Contractors from Crestview Construction, of Southwick, demolished the former Southwick Department of Public Works Carriage House located at the rear of 11 Depot Street Friday morning. The building was deemed unsafe and too expensive to repair. The open-ended structure had served the town for more than 30 years. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
SOUTHWICK – The former Department of Public Works (DPW) “carriage house” is being demolished due to safety concerns and because it is no longer of use to the town.
DPW Director Jeffrey Neece said the structure has been there for at least 30 years and has been in a state of disrepair for some time. Neece said the constant repairs were costly.
“Recently, the roof was so bad that it rained right through it,” he said.
The DPW has no need for the carriage house, which had been used to house some of the DPW fleet. However, because of its condition, it did not offer ideal protection from the elements.
“The carriage house has become obsolete now that the DPW moved to 666 College Highway,” Neece said.
The carriage house has found a new use by some feathered friends.
“It has become a pigeon haven and habitat,” Neece sad. “It is a pigeon breeding ground.”
In order for the DPW or the town to use the structure, it would need major repairs to the roof and need to be enclosed with garage doors, said Neece. He said it would be too costly, and even if it were revamped, it would still not serve a functional purpose. Instead, there could be other uses for the land, which is located between the police and fire stations.
“For now it’s just coming down, but there is some discussion of an animal shelter going there,” said Neece.
Last month, an animal-loving resident offered to fund and build a new, modern animal shelter, possibly at that site. That offer is currently being explored by the Board of Selectmen along with Animal Control Officer Tracy Root.
Neece said the demolition is costing about $4,000 for the electrical component of the project, as well as the actual excavation by Crestview Construction, and removal of debris by Waste Management. Neece said Crestview was awarded the town’s annual bid for excavation work.
