BHS Announces Medical Arts Complex Construction

Staff Reports 02:28PM / Thursday, August 17, 2023Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) announced plans for work on the mechanical infrastructure of the Medical Arts Complex (MAC) to ensure the building's longstanding sustainability as a center for outpatient care.

This work is a demonstration of BHS's continued investment in the health of Berkshire County, as part of its vision to be the region's trusted healthcare partner and community advocate for improving overall quality of life.

"Here at Berkshire Health Systems, we take pride in not only being the leading healthcare provider in Berkshire County but also investing in the health of our community," said Darlene Rodowicz, BHS president and CEO. "Taking this step to preserve the MAC's future sustainability is one of many investments we're proud to make in the system as a whole."

Construction at the MAC will begin on Sept. 5, 2023, following the Labor Day Holiday and is expected to last for 12 months. Work on the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, (HVAC) systems will impact the way that people enter the building.

The front, upper-level entrance of the MAC Building that is typically accessed from the parking lot will be closed. All patients, visitors, and staff should plan to access the building from the rear (West) using either the ground floor entrance or the second-floor walkway from the parking garage.

The patient parking lot at the front of the building will remain open with a modified driveway entrance. BHS will offer valet parking, extensive shuttle service to the rear door, and a modified sidewalk to allow access to the rear of the building to help patients and visitors adapt to the entry changes. Additional accessible parking will also be available near the rear entrance. Visit berkshirehealthsystems.org/MACProject to view a walking guide and map.

"The current MAC building was constructed in 1990. In the 33 years since, the building has welcomed thousands of patients through its doors," said Chris Camillo, Vice President of Physician Services and leader of the BHS medical group of clinics, many of which are housed in the MAC. "By taking this step, we are ensuring that the MAC remains positioned to serve our patients, today and for years to come."

Tags: BHS, BMC,

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Berkshire Towns Can Tap State Seasonal Communities Resources

10:54AM / Monday, December 29, 2025

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey announced that 18 additional municipalities across Massachusetts have been designated as Seasonal Communities, opening up new tools, support and grant funding to help them manage seasonal housing pressures.

Created as part of the historic Affordable Homes Act signed into law by Governor Healey in 2024, the Seasonal Communities designation was designed to recognize Massachusetts communities that experience substantial variation in seasonal employment and to create distinctive tools to address their unique housing needs. The law also established the Seasonal Communities Advisory Council (SCAC).

The Affordable Homes Act identified several communities to automatically receive the designation, including:

All municipalities in the counties of Dukes and Nantucket;
All municipalities with over 35 percent seasonal housing units in Barnstable County; and
All municipalities with more than 40 percent seasonal housing units in Berkshire County.

To identify additional communities, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) reviewed available data, specifically focusing on cities and towns with high levels of short-term rentals and a high share of second- or vacation homes.

In Berkshire County, Egremont, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, New Marlborough, Richmond, Sandisfield, Sheffield, West Stockbridge and Williamstown have been designated.

"Our seasonal communities are a vital part of Massachusetts' cultural and economic fabric, but they're also home to essential workers, families, seniors, and longtime residents who deserve a place to live year-round," said Governor Healey. "That's why we're committed to supporting these communities with innovative solutions like the Seasonal Communities designation to meet their unique needs, and I'm thrilled that we're offering this opportunity to 18 additional communities across the state. Everyone who calls these places home should be able to live, work and grow here, no matter the season."

As with the statutorily identified communities, acceptance of the designation for municipalities is voluntary and requires a local legislative vote. HLC will open an application for newly eligible communities that haven't accepted the Seasonal Communities designation to request consideration.

The Affordable Homes Act created several new tools for communities who accept the Seasonal Communities designation to be able to:

Acquire deed restrictions to create or preserve year-round housing
Develop housing with a preference for municipal workers, so that our public safety personnel, teachers, public works and town hall workers have a place to live
Establish a Year-Round Housing Trust Fund to create and preserve affordable and attainable housing for year-round residents
Create year-round housing for artists
Allow seasonal communities to develop a comprehensive housing needs assessment
Permit tiny homes to be built and used as year-round housing
Permit year-round, attainable residential development on undersized lots
Increase the property tax exemption for homes that are the owners' primary residence