Asked if he and Rasch had ever considered making the old firehouse part of their project, Nickerson said they are interested but have not been able to work out a deal with owner Thomas Borshoff.
An independent study submitted to the town in 2012 by a building consultant found that any developer looking to renovate the school is facing a liability of at least $850,000 in required remediation of just the asbestos and lead paint hazards.
Some Railroad Street merchants and firehouse neighbors have grown furious over the deterioration of the alley in the hands of private owners, its impact on delivery truck access, and the blighted appearance overall.
Castle Street firehouse owner Thomas Borshoff has no incentive to do his promised redevelopment. He is making money by doing nothing, with rent from the town from whom he purchased the property.
“I am very confident that we will be able to stand here sometime in the future, and find that Castle Street has been transformed by this restoration.”
-- 20 Castle St. LLC principal Thomas Borshoff, upon acquiring the firehouse in 2014
“I'd like to get out of the firehouse so the firehouse can be developed. If there’s an ability to get a tenant in there, it’s good for the project and for the activities of the town.”
-- Great Barrington Town Manager, Jennifer Tabakin
