Lowe's in Plans for Plaza

By Tammy DanielsPrint Story | Email Story
NORTH ADAMS - The developer of the defunct North Adams Plaza is expected to appear before the City Council in two weeks with plans that will include the construction of a Lowe's Home Improvement store. Lowe's has long been rumored to be the anchor store for a shopping center on Curran Highway. Its name was first raised when Nigro Development LLC of Albany, N.Y., took out an option on the city's former gravel bank nearly two years ago. But that deal never closed. Now the big-box retailer is slated for the plaza shopping center, owned by Starwood Ceruzzi Co. of Fairfield, Conn. "It does look like it's going to happen this time around," Mayor John Barrett III told the council on Tuesday night. He said the site has been OKed by the home improvement company's real estate committee, but cautioned the plans were still preliminary. Representatives for Starwood Ceruzzi were scheduled to appear at the council meeting with a plan to reconfigure South State Street, which runs behind the plaza south to Adams. Barrett said some discrepancies were found in the documents, causing the developer to postpone the presentation. South State Street was left to the city when county government folded some years ago. The city will not maintain the road, said Barrett, but because it is the city's, any changes must be approved by the Planning Board, then by the council. "It is important that this road be maintained because the Petricca family does own the land in the back and will hopefully want to develop it someday," said the mayor. The plaza, empty since last summer, is expected to be demolished. The footprint of the new building or buildings means the road will have to be moved back toward the Petricca property. The developer will have to reconstruct and maintain the road. The new shopping plaza will have to go through the permitting process, including the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act office. Developers asked the city Conservation Commission to delineate wetlands on the property several weeks ago. If the permitting process goes smoothly, the mayor estimated completion in about 18 months. The deal to put a Lowe's on the former gravel pit site last summer fell through when the Adams Selectmen raised concerns about the possible effects on the town's sewer system, which serves that end of the city. Those worries have been eased by discussions with the mayor and Starwood Ceruzzi over the past few months. "There's been a good working relationship between the two communities about what's going on," said Barrett. "The mayor has the support of the Adams Selectmen," Chairman Joseph R. Dean Jr. told the North Adams Transcript on Monday. "I don't think there'll be any opposition. Last time, I think there was a lot of misunderstandings and things taken out of context. We just wanted some information — we weren't really opposed to it. ..." The building will be about 130,000 square feet and will likely employ about 100 people. A bank and drive-through is also on the plans. Starwood Ceruzzi bought the plaza for $2.5 million in 2004. That firm and Nigro joined forces, with Nigro as the silent partner, to develop both the plaza and the gravel pit. Nigro's option to purchase the city property for $700,000 expires in September, the latest of several extensions. Barrett said he informed the development group that it should purchase the property, or expect to pay a significant amount of money to continue the option. "I think they've got to fish or cut bait here as to what's going to happen," said the mayor. Tammy Daniels can be reached at tdaniels@iberkshires.com
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Weekend Outlook: Mother's Day & More

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Check out the events happening this weekend including fishing, plays, and more.

Editor's Pick

Wild Acres Fishing Derby
Wild Acres, Pittsfield
Time: Saturday, 8 to noon

This free fishing derby is for youth 14 and older. Catch the biggest fish to get a reward. The first 100 children will receive a free food voucher. 

More information here.

Daffodil & Tulip Festival
Naumkeag, Stockbridge
Time: Through Sunday
 
Final weekend to walk the grounds of Naumkeag and see the thousands of flowering bulbs. Timed tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be sold on-site. 
 
More information and ticket purchase here. 

Multiple Days

'Big Fish'
Taconic High School, Pittsfield
May 8, 9, 14, 15,16. Times vary at 2 and 7 p.m.

The Taconic Theater department stages "Big Fish," a musical about son who goes on an adventure to find the truth about his father's wild and unbelievable stories.

More information and tickets here.

'The Prom Musical'
Berkshire Community College
Showings Friday through Sunday

A small-town prom is getting too much attention when a student wants to bring her girlfriend as a date. A troupe of Broadway stars arrive in the conservative community out on a mission to help in this musical comedy.

More information and tickets here.

Baby Animals
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield
Time: 11 to 4, through May 10

A sure sign of spring is the arrival of baby animals at Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield. See lambs, piglets, calves, chicks and kids and enjoy events and activities throughout the Village, from daily talks about the farm and the Shakers to craft demonstrations to walks along the Farm & Forest Trail.

Admission is $8 to $20, free for children 12 and younger. More information here.

Friday

Night of Dreams Fundraising Gala: Berkshire Dream Center
Berkshire Hills Country Club, Pittsfield
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.

This annual gala is a major fundraiser for the nonprofit Berkshire Dream Center. Enjoy dinner, music, a silent auction, and more. 

More information and tickets here.

Dead Man's Waltz
Stationery Factory, Dalton
Time: 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy classic songs from bands like The Grateful Dead with a full bar. Bring your partner and dance and sing the night away.

More information and tickets here.

Friday Karaoke
Dalton American Legion
Time: 6 p.m.

More information here.

Karaoke Night
Methuselah Bar & Lounge, Pittsfield
Time: 9 to midnight

Bring your friends and sing your favorite songs.

More information here.

Saturday 

Mass Kids Lit Fest 
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield
Time: 10:30 a.m.

Children's author Carol Munro will do a "Springtime Storks" storytime, based on a true story of resilience and love between two migrating birds. Children will have the chance to create their own stork hand puppets and learn more about storks.

More information here.

'Williamstown in 1776'
Williamstown Historical Museum
Time: 11 a.m.
 
Local historian and Historical Commission Chair Dustin Griffin will speak on the politics and leaders of Williamstown at the start of the Revolution. The museum is at 32 New Ashford Road. 
 
More information here. 

Berkshire Carousel Opening Day
Berkshire Carousel, Pittsfield
Time: noon to 5 p.m.

The carousel on Center Street opens for the season with face painting and other activities.

More information here.

Mountain Mindfulness Yoga
Mount Greylock Visitor Center
Time: 1 to 2:15 p.m.

This free yoga class is open to all levels. Enjoy the mountain views and connect with nature.
More information here.

Rusted Chains
Zinky's Pub, Dalton
Time: 8 to 11 p.m.

Rusted Chains performs a tribute to the '90s.

More information here.

Sunday

50th Annual Mother's Day Women's 5K/Mile Walk
Berkshire Community College, Pittsfield
Time: 8 a.m.

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