 9/20/2015

Parking Lot A public parking spot is typically 9’ x 19’. The minimum code is typically 7’ x 15’. Space between aisles should be about 24’ to be two-way traffic. The lot is about 125’ by 200’. This will come out to at least 100 spaces.

Space as Display Case The Wherehouse? has been a place where Holyoke history has been on display for decades. The owner currently uses outdoor space to display, among other things, the first Holyoke Fire Department truck. He considers it a critical need to be able to continue to display these large outdoor artifacts.

What would a demo delay cause? Continued business challenges for The Wherehouse? If another business came and did something with the property it is unlikely it would not require parking given the footprint of the building. If another business owned the lot and actively used it The Wherehouse? would no longer have a place to display the Fire Ladder, etc. The building would be a fire hazard. Currently, it still has an operable sprinkler system. The sprinkler system is going to be emptied ahead of the freezing season, since the building will be unheated. The building will no longer have fire protection. (Note: Intiya Isaza recently priced the repair/replacement of a sprinkler system conversion to a dry system in a similarly sized abandoned mill building in Springfield. Costs were about $100,000. )