Tyler Street Community Mural Unveiling Slated for Saturday

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires and Southern Vermont, in partnership with the city of Pittsfield's Office of Cultural Development, invites the public to attend the official unveiling of the "Planting Seeds for a Better Tomorrow" mural on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 11:30 a.m.
 
The mural is located on the northeast side of Goodwill's building at 158 Tyler St.
 
Goodwill officials and Pittsfield Mayor Linda M. Tyer will unveil the mural in conjunction with the Pittsfield Better Block celebration that will follow from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday. The mural, created by local artist Kathy Garren, is a community art project that was sponsored by the City of Pittsfield's Office of Cultural Development and the Tyler Street Transformative Development Initiative through MassDevelopment, with assistance from Morningside UP, Sherwin-Williams and Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires, Inc.
 
Garren was chosen by a jury made up of artists, business owners, and community members in the Morningside neighborhood following a call for art for the Mural Project. She is a children's book illustrator, portrait painter and muralist living in Dalton, Mass. Garren has worked on the restoration of the Vietnam Memorial mural in Pittsfield, and has done indoor murals for various restaurants in the area.  Some of her most recent artwork includes illustrating several children's books written by Arlo Guthrie, including Old Bill, the Famous Berkshire Moose. 
 
"I love living in the Berkshires and am so happy to be a part of all of the plans to the Tyler Street area," Garren said. "I think my Planting Seeds for a Better Tomorrow mural is a perfect symbol for revitalization and growth for that neighborhood."
 
Goodwill and Berkshire County Head Start will also host a Kidz Zone with games and activities for children of all ages at 214 Tyler St. during Pittsfield Better Block.

Tags: better block,   community event,   murals,   

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Pittsfield ConCom Sees Revised Work Plans for Wahconah Park

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Conservation Commission will dig into the notice of intent application for Wahconah Park's overhaul. 

The commission heard an update on the historic park's reconstruction during its regular meeting on July 23. 

The grandstand is expected to be down by early September, and the city has been working with SK Design Group and the Department of Environmental Protection to revise work plans, which can be complex on a site located entirely in the floodplain. 

The revised plan includes supplemental materials to address the DEP's comments, clarified riverfront area compliance, a separated wetland replication area floodplain, a fully documented stormwater conveyance and treatment approach, and addresses wetland floodplain and construction sequencing impacts. 

It was continued to Aug. 13 so that commissioners can review the new documents and comment.

"The revised design will replace the aging and failed drainage infrastructure," explained James Scalise of SK Design Group, on behalf of the city.

"…We have avoided and minimized impacts to regulated resource areas. We've reduced the potential for erosion control, drainage failure, and uncontrolled discharges." 

The over-a-quarter-century-old structure was deemed unsafe in 2022, and planners have determined that starting from square one is the best option; a $15 million rebuild is on the table.

The project team was before the ConCom in May after receiving several comments from the DEP.  Because of the difficult permitting path, they requested a continuance and have spent that time responding.

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