Community Sessions Will Inform Mohawk Theater RFP

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Residents will have a chance to weigh in on future plans for the Mohawk Theater during two forums in March. 
 
The forums will be held Monday, March 7, and Wednesday, March 9,  both at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers.
 
Mayor Jennifer Macksey said they will be informational sessions on how the request for proposals process works and for brainstorming ideas to inform bidders what the community would like. 
 
"The focus is to engage the community and that they have a voice," said Macksey. 
 
The mayor withdrew a bid recommended by the prior administration just weeks into her term. The proposal by a New York developer to transform the former movie house into an events venue for a planned hotel at 103 Main St. drew condemnation from residents at several City Council meetings.
 
Many objected that the plans didn't include a long hoped for performing arts venue and that the price accepted was only $21,000 (the RFP also required the winning bidder to restore the marquee.)
 
The future of the 84-year-old Main Street structure has been in doubt for more than 35 years now. The movie house has been vacant since about 1991 and the interior completely gutted nearly two years ago. The costs and space needs to transform the cinema into a performing arts venue have been daunting. 
 
The city has invested $2,656,435 in public grants into the theater project with $889,000 used for various studies and engineering, including a Massachusetts Cultural Council grant of $30,000 to look into connecting it to the Dowlin Block, where the proposed hotel would be located.
 
Another $600,000 in borrowing approved by the City Council in 2009 with the supposition that historic tax credits would somehow pay that off. About $52,000 is left on that loan.
 
Macksey had said her decision to reject the proposal was based the loan debt and that the bidder didn't have enough time to put forth an "adequate" plan.
 
Veselko Buntic, the sole bidder, told the City Council during a presentation of his plans that he had learned about the request for proposals about a week before it was due and that he would have provided a more comprehensive presentation given more time. 
 
The mayor said she wants to be sure there is more communication and transparency when this next RFP goes out.
 
"I want to get some community input and in the RFP, it's a little unique, but we're gonna have community comment," she said. "Just thoughts about what people want, but the understanding that we know that the Mohawk can't stay the way it was. We need to get up with current times."
 
 

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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.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

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. 

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