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.
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Adams Free Library Pastel Painting Workshops
ADAMS, Mass. — Award-winning pastel artist Gregory Maichack will present three separate pastel painting workshops for adults and teens 16+, to be hosted by the Adams Free Library.
Wednesday, April 24 The Sunflower; Wednesday, May 8 Jimson Weed; and Thursday, May 23 Calla Turned Away from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
Registration is required for each event. Library events are free and open to the public.
These programs are funded by a Festivals and Projects grant of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
This workshop is designed for participants of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Attendees will create a personalized, original pastel painting based on Georgia O’Keefe’s beautiful pastel renditions of The Sunflower, Jimson Weed and Calla Turned Away. All materials will be supplied. Seating may fill quickly, so please call 413-743-8345 to register for these free classes.
Maichack is an award-winning portraitist and painter working primarily in pastels living in the Berkshires. He has taught as a member of the faculty of the Museum School in Springfield, as well as at Greenfield and Holyoke Community College, Westfield State, and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
The Adams Beautification group, which has been quietly sprucing up the town since 2022, hopes to bring in more members of the community during a community cleanup day scheduled for Saturday, April 27. click for more
Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School history teacher Alla Chelukhova has been selected as the April Teacher of the Month. click for more
Desroches graduated from the Police Academy on March 22 in the top tier in his class. He's currently in the field training program and assigned to Sgt. Curtis Crane.
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Michael Wynn, who was selected in January to run the center, submitted a level operating budget of $57,500 but said he could pull funding from different lines to ensure there was money for advertising this fall.
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