"The existing building is 125 years old," said Executive Director Edward Forfa. "This will allow us to improve upon the services we provide."
Over the organization's rich history, it has changed from being an independent living center to providing more skilled nursing and rehabilitation services.
The new structure has 27 long-term care beds on the upper floor, 13 short-term beds and 14 memory supports on the second floor. The first floor features office, lobby, chapel, spa, beauty salon and rehabilitation gym.
"We have an enhanced rehabilitation space," Forfa said when asked what features of the new building stand out the most.
That space will be used to help patients recover from knee, hip and similar type surgeries and injuries. But Forfa also said the common areas stand out because of their intimate nature, featuring fireplaces and chairs for residents to share.
Rob Rosier, who managed the construction site for Allegrone Construction, said an average of 100 workers — a mix of carpenters and subcontractors — were on site each work day in the last 13 months to finish on the "aggressive schedule."
"It was an aggressive schedule for a building of this size," he said.
The church was demolished in September 2013 and the foundation laid in January. Workers braved the bitter cold winter and polar vortexes to finish the steel work.
"With some great weather in the summer, we were able to make up for any delays from the winter," Rosier said.
Allegrone did the carpentry work in house as well as manage the entire project. It subcontracted items such as the plumbing, heating system and electrical. Forfa said the nonprofit tried to hire as many local companies as possible.
"We're community-centered," Forfa said. "We're not a chain. We're not a public company."
Mayor Daniel Bianchi said nonprofits like Berkshire Place fill a need in the city. He said an elderly skilled nursing and outpatient rehabilitation center is the perfect replacement for the aging church.
"It came out beautifully and there is such a need for a facility like this," he said.
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Tickets On Sale for Berkshire Flyer
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Amtrak, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), announced tickets are now on sale for the Berkshire Flyer.
The Berkshire Flyer is a seasonal summer passenger rail service that operates between New York City from Moynihan Train Hall and Pittsfield. The service, which began as a successful pilot in 2022, is scheduled to resume on Friday, June 21 through Monday, Sept. 2 for Labor Day weekend. Trains depart New York City Friday nights and return at the end of the weekend, leaving Pittsfield Sunday afternoon.
In addition, for the first time this year, the Berkshire Flyer service now includes a train from New York City to Pittsfield on Sunday mornings.
"We're thrilled to announce this season's Berkshire Flyer service," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. "The Berkshire Flyer makes visiting Western Massachusetts on weekends convenient, relaxing, and easy. We are pleased to continue our successful partnership with Amtrak, the New York State Department of Transportation and CSX."
The Berkshire Flyer departs from Moynihan Train Hall at 3:16 p.m. on Fridays and arrives at Joseph Scelsi Intermodal Transportation Center in Pittsfield at 7:27 p.m. The train will make all intermediate station stops as the scheduled Amtrak Empire Service train does in New York State on Fridays, which include Yonkers, Croton-Harmon, Poughkeepsie, Rhinecliff, Hudson, and Albany-Rensselaer Station.
The Sunday return trip, making all the same station stops, will depart Pittsfield at 3:35 p.m. and arrive in New York at 7:55 p.m. The new Sunday Berkshire Flyer train from New York City to Pittsfield will depart Moynihan Train Hall at 10:50 a.m. and arrive in Pittsfield at 3:15 p.m.
The Berkshire Flyer is building upon two successful seasons where some of the Pittsfield-bound trains were sold out well in advance. Based on that experience, passengers planning a trip are encouraged to purchase tickets early by visiting Amtrak.com, the Amtrak app or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.
Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.
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