PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The developer of the former St. Joseph's Central High School dreams of a glass rear that floods light into the auditorium and allows for more parking. 

On Tuesday, the subcommittee on Community and Economic Development unanimously supported a proposed 10-year tax increment exemption agreement to redevelop the former Catholic high school. 

They heard details about the plan to convert the shuttered school into a 70 percent residential, 30 percent commercial building with 20 percent of the 19 apartments designated affordable. It is expected to be an 18-month project once begun. 

Over the last decade or so, developer David Carver, of Scarafoni Associates & CT Management Group, has been involved with several overhauls of churches, school buildings, and even a firehouse into apartments. 

"I've always been interested in older historic buildings, especially in downtowns, and as the economy changes, we know there are lots of older buildings, worthy buildings that need a new life, and I've always found it interesting and a challenge to save them and turn around," Carver said. 

"Most of these buildings, I will say, are generally better built and more attractive than some of the new buildings that are built everywhere, and I've always been drawn to that, and it's almost like public art to me."

In 2017, the 120-year-old school ceased operations. After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it sheltered people without homes before The Pearl, a 40-bed downtown shelter, was finished a few years ago. 

The TIE would freeze the current property value base, starting at 100 percent forgiveness in the first year, decreasing by 10 percent annually over the agreement's 10-year period.