Mayor John Barrett points to bright prospects for North Adams

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Just back from some time off, North Adams Mayor John Barrett III sat at his desk Monday, March 27, and spoke of the good things going on in the city. “It’s been unbelievable the amount of good news that’s probably going to be happening over the next 30 to 60 days, which could mean possibly as many as 100 new jobs in the city before the end of the year,” he said, adding that the concern involved is an Internet-related company. “They’re looking at several sites in the city, including the downtown, right now. There’s more than a ... 50 percent chance that that will happen.” In addition, “I have a letter on my desk that arrived just today indicating that a company is looking at 20,000 square feet. They’re very interested in the city, and it could create up to 200 jobs. “But you know, we may not have the room to place all these. Our biggest challenge now is to get some more space at MASS MoCA created,” he added. Creating adequate parking is another challenge. MASS MoCA may have to resurface the dirt lot it owns behind the Big Y supermarket, he said. “I don’t think it’s beyond the realm of possibility that if additional renovations are done at MASS MoCA ... we possibly could have anywhere from 200 to 300 people working there by the end of 2001, and there’s going to have to be a place for them to park,” he added. Barrett, who has served as mayor for 16 years, has in the past month been heavily involved in a controversy over a Website — northadamsfree.com — which charges the mayor with personal and official wrongdoing. Barrett has filed a libel suit in civil court against the two creators of the site, and the case is pending. The Advocate requested an interview with Barrett primarily to find out about the state of various projects in the city. River Street Barrett spoke of the possible development, shrouded in mystery, of a section of the north side of River Street. (See story, page 7). “Because it is ... a totally private-sector investment ... there has to be negotiations completed on that,” he said. “I can say, however, that the plans will probably call for an expenditure in excess of $3 million in that River Street corridor.” “To get that type of investment on River Street, I think, is a very positive thing. At the same time I’ve been in discussions with the state to see if I can’t secure an urban self-help grant, which is usually 50 percent, to develop park land or make available park land,” Barrett said. “What I would like to do is buy property on either side, east and west, of River Street, on the south side, to create park land along the river there.” He said he tried to do this about nine years ago but did not get council approval to purchase one of the properties on the south side near the river. “I will go back and give it another chance. If we apply for this urban self-help grant, we’ve hired appraisers to do appraisals on the property to see what they’re worth. If we can’t negotiate a fair price, then we would probably look at an eminent domain type of thing.” Barrett said he has not seen any definite plans for development on the north side of River Street, though he knows what the conceptual plans are. “It’s not a Super 8 Motel, it’s going to possibly be a bed-and-breakfast, an inn, but it’s not all in concrete just yet,” he said, adding that the project has no public funds. The Blackinton Block “I finally have got what I consider to be a shaky arrangement with some of my downtown landlords, but at least we’re on the same page now,” Barrett said. The mayor was speaking of Scarafoni Associates, who will be spending more than $1 million this year on improvements to the Blackinton Block. This nearly empty property runs along the east side of Holden Street, with commercial storefronts on the first floor and residential spaces on the floors above. The back of the property abuts the city’s Center Street parking lot. Barrett said the city will assist the work with tax breaks and with creating more parking. The project may eventually include knocking down a large back section of the former Newberry’s building to create more private parking for the apartments near or in the Center Street parking lot. Center Street parking lot “I’ve secured an additional $215,000 from the state through our PWED [Public Works Economic Development] program ... so that we can possibly extend the Center Street parking lot, hopefully this summer,” Barrett said. This is contingent upon having the time to design the project and approval from the state highway department. “Center Street will not be a through street any longer — you’ll have entrances from both the east and the west, and there might even be an exit out onto Route 2 itself,” he said. “I’d like to be able to also go out and extend the parking lot out into the middle of Route 2, in other words shrink that macadam expanse ... that sits out there between Big Y and Center Street.” This project would include a veterans memorial plaza near where a fountain now is across from St. Francis Church. The veterans honor roll would eventually be put here, he said. Housing and restaurants Barrett noted that 85 Main Street, an office building that the Center Street parking lot serves, is for sale, and part of the building might eventually be used for housing. “I’m hopeful that with the interest in the city and the new housing that we’re creating, that you will see two or three more restaurants — small restaurants — opening in the downtown area, because they’re going to be needed,” he said. In fact, Barrett said the remaining front part, after any demolition of the back portion, of the Newberry’s building would become an excellent spot for a small restaurant, with venting into an adjacent alley. Smaller specialty restaurants are desirable for downtown, he said. Plans are almost done on restoration of the interior of the historic