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Greylock Glen Plan Gets Round of ApplauseBy Tammy Daniels
iBerkshires Staff
01:37AM / Friday, July 24, 2009
Renderings of the Greylock Glen plan were displayed at last night's public information meeting.
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ADAMS, Mass. — Wednesday's presentation on the design for the long-gestating Greylock Glen brought applause and also concerns over traffic, costs and benefits.
Nearly three dozen people, including several selectmen, gathered on the second floor of the Adams Free Library for a slide presentation by representatives from Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc., designer for the footprint of the so-called core facilities at the foot of Mount Greylock.
"There should be an indication of how many jobs will be created," said Joseph Nowak. "That's what people are worried about."
Nowak, a supporter of the project, also expressed concerns about the amount of traffic over West Road to the site, others about the cost to the town and environmental impacts, and how townspeople and local organizations will be able to utilize the facilities.
A lot of the questions just can't be answered yet, said Community Development Director Donna E. Cesan, because the town has not reached that level of detail in the planning process.
What it does have is a site design and guidelines to begin developing requests for proposals for the various elements that will go into the year-round recreational center. First, the plan will have to pass muster under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act. The town hasn't filed with MEPA, but it and its partners and designers have been working to anticipate MEPA questions to ensure a smooth review.
From there, local permitting will begin before any private developers are signed on to construct and manage the planned educational center, amphitheatre, campground and Thunderbolt Lodge. An art garden will also be part of the plan with permanent and temporary pieces on exhibit.
"We are talking, though, on how we put that developers' package together, such as having a Web site," she said. "Because I've put a date on [the MEPA filing] before I'm not going to tonight ... I want it to be a very complex and thorough package."
Steven Derdiarian of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. said the elements of the glen development have been whittled down to 29 acres that will be altered from the original 50-acre target (the glen totals 1,063 acres). The goal has been to "tread lightly," said Derderian, and "to knit the plan into the existing landscape so we have an appropriate level of development, not overdevelopment."
The buildings are being envisioned in the 'New England vernacular of big house/little house' like a farm house that gets added onto over generations. |
That includes not only maintaining the existing landscape — part farmland and part forest with several manmade ponds — but taking advantage of the topography for orienting buildings to take advantage of solar energy, natural drainage and mountain views. For example, the 2,300 seat outdoor theater will use a sloping natural bowl for seating and sound reduction.
The four-season recreational and educational center will include an array of sustainable practices, including local materials, geothermal heating, photovoltaic cells, natural products and following LEED standards. The campground has been designed to offer tent sites, rustic cabins and eco-cabins, some of which will be usable during the winter.
"Adams is poised to be come a key player in the Berkshire tourism economy," said Derderian, instead of being the drive-through to other destinations. "Now it will bcome a destination. ... It's not just designed to draw outsiders to Adams, this is designed as a wonderful place for the people of Adams."
Some wondered how successful the glen would be in attracting developers in the current economic climate.
"We're in a bad cycle but we'll come out of it ... even private developers who aren't building now are making plans," said Leo Roy, director of VHB's Massachusetts Environmental Services Group. "What's important is to have a plan for the community to get behind.
"There's a lot of people in town who think this will never happen," continued the former state undersecretary for environmental affairs, referring to the past proposals that went nowhere. "What Donna has been doing is showing progress ... much better to finding developer if you can show momentum.
"This is your proposal — we're not here to sell you anything tonight."
The town was named developer of the project two years ago, working in partnership with the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and collaborating with the Appalachian Club, Mass Audubon, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Some $3 million in MassDevelopment funds is being matched by the town, which is pursuing grants and other funding sources.
The state and town are spending in concert; for example, the town paid for the site design while DCR paid for the trail system planning by Dodson & Associates. A public hearing on the trail system was held several weeks ago.
"Our town needs revitalization," said Nowak. "All the past plans were just to grandiose — they didn't make a lot of sense ... this seems to make sense ... I think it will bring people into our town."
The presentation is available for review at the library. |
| Linda, you mean to tell me you couldn't make your way to the many, and I mean , many existing state forest here in Berkshire county alone to appreciate all that nature has to offer. Sorry but I can't find my way to agree with you on this. This town is dying more quickly than you think and it needs a new mindset to flourish not the old. | | from: Fletch | on: 07-31-2009 |
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| There needs to be change in Adams. That's a fact. How many storefronts have been lost because people don't see the need to stop in Adams.I've lived in this town for most of my life and I love the Glen but if it changes, it will be for the better. Let change happen because it's the only constant in this world and then celebrate those changes. Remember the past but do not hestitate too long for fear of getting stuck. | | from: Ryan | on: 07-31-2009 |
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(my plea here is to protect not commercialize this beautiful and sacred Adams jewel)
The Glen
leave the glen alone all by itself
or instead-
go there for respite
tranquility
bird-watching
listen to the breezes
while the water trickles
lie down upon the ground
watch the clouds pass by
the glen is self-sustaining
the glen gives border to orchards
the glen is a protectorate
the glen gives peace of mind
the glen is a reminder
that without protest
some big moneyed beast
will end the glen
and all mentioned herein
concrete roads and erect signs
will steal its fragile existence
the glen is precious
a niche of natural beauty
leave the glen alone all by itself
| | from: Linda Bratcher Wlodyka- poet | on: 07-29-2009 |
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| Just read this article. No surprise here. More of the same blah, blah, blah. Stop wasting our time and taxpayer money on a venture that will reap little or no reward for this town in it's present form. But hey, the enviromentalists are once again a happy group, aren't they. | | from: Gary Fletcher | on: 07-29-2009 |
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| yet a new plan ! how long has it been that we have head the same bull time after time 30-35 years now . right sure waste yet some more money on a dream that will never happen in this state ,o i forgot they gave the million $ port a potty to shut you all up . sorry i lost my mine there for a minute lmao! | | from: hope | on: 07-24-2009 |
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