Legacy Foundation Give Grant to Berkshire South

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PITTSFIELD – The Legacy Banks Foundation is supporting the Berkshire South Regional Community Center with a $3,500 grant for the 2007-2008 operating year. The grant was approved by foundation's board of directors at its third quarter 2007 meeting. According to Richard Sullivan, president of the foundation, "We are pleased to support important initiatives such as Berkshire South, which offers terrific programs to individuals who would be otherwise unable to afford it." Berkshire South provides cultural, recreational and health-related offerings to residents in and around Southern Berkshire County. With a mission of removing financial barriers to these programs, it helps bridge the gap between the economically diverse populations of southern Berkshire. Those operating the center form partnerships with local and national organizations with complimentary missions while responding to the changing needs of the community by offering unique programming. All of this is accomplished while making the programs accessible to everyone who wishes to partake regardless of their ability to pay. Berkshire South Executive Director Eliza Crescentini applauded Legacy for its support of the program, saying, "We are extremely grateful for the many ways Legacy Banks has supported the Southern Berkshire community. In partnership we have provided water safety experiences for school-aged children, encouraged volunteerism and improved lives of the residents of South County." Established in 2005, the Legacy Banks Foundation continues more than a century's philanthropic tradition of Legacy Banks and its associates who have contributed their time, talent and treasure for the betterment of the communities in which they have worked and lived. The foundation focuses its support in six major areas - affordable housing, economic development, education, health and human services, civic and community, and arts and culture.
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Construction is underway to transform the former Harry's Supermarket into a restaurant

Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building. 

"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu. 

A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building. 

White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.  

He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns. 

Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot. 

A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use. 

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