Becker College, Massachusetts, wants to renovate a former local industrial entrepreneur, John Woodman Higgins's two and a half-story, 100-year-old home into a classroom for its video game design program.

However, the Historical Commission has asked for more clarification regarding the college's proposal to replace many of its windows with energy-efficient ones. It also wants to know the cost that will be incurred in the replacements.

The college will have to be ready with the information by March.7.

Ken Cameron, assistant vice president of administration, told the Telegram that many of the windows are non-tempered with a single-pane glass that is not insulated.

Cameron said that the college would like to make it as energy efficient as possible.

Historical Commission Chairman, Timothy McCann, told the newspaper that whenever somebody wants to replace any original windows, we first think whether the existing ones can be repaired and saved.

"The current windows clearly have architectural and historical value," Commissioner James Crowley told the newspaper. "So if we are going to consider economic hardship to allow for the replacement of these windows, we need a fairly detailed analysis of what the cost would be to repair them compared to the replacement cost."

In order to proceed with the project, the college has to first receive approval from the Historical Commission. If the Historical Commission determines that the building is preferably preserved, a delay period is imposed.

The Massachusetts demolition delay law follows a 12 month demolition delay period to consider other alternatives to the demolition of the building.

Without getting a nod from these departments, the college cannot proceed with the renovation.

The college owns this ancient bungalow since 2011. Its property features 9,147-square-foot main home, with 17 total rooms, and a 1,640-square-foot detached carriage house.

William J. Maisello, the project architect told the newspaper that if the project is agreed to by the departments, the first floor of the house will be used for hosting seminars and conferences.

On the other hand, the second floor will be used to incorporate video gaming design pods, sufficient for 15 students, and support staff. Meanwhile, the carriage house would be converted into two computer labs/classrooms.