WINCHENDON—A planned re-development of the former White’s Mill complex in Winchendon Springs is proceeding, following a partial collapse of the roof from a snowstorm on April 4.

Since then, Amelia Giovanoni, acting director of the Mill Farm Initiative Inc., said they’ve been meeting with an architect on the planned re-development of the 100,000 square feet of continuous buildings, adding that the roof had to be removed anyway due to the presence of asbestos. The site the buildings sit on is approximately 54 acres. Besides the roof, she said the existing structure can be salvaged and used with the new development.

“Since the cave-in two weeks ago, right now we’re meeting with the architect,” said Giovanoni.

The proposal for the site is to construct a mixed-use building with affordable housing, as well as a hydroponic farm, which she said would add jobs to the area.

“It’ll be wonderful for the town – everybody needs more affordable housing,” said Giovanoni. “Locally-grown produce is the best that you can get.”

The mill building, constructed in 1860, had been unoccupied since 2011 when the last occupant, Mylec Corp., moved to a new facility on Gardner Road/Route 140 in Winchendon. In 2015, the building was acquired by the nonprofit Brandywine Farms, which owns the Mill Farm Initiative. The dam built to power the mill was decommissioned and torn down about two years ago.

Athol Daily News correspondent Greg Vine contributed to this report.

Max Bowen can be reached at mbowen@atholdailynews.com or 413-930-4074.