Reimagine Dunham Mall Calls for Public Art

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Organizers of Reimagine Dunham Mall announced two calls for public art and a project update on Spring 2025 installations to support the use and beautification of Dunham Mall.
 
Reimagine Dunham Mall aims to support area business, recreation, pedestrian networks, and parking accessibility for residents and visitors of downtown Pittsfield.
 
In the Spring of 2025, Pittsfield residents can expect to see a new public art piece installed in Dunham Mall as part of the first of two installation phases. Also, as part of phase one, 8 large planters with Heritage Birch trees will be installed to provide shade and natural habitats, as well as smaller planters with annuals, bistro seating, bollards (to enhance safety of the pedestrian area), and wayfinding elements like a kiosk and Pittsfield branded banners.
 
Two calls for art are open now for projects to be installed on Dunham Mall. The calls for art close on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 11:59 PM.
 
The first is for a Digital Map of Downtown. Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. is seeking an artist to produce a digital map of downtown Pittsfield that will be centralized in Dunham Mall and reproduced for use throughout downtown. Map boundaries will be the Colonial Theatre and Carr Hardware (South/North) and two blocks out in the East/West directions. Final map dimensions (delivered digitally) should be 36"x 24" with standard bleed. The budget for design is $2,000. Artists must have their own technology to produce the image. The chosen artist will be recognized by name in all reproductions of the work, but Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will own the rights to the final image. View the application here: https://forms.gle/ttTY8T8TJ46MhKtSA
 
The artist will be selected based on past work examples, connection to Pittsfield, and ability to complete the project within the project timeframe. The final map must be completed no later than March 31, 2025. This project is funded by the Reimagine Dunham Mall project.
 
The second call for art is for a large mountable mosaic for Dunham Mall. Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. is seeking an artist to produce a large mosaic that will be installed in Dunham Mall. The piece will be mounted on a brick wall and should have dimensions of 10' wide by 8' high. The budget for art is $3,000 with an additional $500 stipend for materials. Artists must have their own tools to produce the mosaic. View the application here: https://forms.gle/oHL7DeNrV1aNoxESA
 
The artist will be selected based on past work examples, connection to Pittsfield, and ability to complete the project within the project timeframe. The final mosaic must be completed no later than March 31, 2025. Designs must be family friendly, and the theme of the work should reference the natural beauty of the Berkshires. This project is funded by the Reimagine Dunham Mall project.
 
The project timeline for both calls for art is as follows:
  • Sunday, February 2: Artist call closes
  • Friday, February 7: Artist selected
  • Friday, February 28: Initial design sketch due
  • Monday, March 31: Design finalized and delivered
  • TBD: Dates of installation
Reimagine Dunham Mall was made possible by community contributions from residents, friends at Pittsfield Beautiful, and a Commonwealth Places grant. The Downtown Pittsfield Cultural Association (DPCA), The City of Pittsfield, MassDevelopment's Transformative Development Initiative (TDI), Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI), and the Pittsfield Community Design Center are spearheading this project.
 
For more information, visit downtownpittsfield.com or call Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. at 413-443-6501.

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Berkshire Concrete Lawsuit Seeks Damages, Continued Operation

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — Whether Berkshire Concrete can continue excavating after its permit was denied —and if the town is liable for damages — will be decided in a lawsuit the company has filed against the town, planning board and its members.
 
The suit was filed on behalf of Berkshire Concrete Corp., a subsidiary of Petricca Industries, by Jaan G. Rannik of Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook in Superior Court on April 13
 
Berkshire Concrete is suing for damages and wants the Planning Board's permit denial overturned.
 
The company seeks permission to operate on its entire property, and to have any future permit applications granted — unless they violate previous permit conditions and fail to fix them after formal written notice, or if the Mine Safety and Health Administration finds a public health danger requiring new restrictions.
 
It also requests that if a future renewal is denied for a violation and Berkshire Concrete disputes it or claims it didn't have time to fix, operations can continue until a  final decision is made.
 
The company claims the town breached its 1992 contract with Berkshire Concrete and the board exceeded its authority in denying the special permit. 
 
Berkshire Concrete claims that as a direct result of the town's breach of contract it suffered damages of no less than 1.9 million and will continue to incur additional damages. 
 
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