$2.2M Price Tag for Springside House Restoration

Architect Lynn Smith was hired to look at the condition and possible reuse of the historic Springside House.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Renovations to Springside House comes with a $2.2 million bill.

A feasibility study performed by CME Architects has developed an estimate to restore the historic building in Springside Park to accommodate an array of uses.

The total, hitting $2.2 million, is looked to be spread out over a long period of time and come from various funding sources, according to the city's Director of Parks and Open Spaces Jim McGrath.

"We will really try to get this project done. The longer we wait, the more expensive it will be," McGrath said, adding that it is eyed to be 10 to 15 years before all of the renovations are completed. "The sooner we get into this project, the better. This is the golden opportunity to put some love back into the Springside House."

First, the city will be prioritizing needs to keep the building from further deteriorating. McGrath specifically said the foundation needs work. Architect Lynn Smith estimated that to cost $170,000.

Smith estimated that just short of $1 million would be needed to bring the building up to some usable conditions and another $1.3 to make it "habitable." The big-ticket items include $645,000 for exterior repairs; adding an elevator at a cost of $200,000 to make the entire building accessible for the public; $315,000 for the mechanical systems; $200,000 for interior renovations and $120,000 for the porches and entrances.

"I know that seems pricey but I think it is a great investment in the Springside House's future," Smith said.

In March, the city held a public meeting to gain ideas for the reuse of the building. That meeting produced a large list of possibilities. Smith reviewed those notes and determined that the building could house nearly all of them at once.

She created two floor plans that divided the rooms into various spaces — from offices to meetings to apartments to event areas and a visitor's center.

Jim McGrath says the project is eyed for 10 to 15 years out.

Nearly half of the respondents (45 percent) voiced support of a visitor's center, which included environmental education and park and city history. Another 28 percent wanted meeting and event spaces; 13 percent, museum spaces; 10 percent, nonprofit and municipal offices, and 4 percent, a housing component.

Smith said all of those options can be addressed at once in the building. And, the possible floor plans show that they can all happen without taking out floors, walls or ceilings. McGrath added that there needs to be an income-generating component involved to help generate funds for the house and the park.

"We have, very intentionally, have sought to respect the original architecture of the house," McGrath said.

The Parks and Open Space Department is currently launching a master plan for the entire Springside Park, which is expected to dovetail into the Springside House's plans, McGrath said.

"I would hope that the master plan or any improvements to the park can happen in tandem with the development of the Springside House," he said.

As for restoration of the home, McGrath said a variety of funds could be sought and that the city is open to considering "creative" partnerships to make it happen.

"We're in this for a long haul. This is not a two-year project. This is in the 10 to 15 year project. But we need to start now," he said.

Pittsfield Remembers Lives Lost to Overdose, Underscores Harm Reduction

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:33AM / Tuesday, September 01, 2026

Mayor Peter Marchetti reads a proclamation at City Hall encouraging residents to raise awareness and lift each other up. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Dozens of people gathered downtown on Monday to remember those lost to overdose and work toward a future of zero deaths from substance use disorder. 

The Berkshire Overdose and Addiction Prevention Collaborative and its partners held a proclamation reading and flag-raising at City Hall, followed by a standout in Park Square with signs promoting the use of naloxone, harm reduction, and reducing associated stigma. 

There were 23 fatal overdoses in Berkshire County in 2025, 11 in Pittsfield. This is down 44 percent from the 41 countywide fatalities in 2024. 

While it is a significant decrease, advocates want to see that number at zero. 

"On the one hand, we're very pleased to see this significant of a decrease. This is actually the lowest number that we've had since [Department of Public Health] started collecting these numbers in 2013, but the goal is still zero," said Andy Ottoson, public health planner with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. 

August is International Overdose Awareness Month, the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those lost without stigma, and acknowledge the grief of families and friends left behind. September is National Recovery Month, a national observance to educate the public on the importance of substance use treatment and mental health services.

Samantha Kendall of Berkshire Harm Reduction explained that it is truly meeting people where they are, as they are, and when they are, "and I think we all do a really great job at that."

"We also want to remember that we're building a community for everybody, and systems and policies for everybody. That's really important in harm reduction work, so that's also the reason we're here today," she said.