image description — This manufactured mobile pocket park offers plenty of seating to enjoy takeout from one of the local eateries on Eagle Street.

Eagle Street Initiative Work Begins With Delivery of Parked Pocket Park

Staff Reports04:49PM / Thursday, June 21, 2018Print Story | Email Story

Across from the manufactured park, the little pocket park on Eagle is getting a makeover.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Work is beginning on the NAMAzing Eagle Street Initiative with the delivery of an extended park structure right on the street.

The manufactured pocket park built by B&B Micro-Manufacturing, a local tiny house construction company, takes up about two parking spots on the west side of the one-way street. It offers plenty of seating and counter space for eating and solar lighting for the evening.

The structure is part of a rejuvenation plan for the historic street that is being funded with $35,871 in donations and a $25,000 matching MassDevelopment grant. The fundraising effort, done online through Patronicity, raised about $10,000 above its $25,000 goal.

The grassroots effort has involved residents, local businesses and city officials to develop ways to reinvigorate the byway through signage, social spaces, art installations and clearly marked entrances for pedestrians and motorists.

Right across from the manufactured park, the small pocket park installed where the former Tropical Gardens used to be is also being refreshed. The land was donated to the city about a decade ago after the building on it burned. The park had a bench but wasn't particularly inviting and not well used.

The initiative is putting in cobblestones, artwork and seating to make the space more welcoming. Fencing in the rear will allow for future access to the Center Street parking lot. The idea is to expand the social space on Eagle and provide an area for programming such as music or events.

New overhanging signage for the stores along the street have already been approved by the City Council and Planning Board. The round signs are being manufactured Neathawk Designs and a logo of a white eagle on blue will be used to designate the area. Eagles also decorate the brackets that will hold the signs. The colors and fonts are the same as the city's new branding design that can be seen on the three welcome to North Adams signs.

The entire project will have a ribbon cutting upon completion later this summer but the new parklet will be open for use.

Tags: Eagle Street,

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North Adams Housing Authority Hires MassNAHRO to Lead Executive Director Search

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
02:22PM / Saturday, October 31, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority (NAHA) board of commissioners voted to utilize MassNAHRO's Executive Director Search Services for its own director search.

Before the unanimous vote Thursday to retain MassNAHRO (Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials) services, Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah noted that NAHA is already an affiliate of the organization.

"They have been doing executive director recruitment searches for public housing authorities that they represent," she said. "They follow all of the Massachusetts laws, they advertise, they screen, they involve the tenants in their process. I think it is in our best interest to secure their services."

Longtime director Jennifer Hohn resigned earlier in October, following rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The commissioners promoted Director of Operations Lisa Labonte to interim director.

The service will cost $5,500, and MassNAHRO will work directly with the commission to set up a screening committee.

Lillian Zavatsky, city councilor and liaison to NAHA, spoke during the open forum and encouraged the board to avoid a permanent internal promotion. This was in reference to a letter she sent to the commissioners several weeks ago.

"I think that it is really important that the search is open and transparent, and there is a direct role for tenant participation," she said. "Not just after a decision is made, but throughout the process ... I also said I do not support an internal candidate. I do not support the director of operations being promoted to the director. There are older issues here, and she has been part of it. I think a lot needs to change here."

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