Pittsfield Signs Agreement on Tyler Street Initiative
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city has inked a deal with MassDevelopment to begin redevelopment efforts on Tyler Street.
Pittsfield was one of 10 Gateway Cities chosen in January to received funding and technical assistance from the Transformative Development Initiative.
As part of the agreement, MassDevelopment will provide a district revitalization plan for Tyler Street; evaluate sites, properties, housing stock, and buildings for appropriate reuse; and hold workshops on historic building rehabilitation, business improvement districts, marketing, and small business development.
"Transforming the Tyler Street neighborhood and business district has become a priority," said Mayor Daniel Bianchi in a statement. "In the past, resources have gone into updating North Street in Pittsfield and it is time we look into developing our other thriving neighborhoods."
The Tyler Street neighborhood includes the William Stanley Business Park and the proposed Berkshire Innovation Center, General Dynamics and SABIC. Tyler Street Business Group has been working with city officials and local businesses to encourage development along the mixed commercial and residential stretch, which runs from Allendale to Berkshire Medical Center. The area has also seen the redevelopment of the former Rice Silk Mill into housing and another group is working on the potential reuse of the closed St. Mary the Morningstar Church.
"The Tyler Street Business Group is very excited about working with MassDevelopment and the city of Pittsfield to make Tyler Street the thriving business district we know it can be," said Diane Marcella, president of the Tyler Street Business Group, in a statement.
MassDevelopment is scheduling kickoff meetings with each district this summer. The two additional Gateway Cities selected for regional planning services, Everett and Malden, had an Urban Land Institute National Advisory Panel in June.
TDI provides resources for all Gateway Cities with co-work grants for innovative collaborative workspaces, and small placemaking grants of $1,000 to $10,000 for small-scale projects supportive of district visions to help build community identity while supporting improvement of public spaces — such as pocket parks, pop-up stores, community gardens, and farmers' markets.
Tags: economic development, massdevelopment, tyler street,
