The Common Room at Zion Lutheran Church Hosts Open House

10:24AM / Wednesday, February 11, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass — The Common Room at Zion Lutheran Church invites the community to an Open House celebrating its newly renovated spaces on February 24th from 5:30 to 7pm.

Offering a first look at the refreshed Common Room and updated facilities now available for rentals, partnerships, and community use.

With construction complete and the curtains finally down, the Open House will showcase flexible, welcoming spaces designed to support a wide range of activities, including meetings, classes, performances, rehearsals, nonprofit programming, and community gatherings.

The event is open to the public, with special interest for artists, educators, musicians, nonprofits, and community organizers seeking accessible and adaptable space in downtown Pittsfield.

"This renovation marks an exciting new chapter for The Common Room," said Ingrid Kildiss-Hall, who helps run the space. "We're eager to welcome the community back in, share what's possible here now, and begin new partnerships that help this space serve the common good."

Guests are invited to tour the updated facilities, learn more about rental opportunities and community collaborations, and enjoy light snacks and beverages in an informal, welcoming setting.

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Lanesborough Seeks State Support for Berkshire Mall Redevelopment

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires.com
05:58PM / Monday, October 12, 2026

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The town plans to petition the state to take ownership of the Route 7/Route 8 Connector Road, which officials believe is a "critical component" of the Berkshire Mall’s redevelopment strategy.

On Tuesday, the Select Board approved a letter to state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. John Barrett III to request their support for the vacant mall's redevelopment by helping advance transfer of the Route 7/Route 8 connector and considering funding for essential infrastructure.

"We have held discussions with the Baker Hill Road District … which will take the necessary steps to formally petition the commonwealth to take over ownership of the Route 7, Route 8 connector…Your continued support in facilitating this transfer is greatly appreciated," the letter says.

Berkshire Mall owner JMJ RE Holdings has said the potential sale and redevelopment of the mall hinges on dissolving the Baker Hill Road District, a condition of the agreement that, if unmet, would render the contract null and void.

As a result, the mall will continue to deteriorate and the litigation will proceed forward, said Tim Grogan, of JMJ.

Vera Farrell, the liaison to the Baker Hill Road District, said the district board had discussed at one of its most recent meetings that the connector road could be transferred directly to the state, rather than returned to the town; Barrett and Mark were also a part of the discussion.

"The representatives recommended that as an option, that it could transfer the connector road directly to the state, as opposed to deeding it back to the town to dispense it. If we get to that point, that would be a better option to do it that way," Farrell said.

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