Pittsfield Businesses Look To Form New Downtown Coalition

By Joe DurwinPittsfield Correspondent
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Representatives from about 20 local businesses gathered on Tuesday night to explore the possibility of forming a new merchants association to lobby city government to address their concerns about the downtown area.
 
"The purpose of tonight's meeting was to see if there was any interest in having a grassroots effort of all of us coming together to become a political entity, some kind of political powerhouse down here," said Bisque, Beads & Beyond proprietor Donna Todd Rivers, one of the meeting's organizers, "and also to be a support for each other in the marketing department."
 
A number of attendees expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the existing business association, Downtown Pittsfield Inc., but Rivers, a former member of its executive committee, was adamant that this not be seen as an opposing effort.
 
"I don't want this to become an us-versus-them situation," said Rivers. "Because that's not what this is about."
 
Longtime retailer Steven Valenti also defended Downtown Pittsfield as an institution that does make valuable contributions to the central business district, but acknowledged failings in the organization.
 
"They do things a little on the slow side," admitted Valenti. "We should be getting more bang for our buck."
 
Parking availability, safety and the need for more free marketing opportunities were key subjects of consideration throughout the two-hour meeting held at Dottie's Coffee Lounge on North Street.
 
A nearly completed $75,000 study of the downtown parking situation was a point of considerable interest, and the merchants agreed on a need to pressure city government to implement desired changes.
 
"That's one issue I think this group can address. This is one of the largest groups I've seen in a long time, that's strength in numbers," said Valenti. "I think when that report comes out, then it's up to us to make sure that they implement it, and implement it ASAP." 
 
The group also shared a favorable view of the recently reintroduced downtown patrols, and discussed the need to find ways to continue the initiative despite growing concerns over the high cost of overtime pay required to maintain them with an understaffed Police Department. At current rates, these patrols are expected to cost an additional $108,000 per year, prompting Chief Michael Wynn to propose hiring additional officers, a budget addition that has been greeted with skepticism by the mayor's office.
 
"There's a perception that North Street is unsafe," said Lori Green, of Museum Facsimiles. "Unless we add security and make people feel safe, they're not going to come."
 
"Changing attitudes is a huge part of the work for any community," agreed city Cultural Director Megan Whilden.
 
Thomas Martin of Ordinary Cycles cited the monthly May-October 3rd Thursday events as one of the boons to North Street business in recent years, and many merchants agreed that more ways should be sought to create a sense of vibrancy.
 
"I'm pleasantly surprised and really encouraged by the turnout that's here tonight, and hopefully going forward it will continue to grow," said Rivers.  
 
The group will meet for a second time, at Bisque, Beads & Beyond, on Tuesday, May 27, at 6 p.m.

Tags: business development,   downtown,   

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Pittsfield CPA Committee Funds Half of FY24 Requests

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A few projects are not getting funded by the Community Preservation Committee because of a tight budget.

The projects not making the cut were in the historic preservation and open space and recreation categories and though they were seen as interesting and valuable projects, the urgency was not prevalent enough for this cycle.

"It's a tough year," Chair Danielle Steinmann said.

The panel made its recommendations on Monday after several meetings of presentations from applications. They will advance to the City Council for final approval.  

Two cemetery projects were scored low by the committee and not funded: A $9,500 request from the city for fencing at the West Part Cemetery as outlined in a preservation plan created in 2021 and a $39,500 request from the St. Joseph Cemetery Commission for tombstone restorations.

"I feel personally that they could be pushed back a year," Elizabeth Herland said. "And I think they're both good projects but they don't have the urgency."

It was also decided that George B. Crane Memorial Center's $73,465 application for the creation of a recreational space would not be funded. Herland said the main reason she scored the project low was because it didn't appear to benefit the larger community as much as other projects do.

There was conversation about not funding The Christian Center's $34,100 request for heating system repairs but the committee ended up voting to give it $21,341 when monies were left over.

The total funding request was more than $1.6 million for FY24 and with a budget of $808,547, only about half could be funded. The panel allocated all of the available monies, breaking down into $107,206 for open space and recreation, $276,341 for historic preservation, and $425,000 for community housing.

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