image description — Greylock Glen Advisory Committee member George Haddad said development could take 30 years and it is important for the town to take it slow and be careful because it is the 'last 50 acres' the town has to develop.

Greylock Glen Finds No Interest From Developers

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
07:35PM / Thursday, January 12, 2012Print Story | Email Story

On the left, Edward Whatley, project manager for the building infrastructure at the Greylock Glen gave a detailed presentation on the work that is planned.

ADAMS, Mass. — The Greylock Glen Advisory Committee did everything but shout from the mountaintop and only got a tiny echo back.

In September, the committee blanketed developers, consultants, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, architects and real estate agencies asking for interest in developing a lodging and conference center on the 50 acres and received just one lonely response.

Now the committee is shifting focus back to developing campgrounds and hiking trails first in hopes to attract a developer in the future.

"We received a poor response," Donna Cesan, director of community development, said on Thursday. "I'm suggesting we focus more on the campground and put the conference center to the side for now."

The committee had originally planned to build a campground on the site first, followed by an amphitheater and lastly the conference center. Last year, the committee refocused on trying to generate support and finding an anchor for the project.

In September, the town sent out a request for expressions of interest to 30 developers, 30 developing consultants, advertised it in publications including New England Real Estate Journal and Boston Globe, and asked 25 other architectures, real estate and other development firms to share it with all of their contacts.

After receiving only one response by the Dec. 2 deadline, the committee had a consultant follow up with the developers to find out why there was no interest and the No. 1 reason was the economy.

"It is extremely difficult to secure private capital in this current economy," Cesan said. "About half of the respondents expressed concern about the location. They indicated that in this point in time, many firms can only secure financial backing in proven and primary markets like New York City or Boston."

Thirdly, developers shied away from the project because of a lack of nearby amenities, such as spas or fitness center, and the developer would have to construct those themselves and that it would not be possible without significant incentives from the town and state.

Committee member George Haddad said he wasn't surprised in the response because the of the size of the project.

"This is not going to be a quick and easy project," Haddad said. "I'm disappointed but I'm not surprised."

Without interest in the center, the committee will now try to make the land as "shovel ready" as possible by finishing permits, developing hiking trails and installing infrastructure. However, adding insult to injury, the project did not receive a $4.5 million MassWorks grant for the water, sewer, electric and road infrastructure but did receive $2 million from the state supplemental budget bill last year.

The committee planned $4.3 million in upgrades and the $2 million must be constructed by mid-2013. The committee will either have to scale back its infrastructure plan or find the additional funding. Cesan said the town has applied for $2 million through the federal Economic Development Administration and will continue to look at other funding option.

"I am confident it will all be paid by grants," Cesan said.

Edward Whatley, a project manager with the engineering firm Vanasse Hangen Brustlin hired for the infrastructure, suggested the project should focus this $2 million on digging as much of the roads as possible and installing water and sewer because the above-ground electric would not interfere with a possible development. A water tank that would provide fire protection to the campground would have to be scrapped this time around.

The series of setbacks for the project triggered fears of the same type of failure the town has seen on that land for years. Former Selectman Edward Driscoll got into a passionate back and forth with Haddad about the project. Driscoll said he feared the campground would be the end of development and the town will be stuck paying to maintain the area. Haddad responded by saying it was too important to the town to stop there. Development could last 30 years and the town will need to be careful and keep plugging away because it would reap benefits beyond the tax rolls, Haddad said.

"I think we're doing it the right way," Haddad said.

The plans for the infrastructure improvements are available below.
Greylock Glen Infrastructure Plans 2012
Tags: campground, Greylock Glen,

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Your Comments

iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.

Quite obvious through the sarcastic tone of the reporter that IBerkshires is rooting for this project to fail. They are almost ridiculing the Glen Advisory Committee. Maybe they get more hits if the projects fails! Great priorities.
from: Negativity to no end	on: 01-12-2012 08:51PM I Agree (25) - I Disagree (11)
Editor: You're confusing poetic license with sarcasm.
I Agree (6) - I Disagree (12)

Adams needs to focus on what it does best... Section 8 housing.
from: No Surprise	on: 01-12-2012 11:08PM I Agree (9) - I Disagree (24)

Funny. I heard the town had some developer interest back in the mid 2000s. I wonder what happened?
from: Crazy	on: 01-13-2012 07:09AM I Agree (15) - I Disagree (0)

