Bianchi Looking To Reopen Pittsfield Police Substations

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Daniel Bianchi is exploring ways to bring police substations back to four public housing projects.

Police used to have either an apartment or a room in Francis Plaza, Wilson Park Apartments, Dower Square and Christopher Arms as resource centers. They weren't staffed full time but an officers would meet with residents, provide information and bring the community together to organize picnics and carnivals.

"It was more of a resource center and a place where a beat officer could meet with people," Police Lt. Kate O'Brien said Monday at the Police Advisory Committee. "The Wilson Project was incredibly successful. It was building the neighborhood up."

The biggest benefit was that it brought residents together when they wouldn't interact otherwise and empowered them to do more together. It also opened lines of communication with both neighbors and officers to address issues facing the residents.

"We're not telling people to do anything. They are a part of it," O'Brien said.

Bianchi has already begun conversations with the committee, sheriff's department, Police Department, district attorney's office and the Housing Authority to research options. Each one of those agencies is expected to weigh in and the mayor's office will put together a plan.

"We found them pretty effective," Bianchi said on Tuesday of the past substations. "It's good when you can have more of a police presence."

The city could seek additional funding through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development or absorb it in the city budget, Bianchi said.

"This could be a good, effective way to bring policing more into the community but also have a greater civic involvement," he said. "It can go from very little cost to a lot more expensive depending on how you design them."

Habitat For Humanity Modular Homes Coming to Robbins Ave.

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:33AM / Friday, April 11, 2025

The homes will be available for residents earning between 55 and 65 percent of the area median income. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The first of two below-market modular homes arrived on the West Side on Thursday, and both are expected to be move-in ready this summer.

The other is expected next week.

Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity is building two below-market condominiums at 112 Robbins Ave. for families earning between 55 percent and 65 percent of the area median income. Monthly costs for the three- and four-bedroom units are expected to be less than $1,500 with Habitat's subsidies.

Modulars allow for quicker construction to get more families into quality, affordable housing.

"Just because we have such an aggressive schedule this year, we are doing many modulars in addition to the stick-built that we usually do," communications manager Erin O'Brien explained.

Just this year, the nonprofit is constructing five homes in Pittsfield and 10 in Housatonic.

The two homes at 112 Robbins Ave. will come to $148,000 for a three-bedroom with the 20 percent subsidy and $156,000 for a four-bedroom. Similar homes in the Pittsfield area are valued between $225,000 and $250,000.

While prices are subject to change, the three-bedroom condo will cost owners about $1,430 per month and the four bedroom $1,495 per month, compared to renting in the city for more than $1,800 per month. Habitat noted that this provides a potential annual savings of $4,500 to $6,000, while building equity and long-term financial security.

The eligibility range between 55 percent and 65 percent AMI is said to support families who earn too much for most housing subsidies but still struggle to afford market-rate homes.