Local and college officials joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday afternoon.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts celebrated the completion of a two-year, $5 million renovation to Hoosac Hall on Thursday afternoon.
"It's a great building, always been a great building, and this project knocked it out of the park," said Dianne Manning, the director of residence life at MCLA and the former resident director — when she started working for the college in the 1980s — of Hoosac Hall.
The project was completed in two phases mostly during the previous two summers.
The first summer, the primary renovations were done to the bathrooms.
This past summer, the lobby was transformed into a residence floor. A new lobby was then built on the floor below, which was once home to the Hoosac Harbor, an open room set for games and activities. Now, the new lobby lies there, in addition to a massive study lounge, a kitchen, meeting rooms and a big-screen TV.
On the outside, the entrance was moved to the north side of the building.
President Mary Grant said these renovations created more space for a "living, learning community."
In addition to the more noticeable renovations, the mechanical systems were also upgraded for more efficient heating.
Grant stressed the renovations created more space for a "living, learning community."
"For those of you here who made this happen, hats off to you," Grant said.
Edward Adelman, executive director of the Massachusetts State College Building Authority, said he looks forward to continue working with MCLA. The MSCBA is a non-profit that works with the nine state colleges, primarily on residence halls.
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Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.
More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.
Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.
One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly.
"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."
Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.
Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.
One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly.
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