The HIstorical Commission is looking to beef up its mission of preservation.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — For the first time since its formation, the city's Historical Commission is pursuing funding to undertake more tangible goals in local history and preservation.

 

The commission has received pre-authorization to apply for a state grant from the Massachusetts Historical Commission that could enable it to conduct survey and planning activities surrounding some historic structures ideal for preserving.

 

Commission members hope that the up to $25,000 sought would allow for a full inventory of "at risk" buildings in the city, and potentially allow them to pick three important sites for more in-depth structural assessments.

 

"That way, if a company were interested in looking at one of these properties, it would already be done," Chaimanr John Dickson said at a meeting of the commission this week.

 

The grant application, due in early February, is being prepared in part with an eye toward examining possibilities for the former St. Mary the Morningstar church, Dickson said, though proper cataloging of a number of other local buildings is also intended.

 

"From a percentage point of view, the number of buildings that have been inventoried is rather small," said Kathy Reilly,

 

Other possible properties that may be considered for further assessment include the vacant William Russell Allen House on East Street, currently owned by the state.  

 

Also on the commission's radar is the city's Masonic Lodge on South Street, which is due to be sold in the near future. Commission member Thomas Martin suggested that this large building might be an ideal future site for either a new police station, or a replacement site for the Juvenile Court facilities currently housed on North Street.

 

If successful in receiving the grant, the commission hopes to capitalize on that momentum going into a second "Historic Preservation Summit," following up on one which it put on in November with another tentatively slated for March.

 

"That may be a way to attract some more public participation," said Dickson.

 

The commission is also adding its voice in support of historic tax credit applications for the planned Hotel On North, slated to open later this spring, and will also be engaged in the process of vetting more downtown buildings for commemoration in the plaques installed as part of the next phase of streetscape reconstruction on North Street this Summer.

 

In the coming year the commission is also exploring ways it can support and collaborate with the fledgling Berkshire History Network, a growing alliance of local historical commissions and other relevant organizations. It is also looking at ways to beef up the commission's own web presence on the city website with more information and resources. 

 

"Some of these goals are just low hanging fruit," said Eileen Myers.