Adams was one of 58 towns and cities receiving $30.5 million in CDBG funds announced on Thursday. Also receiving grants are Becket, Buckland, Monterey and North Adams.
The federal CDBG grants, administered by the state, help cities and towns respond to specific housing, community, and economic development projects that support low- and moderate-income residents, or revitalize underserved areas.
"Flexible block grant funding allows our cities and towns to respond to specific local needs," said Gov. Baker. "These investments will support long-term economic growth and positive changes in transportation infrastructure, housing markets, and community spaces."
The town of Adams applied for and received the maximum funding of $800,000 (that had been $1 million in the past), nearly $700,000 of which will go toward the parking lot construction.
The more than decade-old lot has been cracking and heaving, suffers from drainage issues and is difficult to maneuver.
The plans by Waterfield Design Group of Winchester will pave 58,600 square feet, update sidewalks for accessibility, retrofit the stormwater system and add rain gardens. The middle island will be removed, 23 more spaces added and spots realigned to make parking easier for buses. A number of amenities — lighting, benches, landscaping etc. — will also be added in.
The cost is estimated at $600,625, with $71,655 in program delivery. With the grant now assured, bidding is expected in the fall with completion next spring.
The balance of the funds will be used for design work on reuse of the historic Hoosac Valley Coal & Grain building on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and general administration.
North Adams has a lengthy list for its $825,000, including a do-over of the stonework on the Armory. The multi-phase renovation of the former state building has occurred over the past decade as its been prepared to host social services agencies, community activities and youth sports.
Much of the interior is complete and the long-deteriorating parking lots should be finished this year. The stonework, however, began failing and the city has been unable to push the vendor to redo the work done eight years ago because it is past the one-year, state-set warranty. The cost to redo the work is set at $254,250.
The city is also using $342,000 for roofing, electrical and heating and cooling updates at the Mary Spitzer Senior Center, built in the 1970s. Design for that work was done with 2014 CDBG funds.
Another $75,000 is going toward a roof replacement at the Berkshire Family YMCA; $10,000 toward the local historical inventory and survey; five social services programs will received $4,000 each; and general administration is $123,750.
Becket will receive $772,800 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 20 units and Buckland will receive $541,868 for infrastructure improvements to Green Street and to support a food pantry. Monterey will receive $800,000 for housing rehabilitation for 18 units.
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Greylock Glen Outdoor Center 90% Complete
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
ADAMS, Mass. — The Greylock Glen Outdoor Center is about 90 percent finished with an anticipated completion date in August.
Matthew Sturz of owner's project manager Colliers International updated the Selectmen on the project's progress via Zoom on Wednesday.
"We'll work with the town to determine exactly the logistics of that," he said in response to questions about the opening. "I think that there's certainly interest in getting the facility open as soon as it can open. But we do need to conclude the construction activities ... it's not federally advisable to have construction activity going on with the public."
The completion will depend on getting a certificate of occupancy for the 10,000-square foot facility.
The $8.3 million project is running eight months behind the expected schedule, Sturz said, largely because of permitting with the state Department of Environmental Protection that required an extensive environmental review of endangered species, working with National Grid to determine how solar will be integrated into the project, and the need for a water system for both potable water and fire suppression.
"Transformers and all manner of electrical switchgear is being significantly impacted by supply chain issues throughout the construction industry," said Sturz. "So coordinating those items up front took a little bit longer than anticipated."
A 350,000-gallon water tank is being constructed on the grounds to provide water with completion expected by July or August.
Michael Wynn, who was selected in January to run the center, submitted a level operating budget of $57,500 but said he could pull funding from different lines to ensure there was money for advertising this fall.
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The Selectmen on Wednesday night voted to award the bid to Mackin Construction Co. Inc. of Greenfield, which plans to invest $11 million to build out 20 or more one- and two-bedroom apartments in the three-story classroom wing that parallels Columbia Street.
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The Selectmen two weeks ago had requested the utility appear before the board after receiving numerous complaints over flickering lights, including in Town Hall.
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Taylor Garabedian scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed five rebounds, and Abby Scialabba scored 16 points for the ‘Canes, who got 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists from Ashlyn Lesure. click for more
On Saturday afternoon at Lowell’s Tsongas Center, the Hurricanes will take aim at Division 5 State Championships in girls and boys basketball. click for more