https://nanopress.net/northampton-ma/briefsThe daily local brief for Northampton, MA.en-ushttps://nanopress.net/northampton-ma/briefs/2026-10-25https://nanopress.net/northampton-ma/briefs/2026-10-25Sun, 25 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Hoffman Architects and Engineers found the 37-year-old E.J. Gare Parking Garage is suffering from alkali-silica reactivity, a form of 'concrete cancer' that cannot be repaired, and recommended demolition. Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra presented the findings to the City Council on Oct. 15. The options are a $3.3–$3.8 million surface lot, which with the Armory Street lot would offer 198 spaces, roughly 200 fewer than the garage, or an $18–$33 million replacement garage, with financing requiring council approval.