Announcement Thursday on Williamstown Housing

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Efforts by local non-profits to address the town's affordable housing needs may be bearing fruit.

Higher Ground, Williams College and three other non-profits have scheduled an announcement for Thursday afternoon at the college.

Electronic invitations to the event refer to "an exciting announcement regarding affordable housing in Williamstown."

The invitation gives no specifics, but in December, a spokesperson for Higher Ground told iBerkshires.com that the group was seeking to acquire college land at the end of Southworth Street near the Proprietor's Field senior housing complex.

The invitation emailed out on Tuesday says the announcement will be made by Higher Ground, Berkshire Housing Development Corp., the college, the Williamstown Elderly Housing Corp. and the Boston-based Women's Institute for Housing and Economic Development.

Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:04AM / Tuesday, June 09, 2026

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.

 

But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.

 

"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."

 

"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.

 

Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.

 

The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.

 

Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.