Holyoke commissioners hear plan to demolish Buildings 1 and 2 of mill complex; developer says National Park Service cleared work

Holyoke Historical Commission members were presented with an amended demolition proposal for Buildings 1 and 2 of a larger rehabilitation project and heard an update on the project’s phases, safety concerns and permitting steps.

The project representative, Alicia (applicant representative), told the commission that the applicant had submitted an amendment to the National Park Service and the Massachusetts Historical Commission and that the National Park Service reviewer, Tina Roach, “approved the work without any conditions, and [is] comfortable with us moving forward this summer.” The representative also described structural deterioration inside both buildings, limited interior access for safety reasons and multiple demolition or stabilization scenarios with widely varying cost estimates.

The commission’s discussion centered on safety for nearby residents, how party walls shared with adjacent buildings would be addressed, the city’s ownership status of some parcels and the permitting and hearing process the commission will follow. Commissioners asked whether any reuse is planned for the cleared footprint, how party‑wall infill would be handled and what notifications are required for condo owners in adjacent buildings.

Why this matters: Buildings 1 and 2 are part of a multi‑phase redevelopment that includes underway…