PITTSFIELD – The Berkshire Museum has been awarded a $500,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation. The grant to the capital campaign "A Wider Window" is contingent upon the museum raising an additional $1.6 million by May 1, 2008.
"We are so proud that the prestigious Kresge Foundation has recognized the importance of this renovation, the strength of our campaign and fundraising capacity, and the support of our community," said Stuart A. Chase, executive director. "This is an important opportunity for the community to show their support to the Berkshire Museum. As we enter the final stretch of this campaign and begin construction on Phase II, we ask everyone who appreciates and benefits from the Berkshire Museum to step up, give, and make this crucial project a reality. By giving now, individuals can know that their contribution goes even farther. All gifts from this point forward will contribute to securing the half-million dollars from Kresge in the final stage of our campaign."
"The campaign has been tremendously successful and we still have more than $1 million to go," said Michael A. Christopher, chairman of the museum’s campaign cabinet. "We are confident that the community will rise to the occasion in recognition of the century of service the Berkshire Museum has provided to generation after generation. At this stage in the campaign, every gift, no matter the amount, counts tremendously. We hope that our community will be inspired by The Kresge Foundation’s stamp of approval to help us achieve this goal."
The campaign has raised 78 percent of its funds from community and private donors, and 22 percent from government sources, including a $670,000 matching grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund earlier this month.
Construction on Phase II — which includes the climate control (HVAC) system and the 3000-square foot Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation - began officially on Sept. 18. To complete the Phase II renovation and move on to Phase III (visitor amenities including a passenger-operated elevator, improved restrooms and museum shop and an improved education center), the museum must raise funds through private and public donors.
The Kresge Foundation is a $3 billion national foundation whose mission is to build stronger nonprofit organizations — catalyzing their growth, helping them connect with their stakeholders, and challenging them with grants that leverage greater support. The foundation concentrates its programming on capital campaigns as a key opportunity for nonprofit growth. At its September meeting, foundation's board awarded $45.5 million to nonprofit organizations in 29 states and the District of Columbia. The Kresge Foundation has been a driving force in the building of facilities for nonprofit organizations in the United States for 83 years. Its Capital Challenge Grant Program, which awards an organization a financial grant if it raises an agreed-upon amount of funds from private sources, has helped communities across the country build libraries schools, hospitals, museums, community centers and food banks, among other projects.
Key goals of the foundation are to help leverage support from new donors and to solicit higher levels of giving from past contributors. By retaining these new and increased donors, stronger, sustainable organizations are positioned to achieve their missions and strengthen communities.
The museum is at 39 South St. on Route 7. The galleries are open Monday through Saturday, 10 to 5, and Sundays noon to 5. For more information: (413) 443-7171, Ext. 10, or berkshiremuseum.org.
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PEDA Site 9 Preparation, Member Retirement
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The redevelopment of Site 9 for mixed-use in the William Stanley Business Park is set to take off.
Edward Weagle, principal geologist at Roux Associates, gave an update on the yearlong work to the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority last week.
"It's been a real pleasure for me to work on a project like this," he said. "This is kind of like a project of a career of a lifetime for me, and I'm very pleased to see that we're just at the finish line right now. My understanding is that all the documents are in front of the commissioner, waiting for her to sign off."
Mill Town Capital is planning to develop a mixed-use building that includes housing on the site. Roux, headquartered in Islandia, N.Y., was hired assist with obtaining grant financing, regulatory permitting, and regulatory approvals to aid in preparing the 16.5-acre site for redevelopment. Approximately 25,000 cubic yards of concrete slabs, foundations, and pavements were removed from the former GE site.
Once the documents are signed off, PEDA can begin the work of transferring 4.7 acres to Mill Town. Weagle said the closing on this project will make it easier to work on the other parcels and that he's looking forward to working on Sites 7 and 8.
PEDA received a $500,000 Site Readiness Program grant last year from MassDevelopment for Sites 7 and Site 8. The approximately 3-acre sites are across Woodlawn Avenue from Site 9 and border Kellogg Street.
In other news, the state Department of Transportation has rented the east side of the parking lot for CDL (Commercial Driver's License) training. This is an annual lease that began in September and will bring in $37,200 in revenue.
Lastly, the meeting concluded with congratulations to Maurice "Mick" Callahan Jr. on his retirement.
Callahan is a former chair and a founding member of PEDA, dating back to when the board was established in the 1990s. He has also served on a number of civic and community boards and has volunteered for many organizations in the Berkshires. He is the president of M. Callahan Inc.
"The one thing that's been a common denominator back is that you've always put others before yourself. You've served others well. You've been a mentor to two generations of Denmarks, and I'm sure many generations of other families and people within this city," said board Chair Jonathan Denmark. "We can never say thank you enough, but thank you for your services, for the creation of this board, your service to the city of Pittsfield, and to all the communities that you've represented and enjoy retirement."
"It wasn't always easy to be in the position that you were in Mick, but you handled it with so much grace, always respecting this community, bringing pride to our community," member Linda Clairmont said. "I could not have accomplished many of the things I did, especially here for this business part, without you all of the Economic Development discussions that we had really informed my thinking, and I'm so grateful."
Callahan left the team with a message as this was his final meeting, but said he is always reachable if needed.
"I also have to say that a lot of great people sat around this table and other tables before the current board, and the time that I had with Pam [Green] and Mike [Filpi] sticking around, the leadership of this mayor [board member Linda Tyer], and it really, it was always great synergy," he said.
"So don't be afraid to embrace change. And you know, you got a business model. It's been around long time. Shake it up. Take a good look at it, figure out where it needs to go, and you're lucky to have leadership that you have here."
Kyzer and Cali are both poodles. Kyzer is the male and is 7 years old, and a little bigger than his sister Cali, who is a miniature of Kyzer and 8 years old.
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A 700-square-foot outdoor water attraction is planned for the 2.1-acre park at 30 John Street. City officials hope to have it operational by summertime.
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