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| By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor CHICOPEE Mayor Michael Bissonnette is convening a committee of city officials to help expedite permitting issues for the proposed condominium project at the Cabotville industrial complex. Bissonnette said he is living up to his promise that the city would partner with any developers willing to put private money into the downtown area. Brooklyn, NY-based developer Josh Gutman, who owns the buildings, plans to renovate part of one building into 248 condo units 48 on each of five floors, Bissonnette said. Gutman will be financing the renovation himself. Work would begin on the fifth floor once permitting issues have been cleared. Gutman's plan is to shift the current manufacturing and business tenants to other parts of the complex. He is looking to then have a retail component to the project as well. He is also considering an underground parking facility, although Bissonnette said that the engineering firm of Tighe & Bond have identified there are 750 ground-level parking spaces currently at the complex Gutman has "reaffirmed" his commitment to the project and is currently replacing the roof to the buildings. The project is "incredibly complex," Bissonnette said. There are environmental concerns with the renovation. Bissonnette said that Gutman has discovered there is asbestos in the caulking of the existing windows that must be handled in a special manner. The new windows are already on site and will be installed once the proper environmental concerns are met. Road and bridge construction scheduled near the complex during its proposed renovation is another factor that must be coordinated so the project is not adversely impacted. Gutman does not own the entire complex, Bissonnette said. Con Edison owns the canals and hydroelectric plant and there are arrangements that must be worked out between the two parties. A system of new gas lines has been worked out and now new water lines must be planned, Bissonnette added. Bissonnette said that officials at Elms College have been contacted about the possibility of some of the new condos to be used as student housing. The mayor also added that at least three nationally known retail or restaurant chains have made inquiries about available development property on Central Street. "This is a pretty exciting time," Bissonnette said. |