An image from the 2020 parking survey showing how the bridge and the gray areas (parking) tends to separate the city.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A federally funded study of the downtown will have a singular charge: what to do with the Veterans Memorial Bridge.
The bridge construction was part of an urban renewal project in the mid-1960s that leveled a large portion of the downtown and straightened and expanded Route 2.
"So what it's done over the years is it doesn't just present a physical separation between Mass MoCA and Main Street but it's created this narrative," said Jenny Wright, director of strategic communications and advancement at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. "It's a false narrative, that Mass MoCA and downtown are two different things. It's reinforced this us/them narrative."
Wright updated the Mass MoCA Commission on next steps for the $750,000 Reconnecting Communities grant the city was awarded in February. The application was a joint endeavor by the museum and city, through grants officer Carrie Burnett.
The study will look at three options: repairs to the Veterans Memorial Bridge, developing an urban streetscape design that incorporates it, and removing it completely.
"These are the scenarios that we've asked for in the study so that we have as wide a range of options to consider as possible, considering everything from cost to environmental impact to traffic flows to pedestrian flows, etc.," Wright said.
The study is anticipated to provide scenarios for moving forward with ways to better connect the downtown area, including the museum.
The projects done during urban renewal — including the overpasses and the Hoosic River flood control — were built for a different reality and a different priority, Wright said.
"And so as they start to show their age, which they have, the question now becomes, how have the needs and priorities of the communities and do these interventions to help or hinder progress towards our goals?" she asked.
Judith Grinnell of the Hoosic River Revival noted that her organization was embarking on feasibility study as well.
"We are stronger together and it's important that we work together," she said. "This river crosses the city in about eight different places, just within a three-quarters of a mile, so we need to talk about transportation and the river together."
Exactly how the grant will be implemented is still an unknown; an agreement isn't in hand yet and a webinar for grantees scheduled next week.
Wright said the commission will get monthly updates, information will be posted on the city website and the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition will assist by hosting community information sessions.
North Adams was one of only two communities in the state and 45 in the nation to receive the funding.
"For us to be one of the recipients of this is a huge accomplishment and, frankly, unexpected. It felt like a little bit of a Hail Mary," Wright said.
The decision to pursue the application came from renewed interest in the Vision 2030 master plan adopted in 2014. The plan was three years in the making and provided a guide to the community's goals and vision.
Commissioner Eric Kerns said it was an opportunity to bring together all the other studies done over the years and look at all the good ideas comprehensively.
"One of the issues that we're running up against is the city was designed in a different time when it had different priorities and different needs," he said, echoing Wright's comments. "And in order to support the work that we want to do now to evolve the city and move it forward, we kind of need to have the physical environment match and support that work."
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North Adams Making Plans to Address Library Belvedere
By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — With a $75,000 matching Mass Historic grant, city officials are moving closer to addressing the library's decrepit belvedere.
"This is the closest we have ever been so for me, being part of this process since 1992, it is very exciting, and I hope you are excited too," Mayor Jennifer Macksey said.
"... We used to say from a distance, it looks beautiful. Now from a distance, you can see it worn."
On Thursday, Macksey met with the library trustees to hold early discussions on how to fund the project which was originally estimated to cost $375,000. Macksey hopes to use a mix of Sale of City Owned Property Account funds and money from Cariddi bequest to make up the difference.
"As time goes on and as this project evolves, we'll see where dollars fall or other opportunities fall," she said. "My biggest fear is that it's going to be over the $370,000 in the sense of where we are with construction in general … So we do have some funds available, but once we get to bids then we'll really drill down on the price. We certainly don't want to exhaust the Cariddi fund."
After bids are opened and a clearer understanding of the total project cost is established, the cost split can be discussed.
She said other grants could become available later. While she's open to borrowing to finish the project, she prefers to use existing funds.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is ensuring that students have resources when they're running low on necessities like food and care items.
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Through the fall, the two have been busy making the space their own with the installation of the XL Arcade, which has 40 new arcade games for kids and adults, and other improvements throughout the building including a ramp to the event space. click for more