Historic Eagle Street Closing for First Friday Block Party

12:40PM / Tuesday, August 02, 2022Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — This August's First Friday is a block party on Eagle Street from 4 to 9 p.m.

The Friday's event will feature music, street games, activities and gallery openings. Mayor Jennifer Macksey will host a downtown gathering and Desperados Mexican Restaurant on Eagle Street will offer beer and wine for sale.

The monthly downtown event was established last year with local gallery owner and Public Arts Commission Chair Anna Farrington taking the lead in collaboration with downtown businesses.

Farrington, in a press release, said there will be more Eagle Street business collaborations "with the intention of providing positive, uplifting experiences free for all city residents, and providing opportunities for local businesses to thrive."

Eagle Street will be closed to car traffic on the First Friday evenings Aug. 5, Sept. 2, and Oct. 7. The historic street was also closed last fall for a street market.

"We closed Eagle Street to car traffic during First Friday last October for the Eagle Street Night Market, and it went beautifully! We had a lot of participation from local businesses, artists, and residents," said Harrington, owner of Installation Space Gallery at 49 Eagle. "I'm thrilled to work with the city again to close Eagle Street for First Fridays this season to bring more fun activities to the street."

Activities and entertainment include live music in the Eagle Street pocket park sponsored by Eagle Street Music, a photo booth curated by Polka Dot Portraits, local photographer Tiffany Fleishman Weissbrodt, street games and activities donated by a number of local organizers and institutions including Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Intramural Department, and Desperado’s Mexican Restaurant will offer a beer and wine bar.

Andrew Fitch, another organizer and owner of Eagle & Main, the buildings at the corner of Eagle and Main streets, said, 'I see so much opportunity in downtown North Adams for collaboration and development. I have a vision for a bright and bustling city downtown we can all be proud of and participate in. First Friday street closures are a great step towards realizing that vision. It's an honor to work on this initiative with Anna."

The project is supported by the city of North Adams and the North Adams Chamber of Commerce. First Friday also welcomes the opening of new businesses to the neighborhood including Hearts Pace Tea and Healing Arts Lounge and Future Labs Gallery.

Tags: block party,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

Save & Earn with Greylock

3.30% APY 6-month certificate. Click to learn more! Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

North Adams Housing Authority Director Steps Down

Staff Reports09:16AM / Friday, October 09, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jennifer Hohn, the longtime executive director of the North Adams Housing Authority (NAHA), has stepped down after 24 years with the agency.

The Berkshire Eagle reported that Hohn resigned from her position on Thursday. The NAHA Board of Commissioners is currently developing a transition plan.

Her resignation follows rising tension between Hohn and the tenants association. Residents—particularly at the Spring and Ashland Park apartments—have raised specific concerns regarding building security, drug activity, and trespassers.

This summer, Tenants Association President Corey Fortin posted a video on social media demonstrating that door alarms in some of the buildings were not functioning.

Shortly after the video was posted, the tenants association's office was locked. Members alleged Hohn locked the space in retaliation, while Hohn maintained it was a matter of tenant safety. Hohn also stated that NAHA does not officially recognize the association because it has yet to go through official channels for certification—a claim the tenants association disputes.

The dispute culminated in plans for a formal grievance hearing between Hohn and the association. Both sides agreed to hold a meeting on Oct. 3, but the hearing had not yet been scheduled at the time of her resignation.
During her tenure as director, Hohn oversaw significant changes at NAHA, including expansion and the dissolution of Housing Opportunities Incorporated, a program founded over 30 years ago to assist first-time homebuyers. Most recently, she led efforts to transition NAHA properties from traditional public housing models to the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. She also directed the rebuilding of a Greylock Valley Apartments building after it was severely damaged by a fire.

The NAHA Board of Commissioners meets monthly, typically on Mondays.

View Full Story