Mohawk Theater on Main Street. “Our problem is finding $3 million to fund it, and we’re hoping that we’ll find a benefactor. I’m not counting too much on state money now because of the Big Dig. “But I’m looking for a program that hopefully the state will develop for theaters in downtowns throughout Massachusetts,” he said. “There’s an old theater in just about every downtown.” Barrett would like the theater to be able to host plays and concerts. “When it’s all said and done we’ll probably still have 1,000 seats left in there, which is pretty good-sized, obviously and we have the parking in the downtown to afford a large gathering,” he said. “We’re going to get it done, I just don’t know when.” “The greatest challenge we face, however, is that of finding quality housing for the work force that we’re going to need for the new jobs that are being created here,” he said. Other projects Barrett cited the challenge of proceeding with the $18.6 million renovation of Drury High School to create a state-of-the-art facility while at the same time staying well within the constraints of Proposition 2-1/2. Keeping within this limit “is not an easy chore these days because of the uncertain situation with the state and their finances. “With that are coming some other challenges, because we’re not getting the state money to fix our bridges and some of our sidewalks, so we have to address some of those issues,” he said. Barrett also mentioned the work going on at Noel Field athletic complex. The vacant Cariddi building adjacent to the complex will be removed this summer; the city has just awarded the bids to complete a walking track and new fencing at the field. Workers will install a new attractive entrance as well. “My greatest goal is to bring football back there at some point in time,” he said. “We’re going to invest a lot of money in our fields this year.” Barrett said he hopes at some point the city will have control of the National Guard Armory building so it could be turned over to youth groups for youth programs. The planned addition to and renovation of the North Adams Public Library is another ongoing project in the city, he said. Controversy “My biggest struggle, obviously, of being mayor at this time in the city’s history is still dealing with some of the old pettiness that still exists out there,” Barrett said. “They’re more interested in personal politics rather than what is best for the city.” “I was really ... feeling good about the city until — it’s like a walk in the park and then all of a sudden you step into a pothole, and right now I’m dealing with that pothole situation,” he said. “But there’s so much good that’s happening here, and we will continue to do it despite those that [would] like to have me just throw in the towel.” “I’m not throwing in any towel,” he added. “They obviously don’t know my makeup — that the more they back me into a corner on some of this stuff, the angrier I get, the more I want to fight to finish the job.” He added, “At this stage of my career, tenure as mayor, you feel a great deal of satisfaction, but at the same time I’ve learned that the job of a mayor’s never done,” he said. “It’s just never done — you wish it was. When one project is completed, you have to move on to another.” “Everybody thinks North Adams was an overnight success story, and it wasn’t. I mean it was a long, hard struggle and journey,” he said. “Even though the job of mayor is never completed, I want to make sure that when I leave this office that it will take an awful lot of messing up to change where we’re headed and the direction that we’re going in.” Barrett spoke about the “non-sexy,” everyday things a mayor has to do no matter what — such as plow the streets, fill the potholes, make sure there is quality water, while keeping the community affordable. “You can have the best economic development package, the best downtown package, but if you’re not a neighborhood mayor, too, it will divide the city,” he said. The city is in excellent financial shape, he said. To prepare for possible tough economic times in the future, Barrett recently set up three funds with city council approval, saving money for the library renovation fund, the Drury High School renovation fund, and the stabilization fund to deal with infrastructure improvements, he added. Some $200,000 was put into each of these funds, and Barrett said he hopes to do the same next year and each of the next five years until $1 million is in each account. “North Adams is forever changing, and for the good, and for the good,” he said.
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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

 

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.)  The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.  

 

 

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

 

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few.  All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

 

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house.  New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house.  New paver patio in the back yard.

 

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

 

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

 

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

 

 

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

 

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

 

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

 

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

 

What do the current owners love about this home?

 

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

 

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

 

 

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

 

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.  

 

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

 

 

 

 

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