A Hatfield landmark is back from the brink, thanks to residents who believe history is a treasure, not a handicap.
A year ago, the 100-year-old Center School’s days were numbered. Literally. On July 1, 2015, the town’s Historical Commission imposed a one-year demolition delay. That clock was ticking down to the wrecking ball when, in a reversal, residents at Town Meeting voted this spring to try again to recruit a developer. They wanted to write a new chapter for a building that last held students in 1980.
Other uses warmed the space for a time, including a regional library program. But after an earlier attempt to preserve the building failed, people engaged in Hatfield’s affairs gave up hope. They voted at Town Meeting to knock the thing down.
Thankfully, the forced delay bought time, preventing the destruction of what one town official calls a “beautiful icon.” Gradually, support grew for finding an alternative to demolition. “The building deserves a second life,” Christopher Smith of the Hatfield Redevelopment Authority said.
Residents went from reconciled to re-energized.
On May 10, they voted 222-16 to market the building for use as housing by people 55 and over and were willing to ask only $100 in exchange for future tax revenue.
And, wonder of wonders, not only did a developer come forward, the interested parties included people with solid reputations for historic preservation in the region, along with a rock-solid financing commitment from Greenfield Savings Bank.
This month, the Select Board accepted a proposal from Barry L. Roberts and Donald Southwick to remake the Center School into eight condominiums. They agreed to deal with asbestos and any other hazardous materials, sparing the town that cost.
The development team brought sterling resumes and references. Among documents filed with the town was a banker’s letter that referred to Roberts and Southwick as “highly regarded customers.” Officials reviewed other local buildings that members of the team had brought back to life, including Roberts’ work on three in Northampton: the D.A. Sullivan School, Hawley Grammar School and the Williams Street School.
Successful projects like that were the model all along in Hatfield. If it could be done elsewhere, people in Hatfield rightly asked, why not here? But for years, this quest seemed out of reach. Until this month.
“Where have you been?” Select Board member Brian Moriarty asked in jest as his board’s session with Roberts and Southwick wrapped up.
There may yet be hiccups when work crews begin to transform the old school.
But town officials expressed support for the developers’ willingness to preserve the exterior look of the school, except for the east side, where a new entrance will be created, allowing access to an elevator serving upper floors. Decks on the east side will provide views across playing fields that the town will continue to own and on to the Connecticut River.
Rather than create a vacancy on Main Street, Hatfield will expand its housing stock, receive property tax payments and retain a handsome building that speaks to civic investment and town pride.
None of this would lie ahead in Hatfield if members of the Historical Commission had not drawn an important line in the sand. This building, their action stated, is “preferably preserved.”
And credit goes as well to residents who pressed to shift public opinion and revive optimism. Though turnout at last May’s Town Meeting was spotty, those who came out that night resolved to save a treasure.
The Center School was too valuable to lose. It was a gamble to attempt this, and another clock has been ticking, because Town Meeting agreed only to give this effort until February to reach a sale. It is now pending, with the preferred outcome just around the corner.