53 Gothic AAB support (2)City of Northampton
Massachusetts
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING INSPECTIONS 212 Main Street ● Municipal Building Northampton, MA 01060
October 2, 2019 Architectural Access Board 1000 Washington St., Suite 710 Boston, MA 02118 Board Members,
I’ve reviewed the proposed plans for repairs and renovations to the building at 53 Gothic Street in Northampton. I am familiar with the building. It is an older residential structure near the center of Northampton. It was converted from residential to business offices a number of years ago, likely in the 1970s. No work has been done to the building since 2013. The building owner, Peter Whalen is proposing renovations and repairs including new roofing, solar panels, widening doorways, adding an accessible toilet and creating an accessible entrance.
Based on the relatively low value of the building, the project would require that the whole building be made accessible. The first floor will be fully accessible and include an accessible toilet room (which
wouldn’t be required by the plumbing code). There are public space offices on the second floor. Making the whole building accessible would require
a limited use elevator. As an alternative to the elevator, Mr. Whalen is proposing a “flex” office on the accessible first floor which would be available to all building tenants. I support this proposal because installing an elevator would be impracticable; beyond the cost of the elevator itself, it would likely eliminate two offices, including one of the accessible offices on the first floor. Feel free to contact me if you have questions.
Respectfully, Louis Hasbrouck
Building Commissioner City of Northampton (413) 587-1240
lhasbrouck@northamptonma.gov