State Awards Grant to Finish Berkshire Scenic Railway
ADAMS, Mass. — The state has awarded $2.6 million to make the final mile connecting the town to North Adams by rail a reality.
The MassWorks funding for the Berkshire Scenic Railway was part of the more than $4 million in grants awarded on Tuesday morning for projects in the two communities.
Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash was at the Adams Station at 3 Hoosac St. on Tuesday morning to tell officials that the last 6/10th of a mile of track to bring the rail to the station was a go.
"The last time I was here I had to drive out and look down and imagine what the possibilities were," Ash said. "Now I am excited to get on the train ... and I hope to be able to take the first train ride."
Ash said once the track is complete, both communities will benefit from each other's downtowns, making both communities stronger.
"By connecting the two communities and letting tourists go back and forth we think you are going to see a great deal of ... interest in the special attractions, shops and restaurants that both of you have," he said. "I would congratulate you for being so passionate about this project."
The project began in 2013 with an agreement between North Adams, Adams and the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum. The train has been operational since fall 2015 after the state Department of Transportation purchased and refurbished the line for $2.8 million. But the rail ended at Renfrew in Adams because the funding wasn't in place to complete the last section to Hoosac Street. The project came to a grinding halt in May when the completion of the track was nowhere to be found in MassDOT's five-year capital plan.
Ash noted that it was not easy to finish the track but said the Baker administration saw the importance of the rail. He added that the tracks may have never reached the ready and waiting Adams Station if it wasn't for the efforts of the region's state representatives and the community leadership.
"Frankly if it wasn't for Mayor Alcombright, Tony [Adams Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco], Senator Downing and Representative Cariddi we would not have been reminded over and over again, some might say harassed but I'll use the word reminded, of the importance of this project," Ash joked.
North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright thanked Ash, Gov. Charlie Baker and his administration, and Mazzucco for their efforts and support.
"What a wonderful day for the town of Adams and the city of North Adams," Alcombright said. "I want to thank the town of Adams for their faith in their leadership and certainly for their faith in me to bring this project to completion."
Jonathan Butler, president and chief executive officer of 1Berkshire, said when he first joined discussions about the railway in 2012 as town administrator it seemed like a long shot.
"A lot of dots connected and it sounded really ambitious, complicated and expensive but we looked at it and looked at out downtowns," Butler said. "We thought this is exactly the kind of thing that we need."
Butler pushed through the Adams Station project that used more than a half-million in federal and town funds to transform the former carwash into a welcoming point for rail riders.
He added that the train could bring upwards of 15,000 to 20,000 tourists to the communities annually.
Ash also awarded North Adams $2.1 million for the Greylock Works project. Ash said the funds will be used to install a parking lot and access points and further redevelop the former Cariddi Mill. The 240,000 square-foot mill is undergoing an estimated $15 million public/private renovation that will transform it into event, artisanal food production, hospitality, and residential uses.
Alcombright echoed how important these funds are to development in North Adams and the surrounding area.
"This region is seeing private investment right now that we have not seen in years and these awards today I think speaks volumes of the commitment of the privet sector and the public sector that back them up," he said.
The city also received a $250,000 planning grant to support a total planning grant of $850,000 for the second phase of the proposed extreme model railroad museum in Western Gateway Heritage State Park.
"When I first heard about the museum ... for that following week I asked everyone I saw in Boston if they would go to a model railroad museum," Ash said. "Everyone I asked asked 'where is it?' This will only build on the cultural resources in the region."
Mazzucco also thanked Ash, the Baker administration and Adams Director of Community Development Donna Cesan for their efforts and said the grants will only improve the region.
"The sky may be cloudy today but the future is bright with projects like these," Mazzucco said.
Tags: greylock mill, MassWorks grant, scenic rail, state officials, train stations,
