Historical Commission Halts Peck House Demolition
Other Committee · Meeting of September 28, 2026
Northampton's Historical Commission blocks demolition of Cooley Dickinson's Peck House, splits on a mold-damaged Crescent Street home. The commission voted unanimously to deny Cooley Dickinson Hospital's demolition request for the empty Peck House, triggering a 12-month delay, after architect Tom Hartman said renovation costs "far exceed the benefit to the owner." A separate request from homeowners Brian and Deborah Cook to demolish their mold-contaminated 199 Crescent Street house passed 3-2 for a preservation delay, then 4-1 to continue the hearing to October 26. Cook said "the level right now of mold in the house is... not safe for anyone to live in," citing a 118-page report and a prior inspector's $200,000 basement-sealing estimate.
The commission also unanimously approved a revised Certificate of Appropriateness for a Vernon Street garage redesign and deferred action on reinstalling the former St. John Cantius Church's deteriorated cupola pending cost estimates.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,595 words
Source: the Other Committee meeting of September 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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