Self Storage Proposal For Pittsfield Plaza Passes First Hurdle

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The owners of the Pittsfield Plaza on West Housatonic Street is looking to change the city's zoning bylaws to allow a self storage development.

The Community Development Board voted in favor of recommending the petition changing the zoning to allow small scale self storage businesses to operate in the business commercial district with a special permit.

The bylaw will now go to the City Council and likely referred to subcommittee.

"We've been trying to redevelop that shopping center," Joseph Genzano, representing the owners Alfred Weissman Real Estate, said, adding that they were unable to put together the right mix of businesses.

After embarking on a marketing study, the small, enclosed self storage business was identified as an ideal project, particularly for the West side of the property which is somewhat out of view from West Housatonic Street. The company sought and was denied a variance allowing them to open and is now seeking changes in the laws.

Genzano said the proposal specifically limits the size and the structure of the units to separate the "mini self storage" from larger warehouse storage. He liken the aesthetic and operations to that of a retailer. Additionally, his proposal called for a special permit in commercial and industrial zones.

"Our view is not to look at it as a storage use but more as retail," Genzano said.

Realtor Beverly Milenski said allowing a self storage business to open would help he do her job of leasing the rest of the property. She said one business will help trigger others because "no one wants to be the first."

"Once the building, the facade and everything gets started, I can attract new tenants," Milenski said. "This, in my opinion, would get the ball rolling."

Lenco Celebrates $5M in Capital Investments

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:34AM / Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Executive Vice President Lenny Light says it's not the equipment but the staff that gives Lenco its competitive advantage. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Lenco Armored Vehicles has embarked on a $5 million capital investment project for faster, better manufacturing. 

 

A ribbon was cut on Monday in front of the company's new Trumpf TruLaser 3080, a machine designed to cut extra-large sheets of metal. This will increase the efficiency of building armored tactical vehicles, such as the BearCat, by about 40 percent. 

 

Executive Vice President Lenny Light recalled the Lenco's beginnings in 1981, when it operated out of 3,000 square feet on Merrill Road with 15 employees.  Today, Lenco has 170,000 square feet of manufacturing space and nearly 150 employees. 

 

"The work that we do here in Pittsfield contributes to millions of dollars being put back into our local economy. We're the largest commercial armored rescue vehicle manufacturer in the United States. We're one of the most respected brands locally. We also now own the largest fiber laser in the United States. It's the only one of its kind in the Northeast," he said, motioning to the massive, modern machinery. 

 

"But the equipment that we have is not our competitive advantage — our welders, our forklifts, our cranes — any company can buy this same exact equipment." 

 

Rather than the equipment, he said, it's the staff who shows up every day with a can-do attitude that gives Lenco its competitive advantage. 

 

Planning for the industrial cutter began 18 months ago, when the company needed to decide if it was the right equipment for the future. Trumpf, named for its founder, is a German-headquartered global manufacturer of high-end metal processing (computer numerical control) machines, including laser technology. The TruLaser 3080 uses a high-intensity laser beam to cut through metals with speed and accuracy.