Pittsfield Council OKs $475K in CPA Projects
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council has awarded almost $475,000 in Community Preservation Act funds to historic, open space, recreation, and housing projects.
During Tuesday's regular meeting, $474,098 was awarded to FY26 projects, and $524,967 was appropriated for the next fiscal year's CPA budget.
Before this, the council adopted a $232.7 million city budget for fiscal year 2027, which begins on July 1.
Projects for Pittsfield's youth, cultural organizations, historic and outdoor assets were funded with appropriations ranging from $10,000 to $150,000. This includes funds to Berkshire Theatre Group, Roots Rising, Arrowhead, and Williams Elementary School.
The Community Preservation Committee began its annual process of soliciting projects for funding in September 2025, receiving ten eligibility applications in historic resources, and open space and recreation in the first phase. Seven projects were presented to the CPC during public meetings on March 26 and March 23, and on April 13, the committee recommended funding for 8 projects to the City Council.
The city's Affordable Housing Trust received $150,000 to disperse to eligible projects, along with seven other projects, totaling $474,098.
The 2026 CPA awardees:
- Berkshire Theater Group: Colonial Theatre Masonry, $121,700
- Williams Elementary School: Playground improvements, $25,000
- Roots Rising Farm Improvements: $125,000
- City of Pittsfield Parks Department: Pontoosuc Park Improvements, $12,000
- City of Pittsfield Conservation Commission: Wild Acres Improvements $14,175
- Berkshire County Historical Society: Arrowhead Painting, $10,000
- City of Pittsfield Historical Commission: Historic Plaque Preservation, $16,223
- Pittsfield Affordable Housing Trust: Community Housing Projects, $150,000
Three of the projects are in historic preservation, four are in open space and recreation, and the AHT received the community housing funds to be dispersed.
Roots Rising is working on a farm and educational center on Barker Road to serve as the organization's home. The $5 million project will include a main house, shop, farm fields for vegetable growing, gardens, and forest land.
The nonprofit requested and received $125,000 to expand farm operations and construct the farmland education center.
BTG requested and was granted $121,700 in CPA funds to restore and repair masonry and architectural features on the Colonial Theater's exterior. The project's total cost is $318,900, and it will help preserve and stabilize the structure.
The Pittsfield Parks Department received its full request of $12,000 for shore access improvements to Pontoosuc Lake Park as it undergoes a larger renovation. The CPA funds will create access points from the boardwalk to the lakefront for fishing and other activities.
Last year, community members argued that erosion control plantings impeded access at Pontoosuc Lake, four easy access points were proposed, and a site visit with the Conservation Commission revealed that some of the bank erosion was worse than they believed.
Stairs were then proposed for that area instead.
Williams Elementary School received $25,000 of the $100,000 it requested for a new, modern playground.
PTO members last year launched an effort to revitalize the playground and make it more accessible, citing safety concerns with the outdated play structures. Parents are raising money internally for the $330,000 project and exploring grant opportunities.
Last year, the City Council adopted a $500,458 CPA budget for FY26, including a $400,000 estimated local surcharge, a $100,000 estimated state match, and a $458 carry-over reserve from FY25.
The actual match from the state, $116,261, was higher than anticipated, and locally, Pittsfield generated $387,804, lower than the original estimate.
The total budget for FY26 was $504,065.19.
Tags: CPA,
