PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Cost estimates for Pontoosuc Lake Park improvements are higher than expected but the project is being bid this week. American Rescue Plan Act funds are expected fill the gap.
Park, Open Space, and Natural Resource Program Manager James McGrath reported this to the Parks Commission last week. Once bidding is complete, the city plans to get right to construction.
"The cost estimate for the project came back higher than was anticipated when the final designs were completed. We got the estimate and it was several hundred thousand over budget," he said.
"So there was an appeal made to the city's American Rescue Plan and some additional funding was put toward this project."
The 23-acre parcel on Hancock Road, or the south side, will be focused on first. This area is being targeted for passive recreation, with the north side encouraged for swimming to protect resource areas and reduce conflict between swimmers and boaters.
The city had hoped for phase one to come in at about $500,000, which was secured through a matching grant from the state Executive Office of Energy Environmental Affairs.
Any overage above the budgeted amount will be covered by ARPA funding.
"We didn't need to close the park for some summer months and sort of displace people that like to enjoy that park," McGrath pointed out.
"So we'll get into that project after Labor Day but that's definitely happening."
He reported that the bidding has been delayed because the purchasing agent has been out but final pricing should be known in September.
"We should know what the final pricing is from contractors in mid-September and then we'll get under construction right away," he said, explaining that teams will do as much work as they can in the fall and finish the first phase in the spring.
The final design was approved by the Parks Commission in April and in July, the Conservation Commission issued 36 conditions for it. It is influenced by the legacy of the park and feedback that was provided through public outreach focused on maintenance, accessibility, safety, the ability to access water for swimming, and passive and active places within the park.
Five public hearings were held throughout the process.
South side improvements include:
transforming the current grass path to a paved promenade with a boardwalk around the wetland area
a gathering spot and overlook
improving the health of the white pine trees
some clearing of the west side to improve the views
repairing the upper parking lot
adding an accessible path that will come down to the boat parking lot and connect to the accessible path
benches and picnic tables
The sloped area has an over 50-foot elevation difference from the upper parking lot to the lake.
Full cost estimates have not been completed but based on recent repairs made to the Clapp Park splash pad, it is estimated to cost between $350,000 and $450,000.
This project will likely not be realized for a couple of years as funding needs to be secured.
"It's important to put a number on what this will cost so we can figure out how it will get funded," McGrath said.
"At present, there's no money lined up. We have no idea where we'll get the money but as always, there are ways we prioritize things and we'll figure out how to get the Durant Park splash pad programmed and built."
He added that it's a fun project and will be great for the little park.
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Pittsfield 2025 Year in Review
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city continued to grapple with homelessness in 2025 while seeing a glimmer of hope in upcoming supportive housing projects.
Founders James Shulman and his wife, Jackie, offered it to the city through a conveyance and donation of property, which was met with some hesitation before it was withdrawn.
Now, a group of more than 50 volunteers learned everything from running the ride to detailing the horses, and it is run by nonprofit Berkshire Carousel Inc., with the Shulmans supporting operating costs.
Median and Camping Petitions
Conversations about homelessness resumed in Council Chambers when Mayor Peter Marchetti proposed a median standing and public camping ban to curb negative behaviors in the downtown area. Neither of the ordinances reached the finish line, and community members swarmed the public comment podium to urge the city to lead with compassion and housing-first solutions.
"If you look at this as a public safety issue, which I will grant that this is entirely put forward as a public safety issue, there are other issues that might rate higher that need our attention more with limited resources," said former Ward 7 councilor Rhonda Serre.
Protesters and public commenters said the ordinance may be framed as a public safety ordinance, but actually targets poor and vulnerable community members, and that criminalizing activities such as panhandling and protesting infringes on First Amendment rights and freedom of speech.
Some housing solutions came online in 2025 amidst the discourse about housing insecurity in Pittsfield.
The city celebrated nearly 40 new supportive units earlier in December. This includes nine units at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.
These units are permanent supportive housing, a model that combines affordable housing with voluntary social services.
Pittsfield supported the effort with $750,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds and some Community Development Block Grant funds. Hearthway, formerly Berkshire Housing Development Corp., is managing the apartments and currently accepting applications.
After the Wahconah Park Restoration Committee completed its work with a formal recommendation in 2024, news about the park was quiet while the city planned its next move.
The ice rink was originally proposed for Clapp Park, but when the project was put out to bid, the system came back $75,000 higher than the cost estimate, and the cost estimates for temporary utilities were over budget. The city received a total of $200,000 in donations from five local organizations for the effort.
Last year, there was $18 million committed between grant funding and capital borrowing.
The Parks Commission recently accepted a negotiating rights agreement between the city and longtime summer collegiate baseball team, the Pittsfield Suns, that solidifies that the two will work together when the historic ballpark is renovated.
It remains in effect until the end of 2027, or when a license or lease agreement is signed. Terms will be automatically extended to the end of 2028 if it appears the facility won't be complete by then.
William Stanley Business Park
Site 9, the William Stanley Business Park parcel, formerly described to have looked like the face of the moon, was finished in early 2025, and the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority continues to prepare for new tenants.
Mill Town Capital is planning to develop a mixed-use building on the 16.5-acre site, and housing across Woodlawn Avenue on an empty parcel. About 25,000 cubic yards of concrete slabs, foundations, and pavements had to be removed and greened over.
There is also movement at the Berkshire Innovation Center as it begins a 7,000-square-foot expansion to add an Advanced Manufacturing for Advanced Optics Tech Hub and bring a new company, Myrias, to Pittsfield.
Voters chose new City Council members and a largely new School Committee during the municipal election in November. The council will be largely the same, as only two councilors will be new.
Earl Persip III, Peter White, Alisa Costa, and Kathleen Amuso held their seats as councilors at large. There were no races for wards 1, 3, and 4. Patrick Kavey was re-elected to Ward 5 after winning the race against Michael Grady, and Lampiasi was re-elected to Ward 6 after winning the race against Walter Powell.
Nine candidates ran to fill the six-seat committee. Ciara Batory, Sarah Muil, Daniel Elias, Katherine Yon, Heather McNeice, and Carolyn Barry were elected for two-year terms.
Katherine Nagy Moody secured representation of Ward 7 over Anthony Maffuccio, and Cameron Cunningham won the Ward 2 seat over Corey Walker. Both are new to the council.
In October, Ward 7 Councilor Rhonda Serre stepped down to work for the Pittsfield Public Schools.
In 2025, the city remained challenged by the homelessness crisis, though the development of new supportive housing offered a promising outlook. click for more
The ribbon was cut on Thursday Dec. 19, on nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at The First, located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. click for more
Disrepaired houses at 154 Francis Ave. and 224 Fourth St. will be demolished as part of the city's yearly efforts to address condemned properties. click for more
Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Northumberland Road.
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