The Berkshire Eagle

March 15, 2006
Section: Local

Cable Mills project gets $1.7 million
By Christopher Marcisz, Berkshire Eagle Staff

Wednesday, March 15 WILLIAMSTOWN —

A project to turn the Cable Mills site on Water Street into affordable housing has received a $1.7 million boost toward completion. Developers and state officials earlier this week announced that state and federal funds have been earmarked for the project, which will bring 83 housing units to the center of town. A quarter of the units will be sold to first-time home-buyers.
The funds were announced by state Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams, and state Sen. Andrea F. Nuciforo, D-Pittsfield. Of the $1.7 million, $715,000 will come from the state Department of Housing and Community Development's federally backed HOME program, and another $1 million will come from the state's Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

The plans are being put together by Cambridge-based Keen Development Corp., along with the Berkshire Housing Development Corp., based in Pittsfield.

"Thanks to the continuous efforts of Rep. Bosley, projects like Cable Mills are receiving the public support they deserve," BHDC Interim Director James Canavan said in a statement. "The old mill site soon will be home to a mix of moderate-income and upper-income families and individuals."

The project is seen as an important element in the development of Water Street, and town officials hope it will help spur development at the former town garage site farther up the street.
Work at the site began last year. Much of the work has involved "pruning" away out-buildings and other parts of the site to leave the original 1873 mill building and several new buildings on the site.

Some units may be ready by the end of this year. The project was intended to be finished by May 2007.