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Martinson said his group found Pittsfield and the county through market research and data, noticing that there was a need for storage in the city.
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A New Storage Facility is Coming to Pittsfield

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
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The facility is slated to open June 19.

PITTSFIELD, Mass — A new storage unit is opening in Pittsfield later this month.

At 428 Merrill Road, formerly Crane Paper, CubeSmart will offer storage units ranging in sizes from 5 by 5 to 10 by 30 feet.

The facility has 431 units.

Jack Martinson from Peach Tree Holdings, a real estate company that acquires and develops commercial real estate across the country, said there was a need for such such a business in the area.

"We look for self storage properties all over the country, and saw a building and a need in the city. And you know, we did talk to one of the neighbors who was happy to see that the building was being transformed," he said. " And over the past six months we transformed the 60,000 square foot kind of rundown building into a, I'd say, class A self storage facility offering around 45,000 square feet of storage and 431 units, and we're excited to bring a nationally named brand into the city of Pittsfield."

Martinson said his group found Pittsfield and the county through market research and data, noticing that there was a need for storage in the city.

"Specifically looking at what's available in the market, you have, I think, Extra Space Storage Facility, and then a pretty large U haul," he said. "Through the data that was available to us, it looks like those are basically full. And so I think adding another storage facility in the market will help lower prices a little bit for customers, as well as provide a another safe and secure storage building in the city."

He says CubeSmart will provide a safe space for people to put their stuff.

"But 24/7 security operating hours, I think, will be around nine to 6pm, I think. Friendly deals, safe storage, and mainly just a place you can come to trust and put your belongings and valuables, and it's gated, it's fenced. And again, I think the main thing is having a 24/7 security system to keep people confident that their stuff wont be tinkered or stolen is what we're trying to provide here," Martinson said.

The group found the building about a year ago and started working on construction right after buying it in December.

"We initially found this building, I think, in June of 2024 and then, through due diligence and some other hiccups, finally  purchased the building in December of 2024 and then construction started immediately after," Martinson said.

Construction was about $3.65 million. CubeSmart will manage the facility and offer the first month free with an initial 40 percent promotion.

The facility is slated to open June 19 but customers can already start reserving units online.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Remembers Lives Lost to Overdose, Underscores Harm Reduction

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Mayor Peter Marchetti reads a proclamation at City Hall encouraging residents to raise awareness and lift each other up. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Dozens of people gathered downtown on Monday to remember those lost to overdose and work toward a future of zero deaths from substance use disorder. 

The Berkshire Overdose and Addiction Prevention Collaborative and its partners held a proclamation reading and flag-raising at City Hall, followed by a standout in Park Square with signs promoting the use of naloxone, harm reduction, and reducing associated stigma. 

There were 23 fatal overdoses in Berkshire County in 2025, 11 in Pittsfield. This is down 44 percent from the 41 countywide fatalities in 2024. 

While it is a significant decrease, advocates want to see that number at zero. 

"On the one hand, we're very pleased to see this significant of a decrease. This is actually the lowest number that we've had since [Department of Public Health] started collecting these numbers in 2013, but the goal is still zero," said Andy Ottoson, public health planner with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. 

August is International Overdose Awareness Month, the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those lost without stigma, and acknowledge the grief of families and friends left behind. September is National Recovery Month, a national observance to educate the public on the importance of substance use treatment and mental health services.

Samantha Kendall of Berkshire Harm Reduction explained that it is truly meeting people where they are, as they are, and when they are, "and I think we all do a really great job at that."

"We also want to remember that we're building a community for everybody, and systems and policies for everybody. That's really important in harm reduction work, so that's also the reason we're here today," she said. 

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