Pittsfield Announces a New Program to Help Fill Vacant Storefronts

07:58PM / Monday, May 18, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield announced the availability of refundable state tax credits for businesses through the Massachusetts Vacant Storefront Program (MVSP).

These credits are offered to companies that choose to occupy commercial spaces that have been vacant for at least six to twelve months.

The MVSP was established to support municipalities in revitalizing their downtown and commercial districts. By encouraging businesses to move into long-term vacant storefronts, the program aims to foster economic development and invigorate community spaces. Refundable tax credits serve as an incentive for businesses to fill key vacancies within a city's downtown or commercial area.

To further these efforts, the City of Pittsfield is collaborating with Downtown Pittsfield Inc. and the Berkshire Black Economic Council. These organizations are working alongside the city to assist businesses interested in occupying vacant storefronts, particularly in the downtown area and along the Tyler Street corridor.

For more details about the Massachusetts Vacant Storefront Program and how to participate, reach out to Justine Dodds at the City's Department of Community Development at jdodds@pittsfieldma.gov or 413-499-9368.

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15 People Displaced in Pittsfield Home Fires

Staff Reports11:35AM / Sunday, October 11, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Fifteen people were displaced after 2-alarm home fires this weekend on Springside Avenue and Elaine Drive.

On Friday evening, the Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 209 Springside Ave., which took a four-hour battle to extinguish and resulted in a partial roof collapse. The next day, on Saturday evening, crews knocked down a fire at 121 Elaine Drive in about an hour.

The garage and part of the single-family home on Elaine Drive were gutted to the frame, along with a vehicle parked in the driveway. On Springside Avenue, the top level and porch of the multifamily were burned through.

A GoFundMe has been started for the family of the Elaine Drive home, which includes several young children. The fundraiser, with a $5,500 goal, explains they lost their home and all of their belongings. (iBerkshires.com does not confirm or endorse fundraisers; they are provided as information only.)

There were no civilian or firefighter injuries, and both incidents are under investigation. One dog was rescued on Springside Avenue.

On Oct. 10, around 6:15 p.m., PFD responded to the Springside Avenue home for a reported structure fire and saw a 2 1/2-story wood frame multifamily with a heavy blaze showing from the second-floor front porch, extending out.

The building suffered a partial roof collapse, which prolonged extinguishment. The fire was brought under control after about four hours.

“An aggressive offensive attack was mounted by first arriving crews stretching hose lines into the building as well as primary searches that proved negative. Ladders were placed around the structure to provide access as well as escape if needed. An off-duty Fire Captain had also been on scene early in the incident to help evacuate the structure and rescue a dog,” PFD wrote in a press release.

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