The City Council recently approved the use of $60,000 in free cash to finance the removal of the storage building located to the rear of Bentley Billiards, off Elm and Thomas streets.
WESTFIELD – City officials plan to demolish a former warehouse off Elm and Thomas streets in the coming weeks, the first step toward eliminating blight in the downtown.
The City Council recently approved the use of $60,000 in free cash to finance the removal of the storage building located to the rear of Bentley Billiards, formerly Lambson Furniture, at the corner of Elm and Thomas streets.
City Advancement Officer Jeffrey R. Daley said this week demolition of the building is awaiting state approval under an emergency request because of extensive deterioration of the structure.
The building is one of at least three Mayor Daniel M. Knapik is seeking to demolish.
The city has applied for a grant under the state’s Brownsfield Redevelopment Funding program to assist in environmental inspection and cleanup of the sites.
Daley said information concerning the city’s grant application is expected in December.
Meanwhile, Daley said demolition of the warehouse is expected within two weeks.
Knapik has also identified a large block building at 88-94 Elm St. and a former dry cleaners building at 47 School St. for demolition.
The warehouse site is expected to be converted into additional off-street parking, adding spaces to existing parking in that area, Daley said.
He said the warehouse “represents a severe safety hazard and must come down as quickly as possible.”
The Elm Street site, which the city owns, is expected to become a new transit center to be developed by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority and city. That plan has been on the drawing board for a decade, but Knapik has recently reported progress that is expected to lead to construction in the new year.