I think iBerkshires should root for it to fail, though I don't think they are, this is just a dumb idea. It's been a dumb idea all the way back to Alan Cantor - Adams is trying force a market where one doesn't exist. An environmental / alternate energy hands on teaching facility (much like the ones out in Colorado) is the obvious best use of this property. Tying in with MCLA, BCC, and Williams College's environmental programs would help secure the project.
from: Huh	on: 01-13-2012 08:20AM I Agree (17) - I Disagree (16)
Editor: We support the project.
I Agree (8) - I Disagree (2)

Sorry but no one cares about this project and it SHOWS!!No one but George Haddad and the Greylock Glen Advisory Committee members.
from: oh adams , oh adams	on: 01-13-2012 08:52AM I Agree (7) - I Disagree (25)

Really, Crazy, the economy tanked.
from: lila	on: 01-13-2012 09:53AM I Agree (11) - I Disagree (1)

huh, if you spent any time at all at the Greylock Glen to see the amount of people that are up there on a daily basis, it's amazing, it's the busiest place in town, you would understand that we need to find a way to utilize that to our advantage.
from: lila	on: 01-13-2012 09:59AM I Agree (23) - I Disagree (4)

hey oh adams, what is that you care about, anything? Or do you just pee on everyone else's ideas without any better suggestions.
from: lila	on: 01-13-2012 10:03AM I Agree (20) - I Disagree (2)

I'm pretty confident that "Oh Adams" has none of their own ideas. They just criticize everyone else and it makes them feel better about the fact that they have nothing to offer their community. The quicker Adams roots out the naysayers, the better for everyone else.
from: Amused	on: 01-13-2012 10:23AM I Agree (19) - I Disagree (2)

The major problem for any economic development in north county is a complete lack of a convenient way to travel. The roads we have are substandard and old, their set up limits travel speeds and passing lanes. The time it takes to get from a highway (or anything like one) to the glen is an eternity by city standards. We do have cities nearby with large populations, it's just difficult for them to see us beyond all the traveling. We are only 160 miles form NYC and only 145 miles from Boston. This is nothing in comparison to Manchester VT, or to Maine. (of course if we put in connection roads to the highway, our downtowns will suffer right? ha!)
from: truth is	on: 01-13-2012 11:09AM I Agree (27) - I Disagree (0)
Editor: I think you're on the money there. The sad thing is that once you could get here from there. North County has to work together to create a destination that will lure people. Let's see if North Adams gets any bites on Heritage Park.
I Agree (21) - I Disagree (1)

Look at it this way: If there was a market for a development at the Glen - any interest at all - it would exist. The fact that it doesn't exist means there's no market for it.
from: long time coming	on: 01-13-2012 12:16PM I Agree (9) - I Disagree (16)

I admit I am not an expert on state funding and the like...but, I can understand frustration about this project (if you can even call it a project). What we seem to have had plenty of is ideas. From a casino to a golf course to a campground to housing etc... What we can't seem to do is make a decision and make it happen. In the meantime, and now the mean time according to George is the next 30 years the townspeople wait and wonder what is next.It is long past time to make something happen, which could include deciding it should stay as open space. Doesn't the state or federal government sometimes pay money to keep land undeveloped? Could this be an option?The way this is going our grandkids will be lucky to see anything done.
from: Adams Guy	on: 01-13-2012 12:24PM I Agree (22) - I Disagree (1)

Lila - I'm not doubting the Glen is a busy place, I've been there many a time. If there were a charge to enter however, I think the use would dwindle severely - as seen at all our local state parks. I believe the Glen to have huge potential, just not in the bursting bubble of the "creative economy" (which I predicted 2 yrs ago). If you look at what are the fastest growing college majors and economic sectors - environment and energy are at or near the top. People are traveling long distances to learn about decentralized energy production and installation, permaculture, aquaculture, and sustainability (and will be for the foreseeable future). The Mid-West and West Coast have many of institutions dedicated to these knowledge bases - the East Coast - not so much.
from: Huh	on: 01-13-2012 01:03PM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (6)

Maybe now since there are parties interested in building a casino/resort in the Berkshires it might be time to consider a small casino with resort lodging and environmental programs offered.
from: Interested Party	on: 01-13-2012 01:04PM I Agree (10) - I Disagree (10)
Editor: Unlikely. Don't forget this is not a town project; it's a state project with the town as developer. There are lots of partners in this and a casino's a nonstarter with most of them.
I Agree (6) - I Disagree (2)

