Million dollar window renovation in Easthampton

EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - An Easthampton non-profit has a lot of community support for a million dollar renovation of a historic building in town.

Riverside Industries  wants to replace all 912 windows in the 160-year old mill building at One Cottage Street.

Besides Riverside Industries, which serves individuals with developmental  disabilities and their families,  the 165,000 square foot building is home to  85 other tenants.

R.I intends to replace almost one thousand  inefficient single-pane glass windows.

Riverside Industries President and CEO Char Gentes told 22News, "The windows are old and drafty, and need to be replaced.  We are losing about 50,000 dollars a year out the window in heat and electrical costs."

Riverside Industries has already raised $923,000 through their "Windows of Opportunity" Campaign.  The city of Easthampton awarded $300,000 from Community Preservation Act funds, and Easthampton Savings Bank kicked in a check for $100,000.

The non-profit has raised all but $200,000 of the funds they need.

The renovation starts next week, with hopes of finishing replacement of all the windows in three months.  5-Star Construction Company will have crews working double shifts to finish the job by mid-February.