NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The owners of the Tourists resort are planning a $17 million expansion of the facility into the Blackinton Mill that's estimated to add at least 25 new full-time job.
According to a communication from Mayor Jennifer Macksey, representatives from the resort will give an overview of their plans at Tuesday's City Council meeting in advance of the mayor requesting a tax increment financing agreement for the project at the last meeting in August.
Also on hand will be Paul St. Pierre, regional director of the Western Massachusetts Office of Business Development, who will do a "brief educational presentation" on TIFs.
Tourists lead developer Benjamin Svenson revealed plans nearly a decade ago to include the nearly 100-year-old textile mill into the resort's eventual expansion as a "rural park."
The Beyond Place LLC purchased the Redwood Motel on State Road in 2015 with the intention of rebuilding the deteriorating motor court into a boutique motel along what is being called the "Cultural Corridor" between North Adams and Williamstown. That modest proposal grew by leaps and bounds to comprise some 18 properties on 30 acres on both sides of the Hoosic River — including the Blackinton Mill and former wastewater treatment plant property — with an expanded motor court, lounge, suspension bridge and trails by the time the hotel opened in 2018.
The woolen mill in various forms had operated from 1822 to its closing in 1950. Later owners tried to resurrect the 1917 brick structure as residential, including Meehan & Co. and Lawrence and Marc Magid of New York City, who purchased it right after the economic collapse. The building has been used for a number of commercial activities.
The cleared area in front of the mill on Ashton Avenue is owned by the city and is the site of the former Widen Tannery. An easement was signed with the current owners some years ago for use of the site for parking.
Macksey, in her letter to the council, said the resort owners anticipate more than 15,000 staying overnight in the city and that the development will result in "eliminating the existing unsightliness of the area."
The proposed agreement is being drafted with the city solicitor and will be reviewed by the state's Office of Business Development. The mayor anticipated that with council approval, the agreement could be voted at the state's Economic Assistance Coordinating Council's September meeting.
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North Adams Council Sets School Debt Exclusion Vote
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Council President Bryan Sapienza holds up an application to work as a poll worker for the upcoming elections. The form can be found under 'Becoming an election worker' under city clerk on the city website or in the city clerk's office.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council gave final approval on Tuesday for the mayor to borrow $65,362,859 for a new Greylock School to serve Grades prekindergarten through 2.
This final adoption paves the way for two community forums and a debt exclusion vote scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Elizabeth's Parish Center. Passage of the debt exclusion vote will allow the city to raise funds beyond its levy limit for the life of the loan.
City Clerk Tina Marie Leonesio said the city has about 1,400 requests for mail-in ballots for all elections and that in-person early voting will start the Saturday before.
The first forum is Thursday, Aug. 15, at 6 p.m. at Greylock; officials will provide an overview of the project and tours of the school. Zoom participation is available here. Northern Berkshire Community Television will also record the forums for later broadcast.
The second forum is Thursday, Aug. 22, at 6 p.m. at Brayton Elementary School. The Zoom link is the same and those attending in person can also take a tour of the building.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority will pick up about $41,557,218 of the cost, the city about $20 million and the $3 million balance is expected to come from federal energy grants. The 30-year tiered loan for $20 million is expected to have its highest impact in 2029 when it will add $270 to the average tax bill, or about $22.50 a month.
This final adoption paves the way for two community forums and a debt exclusion vote scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Elizabeth's Parish Center.
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