Hey people, Adams will never change. The only way to create a change is to have a by pass through north county from south county. Any tourist that comes to the Berkshires stays in south county because of the highway access. No one wants to travel to north county because it's full of police every 1 mile taking radar and the speed limit is 35mph most of the way. It takes too long to get from south to north county FOR NOTHING. There is nothing here and never will be. 1 response!!!! JOKE!
from: OH ADAMS	on: 01-13-2012 01:43PM I Agree (12) - I Disagree (11)

Donna Cesan has put a HUGE amount of energy into this project, she's done pretty much all she could possibly do to get this off the ground and I know her intentions were to bring something to Adams that would create a big draw for local businesses. Now that the Glen development seems to be changing (possibly to a campground, trails, etc...) if not being put on the back burner for a long while, I hope she'll put even more energy into helping find funding for the old theater on Park St. That's a huge project with some really interesting green energy aspects that could provide a draw directly to Park Street in addition to the bike trail (and bring a unique audience along with it). Honestly, if the theater had been done by now I'm guessing developers may actually have been more interested in the Glen. It may not be a spa, but it would be a significant "amenity" to have a local entertainment venue of that caliber. Best of luck Donna.
from: NARez	on: 01-13-2012 02:39PM I Agree (4) - I Disagree (15)

Couple of things---1) North County suffers from a lack of bed space. We all think our lot will improve if we increase this--but I think it might be a case of "it isn't there because the market isn't there." What possible reason (other than to walk your dogs!) would people have for going to the Glen, or, unfortunately, to Adams? Honestly? This isn't much of a destination...there's no infrastructure to support it. 2) "We need to find a way to tap into the number of people up at the glen" --the many people you see are, excuse the frankness, using the glen as a doggie toilet. And maybe getting a little exercise, too. They're not spending money, or doing anything that would generate revenue...and as soon as it cost something to use the glen, they'd stop coming. I love the suggestion a poster made that the town investigate getting a subsidy for leaving the land GREEN and undeveloped. That will undoubtedly generate more revenue than developing that space into a boondoggle ever will.
from: Glen Hiker	on: 01-13-2012 03:42PM I Agree (7) - I Disagree (9)

Lets have skiing from the Tower down. 18 hole of golf, and a casino. the tree hugging whackos have ruined it!
from: Young Coot	on: 01-13-2012 09:39PM I Agree (17) - I Disagree (5)

Its time is gone, this goes back to the early 50's its over, it will only fail, try and see if Adams can get back the building that now has the visitor center snd use that land for a new state of the art FireDept., now thats getting a bang for your buck.
from: DBCooper	on: 01-14-2012 04:35PM I Agree (0) - I Disagree (12)

Lets drop the Greylock Glen idea cause no one is really interested in it.
from: local resident	on: 01-14-2012 10:45PM I Agree (4) - I Disagree (15)

The main problem with everything around here, as I see it, is that no matter what is suggested in Adams or North Adams you have a great number of residents that have never even vacationed outside of this area and are very tight with every nickel so none of them think outside the box.
from: lila	on: 01-15-2012 11:06AM I Agree (14) - I Disagree (2)

What the real problem with the Glen issue as it stands is for years we have spent our tax money on studies and experts and plans and removing invasive plants and for what? The experts and consultants are making out GREAT! If this were a business it would be bankrupt ten times over. You can't wait 30 years to develop a business plan. That is letting the business run you instead of you running the business. Do something or do nothing but either is better than the waste of time and tax money that is taking place. How much more will we spend over the next 30 years??
from: Adams Guy	on: 01-16-2012 12:25PM I Agree (7) - I Disagree (1)

Just to set record striaght. I was taking about the very first plan. This had the golf course, a lake for recreation,downhill skiing [ very limited] 1200 Condos etc and much more would have take more then Thirty Years for full buildout. That was what I was told at that time by the Developer. The reportter made a mistake.
from: George Haddad	on: 01-16-2012 02:04PM I Agree (4) - I Disagree (0)

There was a beautiful (top 10 in the state if ranked) golf course built and playable in the early 1970's at the Glen, and the project managers could not get that going, I think due to funding. I don't think it opened at all but some people 'unofficially' played it. That was a sad waste of a true gem of a golf course. Good luck this time Adams! Don't let the naysayers get you down. The views are beautiful all through the Adams/Cheshire valley!
from: bring back the golf course	on: 01-17-2012 08:19AM I Agree (7) - I Disagree (2)

