The Airport Commission established a subcommittee to develop a request for proposals for a restaurant in the new airport terminal.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city hopes to release a request for proposals for the airport terminal restaurant in the fall.
The Airport Commission agreed Tuesday to form a subcommittee to flesh out what restrictions and preferences it wants to place in the RFP.
"Ideally what I would like to see happen, from a timeline standpoint, let's form a subcommittee, finalize what we want, and get this before the commission," Chairman Jeffrey Naughton said. "Then we can move forward and issue it."
Last month, Administrative Officer Michael Canales asked the commission to review an RFP used by Westfield to solicit interest in its airport restaurant. He noted the commission has the power to place restrictions and requirements in the RFP.
"We took theirs as a template to do ours so if there is anything else you would like to add or take out ... that falls to you as the awarding authority," Canales said. "Anything you place as a requirement they have to meet that as a minimum anything that's a preference we are just saying you will score extra points in the RFP."
The vacant medical building donated to the city by Berkshire Health Systems was moved farther back onto the airport campus and is currently being renovated to serve as Harriman & West Airport's administrative building.
Along with housing airport offices, the space will also accommodate a restaurant.
Naughton and Canales agreed to serve on the subcommittee as well as Commissioners Shaun Dougherty and Marc Morandi.
Right off the bat, Naughton said he wanted the RFP to clearly state that the restauranter needed insurance and Dougherty wanted it to be clear that potential eateries had to purchase their own equipment and utilities.
Canales said the commission could vote on the RFP next month and have it released in the fall.
"It would be nice to get it out in the fall to give the person the winter to build out the space and by the next summer have someone in there operating," he said.
In other business, Stantec engineer Peter Enzien gave an update on the terminal building and said the project is still behind schedule but should be completed by the fall.
"Probably about two to three weeks behind schedule so I would say they are looking at completion at the beginning of September," he said. "Originally it was going to be the second week in August."
Originally the project was ahead of schedule but after opening the walls the contractor found the insulation was not installed to code and had to be redone.
Enzien said work is still progressing. The interior walls are completed and the contractor has begun priming the walls. The casework and drop ceilings should begin next week.
He said 40 percent of the siding has been fastened and he added that windows and doors have been installed.
"So if you are airside looking back at the building you will see the restaurant windows," he said. "Big picture windows that give a panoramic view of the airfield and the mountains in the background."
The building now has permanent electrical service, the curbs are in, and the lights that will light the sidewalks have been installed.
He said the are starting to form for the exterior sidewalks and paving may begin as early as next week.
"The contractor doesn't want to run on the final course when they still have equipment coming in and going out," he said. "With the heat and the weather you will end up marking it all up so it may get pushed a little bit."
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Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.
More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.
Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.
One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly.
"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."
Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.
Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.
One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly.
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This spring weekend, there are a variety of events in and around the Berkshires, including Spring Celebrations, music, cleanups, and more.
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More than 300 students from area high schools entered their work in 12th annual Teen Invitational at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. click for more
Backed by a $750,000 federal grant for a planning study, North Adams and Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art are looking to undo some of that damage.
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