DCR Invests More Than $500K in North Adams Skating Rink

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) announced an investment of more than $500,000 to replace the roof at the Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Rink in North Adams. 
 
"When I began serving as Mayor of North Adams in January 2022, one of my first actions was to work with DCR to ensure long-term stability of this important community and regional asset," said Mayor Jennifer A. Macksey. "Fortunately, one of our biggest concerns with the rink is being addressed. I couldn't be happier with our partnership with DCR. Commissioner Arrigo and DCR staff have provided much-needed assistance to make sure this sports and recreation resource remains available to the northern Berkshire community."  
 
The Peter Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Rink was first constructed in 1969. The current roof has exceeded its design life and is due for replacement. DCR will be replacing the existing roof, approximately 36,000 square feet, with new PVC roofing membrane as well as replacing insulation. 
 
"It's great to see this investment in our region to protect and preserve an important community resource," said State Senator Paul Mark. "Thank you to DCR and the Healey Administration for remembering and prioritizing our entire state." 
 
"This latest investment marks another important step in fulfilling a vision that took root back in 2008, during my time as Mayor of North Adams," said State Representative John Barrett III. "The decision to keep this rink open was a deliberate one, recognizing its vital role in our community for people of all ages. Years later, as a member of the Legislature, it's deeply rewarding to see continued support for this facility from the Healey Administration and DCR. It's especially meaningful that this rink honors Peter Foote, a North Adams native and Vietnam War veteran whose service and sacrifice continue to inspire us. This investment helps preserve not just a recreational asset, but a living tribute to his legacy."  
 
The total project cost is $537,000, and it is expected to be completed later this summer, before the rink reopens for the season in the fall. 
 
"At DCR, we are committed to providing families and residents with safe opportunities for recreation, year-round," said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. "We're glad to work with our partners at the City of North Adams to improve conditions at the Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating Rink, ensuring skaters and the community can enjoy it for years to come." 
 
The Peter Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Rink is owned by DCR and managed by the City of North Adams.

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Main & Mill: A Vibrant New Restaurant on Main Street

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — You can now enjoy another eatery on Main Street by well-known restaurant siblings Colleen and Sean Taylor.

Their restaurant Main & Mill opened for the first time Tuesday, bringing their vision of creating something vibrant and new to downtown North Adams.

"We have created Main & Mill to be part of our day. It's very seasonal ingredients, thoughtful cooking, beauty, beautiful presentation and dishes. And we really wanted to be part of the community, the downtown area, and start a vibrant area on this end, which has been shuttered for a while," said Colleen.

The building is owned by Ginko on Main Street LLC, which has granted 20 years exclusive possession of the property to Latent Builds as the developer. Jack and Suzy Wadsworth, behind Ginko, are development partners with Karla Rothstein and Salvatore Perry of Latent.

The bank closed in early 2021 and was purchased by Ginko late that year. Plans for the property unveiled three years ago envisioned a restaurant, retail, a park and rooftop bar. 

Colleen saw potential and said she initially wanted the building when it first went up for sale. Being good friends with Rothstein and Perry, she helped them design the kitchen and the bar before learning in March that she could lease it as a restaurant space, something she told them would be a great idea.

She said one of the most important things about the restaurant was the collaboration between Rothstein, Perry, and the Wadsworths, who put a lot of time and energy into the building.

"If Sean and I had done it, we would not be able to do what the collaboration supported. The collaboration of the three of us being able to really have that kind of money to put in down here. The design that the architecture firm that Carla and Sal own is stunning," she said. "The time and effort, everyone came together to do this in a really trusting manner."

The two wanted the restaurant to be an all-day venture, so people could eat at any point throughout the day, all week long.

"We wanted it to be open for coffee and socialization in the morning where people can meet, have their cup of coffee, have a quiche, a vegetarian quiche, or croissant or yogurt. Something intentional with their coffee," she said. "Then move into a lunchtime for the downtown business or anybody, and then go into supper, dinner, with drinks later into the evening. So have it really be open all day long, so that there wasn't a void on any particular day."

They also wanted to do something different than the other restaurants they owned.

"We didn't want to mimic any other restaurant in town. We wanted to bring something that was inspiring, something that had some familiar things that people would see, and other things that we would bring to them for them to experience," she said.

As a woman business owner, Colleen said she wanted to bring a female chef into the kitchen. 

Colleen brought on Chef Anna DeRose, who she said puts twists on a lot of her dishes.

"So we have a creme brulee, but our creme brulee is topped with marshmallow," she said. "Our creme brulee is like almost two desserts in one. It's a s'mores creme brulee. So you could have a s'mores, and you could have a creme brulee - but when you put both of them together, fireworks go off."

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