St John Cantius request for site visit
Historic Northampton
46 Bridge Street Northampton, Massachusetts 01060-2428 • 413-584-6011
www.historicnorthampton.org • info@historicnorthampton.org
May 3, 2021
Carolyn Misch
Assistant Director
Planning & Sustainability
210 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Re: St. John Cantius Church
Request of a site visit by CBAC and an independent Conditions Assessment specialist
Dear Ms. Misch,
In your role as staff to the Central Business Architecture Committee (CBAC), Historic Northampton respectfully requests that you and members of the CBAC conduct a site visit to St. John
Cantius Church on Hawley Street. The purpose of the visit would be to gather first-hand information about the church’s current conditions (interior and exterior) and the capacity to
repurpose the building. As part of a CBAC site visit, we believe that the Committee’s information gathering would benefit significantly if an independent Conditions Assessor were allowed
to inspect the building and accompany the committee.
As a nearby neighbor and organization dedicated to preserving Northampton’s rich history, Historic Northampton urges the members of the CBACto ask the applicant to explore every reasonable
scenario before signing off on the church’s demolition.The church is an historic structure and has played an important role in the lives of many Polish families in Northampton.
On behalf of the Board, Historic Northampton appreciates all of the time that the members of the CBAC have already contributed to reviewing this decision, their questions, and thoughtful
deliberation about options.
Thank you for considering our request that a site visit be conducted.
Sincerely,Betsy Stone
Laurie SandersElizabeth M. SharpeBetsy Stone
Co-directorCo-directorPresident, Board of Directors