PEDA Planning Three Open Houses for Stanley Business Park

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Economic Development Authority will host three open house events on Aug. 24, Aug. 31, and Sept. 14 at the William Stanley Business Park to showcase the park's developable building sites. PEDA is encouraging potential developers, builders, existing businesses and community members to attend and learn about current and future plans and view available properties.

Each open house will run from 4 to 7 p.m., at the PEDA office on the corner of Kellogg Street and Woodlawn Avenue. Refreshments will be offered, and guests can gather information and see firsthand the sites available at the park. In addition, guided walking tours will be offered at 4:30 and 6 p.m.

"The summer season draws numerous visitors to the area, many of whom own or run businesses, so it's an ideal time to highlight these wonderful building site opportunities," said Corydon Thurston, PEDA executive director. "These are folks who already love to vacation in the Berkshires, and we'd like to encourage them, along with our local area business people, to consider growing their companies here at the William Stanley Business Park."

In addition to current features and recent park enhancements, attendees can view the proposed site for Woodlawn Crossing.

After 22 years in Pittsfield, Walmart desires to relocate to this site and expand into a new 190,000-square-foot Supercenter, similar to others in the region, that includes a supermarket. This project, offered by Needham-based Waterstone Retail Development, would transform the blighted 16-acres of concrete slabs and blacktop into a retail destination that is expected to leverage mixed-use opportunities and new investment on adjacent and nearby neighborhood properties. PEDA anticipates that Woodlawn Crossing and the potential for additional retail businesses, medical offices, research and development, life sciences and light manufacturing businesses, will bring new entrepreneurial focus on the eight available building sites within the park.


Tags: business park,   open house,   PEDA,   

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Pittsfield Council to See 10-Year Charter Review Report

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Following almost two years of work, the Charter Review Committee has made its recommendations to the City Council.

Tuesday's council agenda includes the committee's report dealing with governance items such as the charter objection, term limits, and financial procedures. Every 10 years, a panel reviews the City Charter, which defines the city's structure of government.

"The Charter Review Committee was established by city ordinance in May 2023. Its first meeting took place on August 7, 2023, under the direction of City Solicitor Stephen Pagnotta," Chair Michael McCarthy's executive summary reads.

"Solicitor Pagnotta informed the committee that its mission is to offer recommendations to city government concerning the Charter."

The charter objection was the most discussed issue throughout the preview process.  Members determined "the City's interest in a functioning government is not served well by a Charter' Objection being made by a sole Councilor."

The nearly 50-page report proposes amendments to Article 2 Section 9C, Charter Objection, to allow for discussion, require three supporters, and be prohibited when it pertains to the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

"The Committee felt strongly that the budgetary process should not be held hostage to a Charter Objection. The process of approving a budget under the Charter involves months of hearings with firm calendar restrictions, leading to a budget that must be in place before each fiscal year begins," McCarthy wrote.

"A Charter Objection during this process would have the potential to disrupt and delay the budget being in place on July 1 of each fiscal year."

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