EASTHAMPTON — Derelict, frequently flooded, and packed with equipment, the Parks and Recreation Department’s maintenance building and storage sheds at Nonotuck Park have raised some eyebrows as they’ve continued to fall into disrepair.

But over the past several months, city officials say they have been having serious conversations about starting to replace the buildings as early as this fall.

Easthampton’s Director Parks and Recreation, John Mason, said that the city has been looking to replace the buildings for about 25 years now. According to Mason, the last time the maintenance building had upkeep work done was in 2011, when the ceilings and rotted flooring were replaced. Other maintenance to the buildings over the years has included trenching and landscaping around the building to reduce the flow of water into the building during rains, window replacement and the hiring an outside firm for mold remediation. The building is heated in the winter by a wood stove.

“We have been working with the Mayor’s Office, Building Department and other city departments over the last few years, and we gained momentum since the spring to address the Park maintenance building,” Mason said in an email. “Unfortunately due to staff shortages within the city government the process was stalled for a few months this year. Now that some city staffing issues have been resolved we are excited the process is moving forward again.”

Mason has been meeting with Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, members of the Department of Public Works, and a part-time building inspector hired by the city to discuss funding and procedures for demolishing and replacing the buildings. LaChapelle noted that the process was expedited by the building inspector’s determination that the maintenance building should not be used through another cold winter season.

Mason said there are plans to acquire two storage containers to unload equipment into, and then demolish the existing maintenance building. Equipment, including the wood stove, is already being removed and disposed of in anticipation of the demolition. The building contains “tools, cleaning supplies, and general operational equipment,” according to Mason, who noted that equipment is being moved out of the building in preparation for its demolition, not because of a risk for damage.

“We know that it was a long time coming and an overlooked piece of city property,” said LaChapelle. “The plan is going forward as it was always intended.”

While the city hasn’t chosen a contractor yet to do these tasks, Mason said that a quote for the removal of the maintenance building estimates a cost of $9,200. The two storage containers will be bought outright and delivered to the site for a combined cost of roughly $4,800. Additionally, the department will rent an office trailer at a rate of $514 per month, which will be placed between the current maintenance building and office.

The department’s 2021-2027 Master Plan states that the ultimate goal is to replace the current building with a two-bay pre-fab metal building containing a work area, small office, bathroom and storage with a cost estimate of $250,000. Mason said that the rented office space will be used between demolition and the construction of the new building.

The Master Plan lays out other park improvements, such as the recently completed renovations of the Nonotuck Park Pool and plans for the phased renovation of the 1937 Stonehouse Bathroom on Daley Field.

The maintenance building is used as an equipment repair space and a workshop, with five to seven employees “in and out of the building throughout the day,” said Mason.

“Park maintenance employees are generally outside in Nonotuck Park or taking care of the many park facilities located throughout the city,” he added.

The Parks and Recreation department maintains the Mount Tom North Trailhead, Plain and Strong Street Playground, six parks, and three cemeteries.

At a recent meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission that provided updates on the plans for these buildings, several city councilors expressed their solidarity with the department in improving the conditions of the maintenance building and sheds.

“I think that our employees deserve quality work environments,” said Councilor Koni Denham, who added that she has been speaking with the mayor about moving forward with improvements for these buildings.

Councilor Owen Zaret stated that replacing the maintenance building should “take precedence,” but does not need to come at the expense of other park improvements or projects either.

“It’s imperative that we maintain appropriate infrastructure here in Easthampton in all of our departments,” he said, adding that there is a “glaring need” for improvements to the maintenance building.

“Things move slowly, but we’re moving quickly on this now,” Mason told the Gazette. “I think we’re moving up the priority list.”

Mason is currently working on a structured timeline for the project, which he will send to the mayor. He said he does not know yet when it will be complete.

Simultaneously, Denham is working on putting together a short-term committee to keep the public updated throughout the process. This committee will include representatives from the DPW, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and the mayor’s office, as well as Denham and Mason.

Denham said that the goal of this committee will be to “express any needs or updates to the community” as this undertaking progresses.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.