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Rhode Island
Historic former newspaper building in Woonsocket, R.I., back on the market mid-construction – The Boston Globe
WOONSOCKET, R.I. — A downtown office building that was the home of the city’s newspaper for the last century has been under construction to become sleek, modern apartments with office co-working space. But this month, the project’s developers listed the four-story commercial block for $4.2 million, with hopes that a future owner can take it from here.
The listing is for 55-75 Main St., which is part of Woonsocket’s historic downtown district, and incorporates Harris Mill #4, the Buckland and Clark Building, and the Buell Building. Through its subsidiary 55 Main St LLC, NPM Main St. Holdings, LP, a real estate investment firm led by John Messier, purchased the combined property for $1.16 million in early 2023, according to real estate records.
Messier, developer and construction manager Leszek “Les” Przybylko, and their investors had begun carrying out plans to renovate the buildings into 73 residential apartments and eight commercial spaces.
But after starting initial construction, they’ve decided to put it up for sale in an effort to “consolidate funds to work on another project,” broker Dan Gardner told the Globe on Wednesday morning.
“The new buyer is to finish the project,” Gardner wrote in an email. “About 70 percent of the work still needs to be done.”
Gardner declined to provide any further details or answer questions related to any ongoing construction, the developer’s other projects, or funding gaps. Calls to Messier’s office were not returned ahead of publication.
Harris Mill #4 is a six-story early Victorian mill building that is the only remains of the historic Harris Woolen Company Mills, built in 1846 by the local industrialist and philanthropist Edward Harris. Attached to the old mill is the Buckland and Clark Building, a two-story structure with a yellow brick storefront facade that was first constructed in 1897. The developers planned to put most of the apartment spaces in this part of the complex, as well as some retail storefront space.
The Buell Building at 75 Main St., a four-story brick building, was long considered the home of the Woonsocket Call, a newspaper that was first founded in 1892. The paper once had to use the entire 31,200-square-food building to support its operations. The Call was acquired by Rhode Island Suburban Newspapers in 2007, and by 2023 it had just two news reporters and two sports reporters when it merged with the Pawtucket Times to become The Blackstone Valley Call & Times.
News articles in 2022 reported that the newspaper would remain in the property as part of a lease-back agreement. But on Wednesday, the property’s real estate listing said the building was vacant.
“The Call is no longer in that building,” publisher Jody A. Boucher told the Globe in an email on Wednesday. “We were asked to vacate for a brief time for construction purposes but were then told that the property was on the market again. Unsure of what the future would bring as far as the building was concerned, we relocated to a storefront on 154 Main St. directly across from City Hall.”
Boucher said the newspaper had “a skeleton crew” working in the building until late October 2023. Employees worked remotely until the paper relocated to its current offices in February 2024.
Mike Debroisse, the city’s director of planning and development, said he was made aware that the property would be listed for sale in the middle of construction, and that the department has already spoken to a couple of developers who are interested in purchasing the project as is.
It’s “great to see investors interested in Woonsocket,” Debroisse said.
First constructed in 1922, the Buell Building was designed by Westcott & Mapes, a New Haven, Conn., architectural firm, to house both a printing plant and editorial and administrative offices, according to preservation document with the US Department of the Interior. For years, little has been altered of the building’s Gothic Revival facade with its massive cast-stone central entrance and segmental arch.
The Buell Building’s remaining office and print shop space, which is located above and below the first floor, was expected to be converted into apartment space, a large gym, laundry, and shared areas for the tenants, according to the developer’s plans.
Messier and Przybylko told the city their rehab project would take approximately 18 months to complete, and would include a large rooftop.
The developers have also worked on a number of other downtown Woonsocket projects. In 2021, the pair purchased the former Father Marot CYO Center at 53 Federal St., and adjacent buildings at 77 Federal St. for $350,000, which they plan to turn into apartments.
In 2020, their renovation project at 122 North Main St. was named the recipient of a 2020 Rhode Island Smart Growth Award from Grow Smart RI. Its renovation was the first major mixed-use development located in the Woonsocket Downtown Overlay District, and included 17 modern, market-rate apartments on its upper floors. The building’s first floor holds Lops Brewing, the neighborhood’s first brewery, and co-working space.
Alexa Gagosz can be reached at alexa.gagosz@globe.com. Follow her @alexagagosz and on Instagram @AlexaGagosz.
Why is the flag at half staff? These are possible reasons
The flag of the United States of America is flown at half-staff on several occasions, generally marking that the country is in mourning
On Friday, May 15, flags will be flown at half-staff across the United States to commemorate Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Recognized each year since 1962 as part of May’s National Police Week, the national observance pays tribute to United States law enforcement officials who gave their lives in the line of duty, whether at the local, state or federal level.
