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Date: 10/26/2021
HOLYOKE – Doors Open Holyoke afforded people the opportunity to not just visit many of Holyoke arts, culture and history sites, but to literally see behind doors of buildings that have been closed to the public for years.
The free day-long event on Oct 16 presented by The Holyoke Office of Planning & Economic Development (OPED), in collaboration with Glammoré Premier Events, offered a self-guided tour of the city that included the MIFA Victory Theater, Holyoke Children's Museum, Holyoke Public Library, Hotel Jess, The Cubit Co-work Space, The Cubit Loft, Amour Yard, Holyoke Community College MGM Culinary Arts Institute, Heritage State Park Visitors Center, Nueva Esperanza Inc- El Corazón Tour, International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center Tour, Holyoke Masonic Temple, The United Congregational Church of Holyoke, H.H. Richardson Train Station, The City Hall Ballroom, The Merry Go Round, Gateway City Arts, Holyoke Gas & Electric Robert Barrett Fishway, Baustein Building, Massachusetts Academy of Ballet, Wistariahurst Museum- Carriage House Visitor Center, Holyoke Rows Sue Ellen Panitch Boathouse and Open Square.
Among the long-closed doors now open was the Hotel Jess at 335 Dwight St. Employees of Whitman Property showed the progress made in transforming the building constructed in 1872 to apartments with a ground floor restaurant. An original wide staircase brought visitors to the second floor where everything has been removed save for the original framing.
Around the corner, David White was speaking to visitors to the original Holyoke Train Station on Bower Street. Owned by the city of Holyoke and the Holyoke Gas & Electric Department, it has been used for several commercial activities over the years. He explained the building, designed by H.H. Richardson and built in 1895, is being stabilized at the time with a new roof and other improvements. It was in use until 1965.
White said that in 1965 a second floor was created to made additional space, but cutting the high ceiling in half. He said the intent is to remove much of the second floor to create a balcony.
Right now a use of the building is still being considered, White added.
At the Holyoke Community College MGM Culinary Arts Institute at the Cubit Building on Race Street the classrooms have been vacant but the instruction has been continuing remotely through the pandemic, according to a staff member.
Next door to the Cubit Building was Armor Yard Holyoke, a pop-up beer garden event and social gathering space that is a co-venture with Holyoke Craft Beer.
The event also featured participation from 12 local restaurants that offered a 10 percent discount to all people showing a Doors Open Holyoke wristband or sticker. They included Avalon Lounge and Game Cafe, Pizza D’Action, Amedeo's Restaurant & Pizzeria, El Paraíso Colombiano, Blue Door Gatherings, Comfort Bagel, A1 Pizza, Khi & Eli Food For The Soul, Crave Holyoke, El Rincón Boricua Restaurant, Lechonera El Paseo, and Capri Pizza for their offerings.