Joanne Gregory, President of the Pittsfield Family YMCA, announced today that the YMCA's affordable housing project at its North Street headquarters is 85% complete and will be ready to open in December.
The housing project has included a complete reconstruction of its upper two floors of the 93-year old YMCA building, replacing 80 dormitory-style rooms with 44 new studio apartments. The new apartments will provide safe and affordable housing to lower income single adults, Gregory said, at a rental rate comparable to the rates that the Y had charged for its dormitory rooms.
In contrast to the old rooms, which had no cooking facilities and shared bathrooms, Gregory said that the studio apartments will each come equipped with a private bathroom with shower and kitchenette area with sink, microwave and refrigerator. The apartments will be furnished with new beds, dressers, nightstands, tables and chairs. Three of the apartments have been constructed to be fully handicap accessible. Tenants will have use of a coin-operated laundry on site, two lounge areas and an office.
Gregory said that thirty of the apartments will be subsidized through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Section 8 housing program. Of the remaining 14 apartments, Gregory said, 12 will rent at $250 per month and 2 will rent at $375 per month, in each case with all utilities (except telephone and cable) included.
In contrast to the older dormitory arrangement, where rooms rented by the day or week, the studio apartments will rent on a year-to-year basic under the terms of a written lease. In addition to the complete reconstruction of the residence floors of the YMCA building and a new elevator system, the complete renovation of the main lobby of the YMCA has been made possible by the generosity of a private benefactor.
According to Gregory, the renovated lobby will be brighter, more inviting and more user-friendly than the current arrangement. With structural improvements to the lobby and a new computerized access card security system, the residential and the recreational uses of the YMCA will be better separated than they have been in the past, Gregory said.
Gregory said that construction of the project began in March and she credits Barry Architects and Allegrone Construction Company, both of Pittsfield, for bringing the project in on budget and ahead of schedule. Berkshire Housing Development Corporation was retained by the YMCA to serve as Development Consultant for the project through its design, financing and construction phases.
Its subsidiary, Berkshire Housing Services, Inc. will manage the project when it begins operations in December. Gregory said that Berkshire Housing was instrumental in helping to assemble the funding for the project from five different sources-the Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation, the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation and the City of Pittsfield. The financing package for the project includes $3 million in grants and other investments, so that neither YMCA nor its other programs will be financially burdened by the project, according to Gregory.
Gregory said that although income eligible residents who were living at the YMCA shortly before construction began have priority of the new apartments, Berkshire Housing Services, as the rental agent, is also accepting applications from the general public. In order to qualify to rent one of the units, applicants cannot have annual income over $21,900. Gregory said that individuals interested in applying for an apartment should contact Jane Pixley at Berkshire Housing Services' office at 74 North Street or call 499-1630, ext. 148.
The Pittsfield Family YMCA plans an open house on December 4, 2002 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Gregory said, in order to display the new apartments, dedicate the new lobby and reintroduce the community to the wide range of services available at the YMCA. The renovated residence units represent just one part of the YMCA's meeting its mission of community service.
Gregory said that the Pittsfield Family YMCA has over 2,700 members and serves over 4000 people each year from ages 6 months through senior citizen. Other programs include childcare, youth sports, day camp, supervised visitation, family programs, older adult activities, aquatics and health and fitness. The Pittsfield Family YMCA does not turn individuals away because of inability to pay fees.
Financial assistance is available for all qualified applicants. Gregory also said that the Y and its Board of Directors are pleased to be making this contribution to the revitalization of the North Street and the community it serves.
For more information contact: Joanne Gregory, President of the Pittsfield Family YMCA at 499-7650, ext 12 -- Peter Lafayette, President of Berkshire Housing Services, Inc at 499-1630, ext 103
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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