“United in gratitude, we recommit ourselves to supporting those who keep the peace in our neighborhoods, and we offer our heartfelt appreciation for the service they render to community and country,” reads a proclamation from President Trump. “Their steady presence brings calm to our streets, their dedication preserves the order that allows our Nation to flourish, and their unwavering vigilance is the reason families across America can rest under the promise of a safer tomorrow.”
In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the flag of the United States at all public buildings and grounds across the country and its territories – including in Rhode Island – will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, May 15.
Why are flags flown at half-staff?
According to the official website of the U.S. General Services Administration, flags typically fly at half-staff when the country or specific state is in mourning. Observances include national tragedies, days of remembrance and deaths of government or military personnel.
The president, the state governor or the mayor of Washington, D.C., can order flags to fly at half-staff.
Half-staff vs. half-mast
While half-staff refers to lowered flags on land, half-mast refers to those at sea. Both refer to a flag being flown beneath the top of its staff as a sign of respect.
RI’s Verdi Productions films ‘Bad News On The Doorstep’ in Providence
Verdi Productions wrapped filming of Tom DeNucci’s “Bad News On The Doorstep” early on May 23 in Providence.
Verdi Productions’ secret horror movie, “My Boyfriend is a Demon,” now filming in Rhode Island, is no longer a secret as Chad A. Verdi, the East Greenwich production company’s president, has announced the cast and given an outline of the movie’s plot.
The ensemble cast comprises veteran actors and rising young talents. The story follows Mary, a lonely, small-town girl who creates a fake Instagram account that pretends to be boyfriend, a guy too perfect to be real. Mary puts so much effort into making him “real” that he shows up at her door one day.
The cast includes:
- Mattias Ferrell, son of comic actor Will Ferrell and known for “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie” and “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.”
- Coco Arquette, daughter of Courteney Cox and David Arquette and known for “Cougar Town.”
- David Arquette, known for his work in the “Scream” film franchise.
- Rosanna Arquette, David’s sister and Coco’s aunt, known for “The Moment.”
- Bailey Sloan, known for “Ragamuffin.”
- Jack Champion, known for “Avatar.”
- Ever Anderson, known for “Peter Pan & Wendy.”
- Vinnie Hacker, known for “Euphoria.”
- Josephine Reitman, known for “Juno.”
- Savannah Lee Smith, kown for “Tunsel Town.”
- Lisa Yamada, known for “Elle.”
- Ty Law, known for “Friday Night Lights.”
“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is written and directed by first-time director mishka.
“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is filming in Providence
The movie began filming in Rhode Island in April and has rented Providence’s Cranston Street Armory for the month of May to use as a studio.
The producing team for Verdi Productions includes Chad A. Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Paul Luba, Michelle Verdi and Sera Verdi. Executive producers include Ketchup Entertainment and Kinolime.
Good morning! Happy Thursday! Today will be pretty unsettled with the chance for showers and t’storms. Friday will still be damp with showers and drizzle, but the weekend still looks amazing!
The one good thing with the rain, for allergy sufferers at least, the pollen levels will be lower. In fact, both today and tomorrow, the tree pollen counts will be low locally. Do expect a spike in the pollen count for Saturday and Sunday with the dry weather.
INTERACTIVE RADAR: Live Pinpoint Weather 12 Radar »
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” FLIGHT TRACKER
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” POWER OUTAGES
TODAY
Hour-by-hour forecast for today…
We’ll have some showers around during the morning commute today, but the greatest chance for showers and t’storms will be after 9AM and before 5PM.
Showers and thunderstorms could slow travel around mid-day. Rain could fall heavily at times.
A line of showers and t’storms will be sweeping across the area through the afternoon as a slow-moving weather systems moves through the region.
Highs today will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s with southeast to east winds of 5-15mph.
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” BEACH AND BOATING FORECASTS
TONIGHT
Showers are still possible this evening; although they won’t be as numerous.
TOMORROW
That low center will be nearby Friday morning, and we’ll be stuck with a damp, cool windflow. Expect drizzle and showers in the morning and possibly some lingering showers in the afternoon.
Highs Friday will only be in the 50s. The average high this time of year is in the upper 60s.
LOOKING AHEAD
Then…there’s the weekend. Saturday looks amazing with lots of sunshine and dry weather. It’ll be warmer, too, with highs in the 70s.
-Meteorologist T.J. Del Santo
T.J. Del Santo (tdelsanto@wpri.com) is the weekday morning and noon meteorologist for 12 News. Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and Threads and BlueSky.
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