HADLEY — A historic town-owned building in North Hadley center is back on the market after Hadley officials abandoned a resident’s redevelopment proposal this week.
The Select Board voted unanimously Tuesday to issue a revised request for proposal for the North Hadley Village Hall, at 239 River Drive, following the termination of negotiations with Peter Heronemus of Mount Warner Road.
In 2019, the board selected a $70,000 bid by Heronemus to convert the 1864 building, built as a schoolhouse and later used by various town departments, into a mix of apartments and a music venue.
In addition, special Town Meeting supported an appeal to the state Legislature to lift the protection under Article 97 of the state Constitution of an adjacent one-acre ballfield so Heronemus could use that greenspace for outdoor concerts and events.
But the board initially put a deadline on negotiations, which had grown uncertain in recent weeks.
Select Board member Christian Stanley said part of the issue was Heronemus asking to have more control of the historic aspects of the building. “They wanted more than we were willing to give up for the place,” Stanley said.
“They also couldn’t meet our timeline for closing the deal,” said Board Chairman David J. Fill II.
Heronemus, in a letter sent to the board, wrote that the challenges were caused by town officials, including a historic preservation agreement with elements that made him uncomfortable.
“Since the acceptance of my proposal, I have been met with numerous blockers,” he wrote. “I have always been willing to work with the town to come to an agreement that satisfies both parties. I feel that this willingness has not been reciprocated.”
Heronemus added that since the board is going in a different direction, residents might want to seek placing the permanent protection back on the field. That field also provides municipal access to Lake Warner.
The new request for proposal will be identical to the most recent one, except will mandate that a bell inside the building be removed and preserved by the town.
The town has been actively soliciting private developers for the building for five years.
Board member Joyce Chunglo said if the board can find someone interested in using the building, then she is willing to wait, but added her patience may not last much longer.
“Let’s get this wrapped up before I take it to Town Meeting and just say, ‘Let’s demolish it at this point,’” Chunglo said.