ADAMS, Mass. — The town has received $800,000 in 2017 Community Development Block Grant funds to reconfigure the parking lot at the Adams Visitors Center. 

 

Adams was one of 58 towns and cities receiving $30.5 million in CDBG funds announced on Thursday. Also receiving grants are Becket, Buckland, Monterey and North Adams.

 

The federal CDBG grants, administered by the state, help cities and towns respond to specific housing, community, and economic development projects that support low- and moderate-income residents, or revitalize underserved areas.

 

"Flexible block grant funding allows our cities and towns to respond to specific local needs," said Gov. Baker. "These investments will support long-term economic growth and positive changes in transportation infrastructure, housing markets, and community spaces."

 

The town of Adams applied for and received the maximum funding of $800,000 (that had been $1 million in the past), nearly $700,000 of which will go toward the parking lot construction. 

 

The more than decade-old lot has been cracking and heaving, suffers from drainage issues and is difficult to maneuver. 

 

The plans by Waterfield Design Group of Winchester will pave 58,600 square feet, update sidewalks for accessibility, retrofit the stormwater system and add rain gardens. The middle island will be removed, 23 more spaces added and spots realigned to make parking easier for buses. A number of amenities — lighting, benches, landscaping etc. — will also be added in. 

 

The cost is estimated at $600,625, with $71,655 in program delivery. With the grant now assured, bidding is expected in the fall with completion next spring.

 

The balance of the funds will be used for design work on reuse of the historic Hoosac Valley Coal & Grain building on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and general administration.

 

North Adams has a lengthy list for its $825,000, including a do-over of the stonework on the Armory. The multi-phase renovation of the former state building has occurred over the past decade as its been prepared to host social services agencies, community activities and youth sports. 

 

Much of the interior is complete and the long-deteriorating parking lots should be finished this year. The stonework, however, began failing and the city has been unable to push the vendor to redo the work done eight years ago because it is past the one-year, state-set warranty.  The cost to redo the work is set at $254,250.

 

The city is also using $342,000 for roofing, electrical and heating and cooling updates at the Mary Spitzer Senior Center, built in the 1970s. Design for that work was done with 2014 CDBG funds. 

 

Another $75,000 is going toward a roof replacement at the Berkshire Family YMCA; $10,000 toward the local historical inventory and survey; five social services programs will received $4,000 each; and general administration is $123,750.

 

Becket will receive $772,800 to provide housing rehabilitation assistance to 20 units and Buckland will receive $541,868 for infrastructure improvements to Green Street and to support a food pantry. Monterey will receive $800,000 for housing rehabilitation for 18 units.