One word - preservation I personally hope it goes un-developed or at max a very low impact development. It is beautiful for one reason, its natural state.
from: Jason	on: 01-18-2012 04:33PM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (9)

I agree with Jason, I love that land and would like to see it left unspoiled for nature enthusiasts and hikers.I wrote this poem as an advocate of natural preserved land. The Greylock Glen Leave the glen alone all by itself or instead- go there for respite, tranquility, bird-watching. Listen to the breezes while the water trickles. Lie down upon the ground, watch the clouds pass by. The glen is self-sustaining. The glen gives border to orchards. The glen is a protectorate. The glen gives peace of mind. The glen is a reminder that without protest some big moneyed beast will end the glen. Concrete roads and erect signs will steal its fragile existence. The glen is precious, a niche of natural beauty. Leave the glen alone all by itself! Linda Bratcher Wlodyka
from: Linda	on: 01-18-2012 04:59PM I Agree (3) - I Disagree (9)

Needs to be a strong push for a casino, the town should be talking to the big ones and push it in, the "Western Mass" license is going to end up in Palmer. We have no "factories" for jobs, everyone talks about bring a tourist area well you need something to attract them and a Casino would do that. the jobs it would make would give a job to everyone from central to northern Berkshire one if they wanted it. this would be a great location for one it would bring money from NY and VT into Mass, turning stone and the CT are not that close so no major overlap, Saratoga Casino is all video, We need somebody to be talking to Caesars Entertainment, they know what they are doing and have opened in many states.
from:	on: 01-18-2012 05:15PM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (4)

I agree with Linda - enjoy it as it is because it's beautiful. Build all kinds of crap on it and charge fees and you'll be hurting the locals. Build some nice mountain bike, hiking and running trails plus cross country skiing trails and you'll get some visitors who might stay in local accomodations, eat in local restaurants. Or are there any in Adams?
from: Brad	on: 01-18-2012 06:05PM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (6)

There has not been an once of progress in Adams for 70 year except the bike trail which by way the worked out fantastic. Progress in this town is always stifled by a bunch of naysayers who have never lived anywhere else or even gone on vacation beyond the North East but they all seem to think they are the authority of what will work. The town has been dying a slow death for the last 50 years because no one every feeds it.
from: Adams please	on: 01-20-2012 11:30AM I Agree (5) - I Disagree (1)

Letter: Progress Means Moving on Paper Mill Cleanup

Letter to the Editor05:00PM / Wednesday, February 11, 2026

To the Editor:

Our town is facing a clear choice: move a long-abandoned industrial site toward cleanup and productive use or allow it to remain a deteriorating symbol of inaction.

The Community Development team has applied for a $4 million EPA grant to remediate the former Curtis Mill property, a site that has sat idle for more than two decades. The purpose of this funding is straightforward: address environmental concerns and prepare the property for safe commercial redevelopment that can contribute to our tax base and economic vitality.

Yet opposition has emerged based on arguments that miss the point of what this project is designed to do. We are hearing that basement vats should be preserved, that demolition might create dust, and that the plan is somehow "unimaginative" because it prioritizes cleanup and feasibility over wishful reuse of a contaminated, aging structure.

These objections ignore both the environmental realities of the site and the strict federal requirements tied to this grant funding. Given the condition of most of the site's existing buildings, our engineering firm determined it was not cost-effective to renovate. Without cleanup, no private interest will risk investment in this site now or in the future.

This is not a blank check renovation project. It is an environmental remediation effort governed by safety standards, engineering assessments, and financial constraints. Adding speculative preservation ideas or delaying action risks derailing the very funding that makes cleanup possible in the first place. Without this grant, the likely outcome is not a charming restoration, it is continued vacancy, ongoing deterioration, and zero economic benefit.

For more than 20 years, the property has remained unused. Now, when real funding is within reach to finally address the problem, we should be rallying behind a practical path forward not creating obstacles based on narrow or unrealistic preferences.

I encourage residents to review the proposal materials and understand what is truly at stake. The Adams Board of Selectmen and Community Development staff have done the hard work to put our town in position for this opportunity. That effort deserves support.

Progress sometimes requires letting go of what a building used to be so that the community can gain what it needs to become.

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