MONTAGUE — The town has received an additional $5 million from the state Department of Conservation and Recreation for its planned demolition and site restoration of the former Strathmore mill complex at 20 Canal St.

The additional money comes after the Environmental Protection Agency delivered a $4.92 million grant for the same work, bringing the total funding from federal and state grants to nearly $10 million.

Town Administrator Walter Ramsey feels optimistic around the new funding that will contribute to demolition, but eventual restoration of the site for public use will be assessed later on.

“Right now the primary focus is the building demolition and cleaning off the site,” Ramsey said. “We’re still determining the finishing touches of the riverfront open space, and we’re not exactly sure how far the money will get us, but we’re optimistic that will get us the whole way.”

Ramsey takes on this project following the end of Steven Ellis’ tenure as town administrator, although Ramsey has worked on the project for several years in collaboration with Ellis as assistant town administrator.

“I’ve been working on the planning for the mill district for the last 14 years, and trying to redevelop this area. It’s really exciting to have a funded project to work on that’s really going to transform the town’s relationship with the river,” Ramsey said.

In an announcement about the DCR funding, Ellis said the money will help address concerns about the property’s dangers.

“This will enable the town to proactively and responsibly address the substantial risks associated with an uncontrolled collapse of the mill, which is increasingly imminent,” Ellis stated.

Similarly, Gov. Maura Healey noted that the new round of funding will mitigate environmental and public safety risks posed by the mill in its current state.

“This funding will restore the Strathmore mill site and the waterfront, ensuring that Montague residents, businesses and visitors can safely enjoy the natural beauty of the town and paving the way for further economic development,” Healey said in a statement.

A Planning Board meeting on June 25 provided further context to the demolition plans. Town Planner Maureen Pollock explained that the complex contains multiple buildings, all of which require demolition planning to ensure the integrity of the infrastructure not being demolished.

“Similar to designing for new construction, there needs to be design for demolition,” Pollock said.

An unplanned demolition of the mill would release potentially dangerous substances into the canal, she said.

The demolition of the mill is planned for 2025, ahead of the state Department of Transportation’s $54 million bridge replacement project slated to begin in 2027 in Montague.

The Strathmore mill was opened in 1874 under the Keith Paper Co., and was purchased in 1954 by the Strathmore Paper Co. where its namesake originates. The mill ceased paper manufacturing in 1994 and has been passed between owners. A 2007 arson fire destroyed part of the building complex and it has remained vacant since.

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.