The team working to restore the Bentley Billiards building at 89 Elm St. include (L-R) Attorney Joseph E. Szawlowski, Architect Tristram W. Metcalfe, III, Gene Borowski, Sr. Finance, Gene Borowski, Beyond Builders, and partners Leslie Gross and Taylor Aldrich. Missing is partner Phil Peak. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – The new owners of the Lambson Furniture Building, formerly Bentley Billiards, at 89 Elm St., presented to the Finance sub-committee Dec. 19 in support of the Community Preservation Act funds of $250,000 granted to the project by the commission earlier this year.
The building was purchased by Beyond Builders’ owner Gene Borowski, who said the tentative plan is for a mixed-use building, with potentially a restaurant or stores on the first floor, offices, and a mix of subsidized and higher end apartments. He said they’re open to ideas.
Finance committee chair Brent B. Bean, II asked City Planner Jay Vinskey how much remains of CPA money after this allocation. Vinskey said the funds are from the current fiscal year, and $50,000 spends down the Historic allocation. He said $200,000 is from the undesignated pot, which leaves approximately $150,000 in that account. The building was erected in 1890.
“It’s one of the iconic buildings in town. For me, this is an important project,” Bean said.
Architect Tristram W. Metcalfe, III of Metcalfe Associates in Northampton said that one of the serious missing pieces in the building is a second staircase, which is now required by law. He said a new elevator is needed, although they may be able to refurbish some of the antique parts.
Borowski said they have already replaced some of the dangerous brick. “We’re just getting the building to a shell,” he said, adding that the whole project will cost $1.2 million, $600,000 of which will be for the exterior. The building was purchased in July for $275,000.
Finance member John J. Beltrandi, III asked if their intention was to do the exterior first. Borowski said yes, plus get heat in the building. He said the gas-powered heater on the roof is only a year old. He said the electric had been upgraded, and the electrical inspector already signed off for new occupancy. Water has not been run to the building for ten years, which is another priority.
Borowski said they have Whip City Fiber across the street, and they will be meeting with Westfield Gas & Electric next week for an energy audit, and will find out how to get fiber to the building. He said they need to have a ramp and new doors to move forward. At least one handicap bathroom will also be installed on the first floor.
“We want to open the front to the street,” he said.
There are no panes in the windows upstairs, which are another priority. Borowski said they will use part of the CPA money to hand-do the windows, in order to save them. They also plan to open the arches in the building.
One of his visions is to open up the first floor for store rentals similar to Thornes Marketplace in Northampton.
In the back of the building, they plan to put in an outdoor stage for concerts that were held there as part of the downtown summer arts series. Borowski said he is also thinking of opening an ice cream shop.
Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski asked at what point in time the $250,000 CPA funds get infused into the project.
Attorney Joseph E. Szawlowski said the state is working on the conservation restriction for the building, which he gave to them a few months ago, and was told would be completed in 90 days.
“I just want to be sure when the $250,000 is provided, will the building still be worth $250,000,” Onyski said.
Borowski said the sprinkler system in the building is worth half a million, and the value of the building has already increased from $600,000 to $800,000.
Beltrandi said the city will have a lien on the building, and be in the first position, should anything happen.
“As Ward 2 Councilor going on eight years, this is one of those buildings that I always wanted to see something done with,” said Ralph J. Figy.
The Finance committee voted 3 to 0 to approve the project. During the City Council discussion which followed, Bean told the Council that the $250,000 in CPA funds is for the envelope of the building, and is a little less than half of the $600,000 needed to secure the building.
Figy called the building “a longstanding eyesore in Ward 2.” He said he was fully behind the project, which will be guaranteed by a historic deed restriction.
Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise called it one of the “small steps along the way,” and said he was gratified “seeing all these pieces coming together.”
At-large Councilor Dave Flaherty reminded the council that this was taxpayer money going into a building with private developers. He said the original intent of the Community Preservation Act wasn’t to enrich private developers.
“We have to be cautious of that. This could be used for open space to protect our land,” Flaherty said.
Bean said there are different pots of money in the Community Preservation Act and one is for historic preservation. “It’s not all for open space,” he said.
At-large Councilor Matt Emmershy said that generally he agreed with Flaherty, but he would support “a situation like this, where new owners are looking to put in a significant amount of money to restore this.” The vote to approve was unanimous.
“Glad to be your neighbors,” Borowski said following the vote.
