North Adams Seeking Proposals for Heritage Park
 The mayor said the city doesn't have the funds or manpower to properly maintain and market the park. |
The Redevelopment Authority, which oversees the park and other properties in the downtown, authorized the mayor's office on Thursday to draft a request for proposals to bring in private dollars to rejuvenate the languishing commercial development.
"It has a significant potential," said Mayor Richard Alcombright. "Unfortunately, as a city, we don't have the financial nor the people resources to maintain the park, market the park, and do the things really necessary ... to really drive the park as something productive for the city of North Adams.
The former railyard was developed nearly 30 years ago in a public-private venture for retail, restaurants and nonprofit ventures, including the Visitors Center operated by the state. But the city took over operations as the private money defaulted.
The mayor said the park structurally in good shape but needs renovations and upgrades to siding, roofing, windows and doors, among other items. He estimated that more than $200,000 is needed in immediate maintenance; replacing the roof on the Visitors Center building alone is $90,000.
At the same time, the state is committed to a new kiosk information program that could make the park a main entrance to Mount Greylock State Reservation. Some 280,000 people go up the mountain each year; the city would like to get at least 20 percent on the way down.
The idea is to go back to the original concept of private operations with the city holding the ground lease, said John Derosa, city solicitor. That would include the Sons of Italy property recently acquired by the city for $150,000 using park funds to ensure adequate parking. That depleted funds targeted for a park facelift.
"There's a sense that there may be some interest in investing in North Adams," said Derosa in response to a question on whether there had been inquiries about the park. "I think the idea that the future needs to rely on private investment and tax dollars is a motivating factor in moving forward now and we'll see what happens."
The basic tenets of the RFP would include:
- The qualifications of the applicant
- The benefits the city could expect, with emphasis on the new growth industries of tourisim, education and culture
- Addressing infrastructure issues
- Schedule for investment
- Alignment with original development plans
- Authority control to accept or reject any proposal
Alcombright said the concept had been under discussion for some time.
"I've said what we need to do is get some of these properties, in a sense, earning assets for the city and by earning assets we can get them on the tax roll and jump start some growth activity in that zone through privatization," said Alcombright. "I thinks it's the right time and the right thing to do at this time."
Tags: development, Heritage State Park,
