The Al Nelson Friendship Center Food Pantry is planning to move into the warehouse of the former Aubuchon's on Union Street once renovations are completed.
North Adams Planners Gives Thumbs Up to Food Pantry Relocation
The Planning Board on Monday unanimously approved the Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative's application to relocate to the store's warehouse from Eagle Street, where it has operated for 13 years.
The initiative says the food pantry is the largest in North Berkshire and serves an average of 123 households across Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, North Adams and Savoy. There are no eligibility requirements. In addition to food, the Friendship Center provides diapers, books and provides space for community agencies to do outreach on pantry days.
The pantry's current location at 45 Eagle St. is 1,200-square-foot space and it's been utilizing the Eagle Street Room of First Baptist Church for sign-ins. In contrast, the former hardware store has 3,500-square-foot space on the first floor of the north end, which will enable the food pantry to conduct both sign-ins of guests and distribution in one site, a longtime goal. It does not include the storefront section of the building.
Pantry officials say both properties are owned by Skip Barry (the Union Street property is listed as being owned by Guity Valizadeh and Natalie Barry since 2019). The new location will need to undergo renovations before it can open.
The food pantry started operating in February 2011 in a 720-square-foot space at 43 Eagle St. then moved next door in May 2015.
In addition to consolidating the entire food distribution process in one site, the larger facility would allow for office space, room for more services, and more room for food storage. The all-volunteer organization plans to conduct a capital campaign to fund its investment.
Board member Lisa Blackmer said her office is directly across the street from the new location and she saw no problems with traffic, since most of it would occur during limited times of operation compared to the hardware store.
"I agree, if you can pull it off on Eagle Street without people noticing, I'm pretty sure the parking on Union Street is going to be a breeze," said member Kyle Hanlon.
Lois Daunis, president of the pantry's board of directors, said the building will require significant renovations before the pantry can move.
"We have had numerous meetings with Skip to outline our needs and concerns regarding the warehouse," she wrote in the application's narrative. "We also had an independent contractor do a walk-through with Skip and report back to the pantry board of directors."
Building Inspector William Meranti agreed with the board it was a good spot, but "there are issues with the building not that dissimilar to what happened on Eagle Street," he said, referring to the Barry-owned 19 Eagle St., the former Moderne Studios, which had to be demolished.
In answer to questions about trash receptacles, food coordinator Rich Davis said it would be up to the landlord but the pantry generates little trash. Goodwill delivers food from the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and takes away the cardboard, he said.
The board also approved special permit applications for short-term rental units for Enasin LLC for property located at 17 Forrest St. and for Yina Moore for property located at 23 Eagle St.
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North Adams Arts Commission OKs 'Hatchlings' Installations for Downtown
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Vanessa Hooper of Studio HHH gives a presentation on the light structures to the Public Arts Commission on Thursday.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A light installation that's graced the Esplanade and Greenway in Boston the last couple years will spend the spring, and likely the summer, in North Adams.
The Public Arts Commission last week enthusiastically approved a proposal by Studio HHH to set up the "Hatchlings," six lighted half shells, at points around the downtown.
The studio has offices in Greylock Works, where the Hatchlings were built. The half shells are a metal framework strung with LED lights that can be programmed. Two are solar-powered and the others require electricity.
"They really just generally attract a lot of attention and people wanting to come ... they just sort of flock to it and want to take photos," said Vanessa Hooper, director of Studio HHH.
She gave a presentation on their construction and showed pictures of people interacting with them during their time in Boston.
"I included these photos because we were actually really surprised that a lot of people come during the day and still like to take photographs in them as they are, this sort of like basket-woven black structure is also just really beautiful, and people love that, too."
They spent a year on the Esplanade, playing off the iconic Hatch Shell, and the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, until all nine were moved to the Greenway last November.
A light installation that's graced the Esplanade and Greenway in Boston the last couple years will spend the spring, and likely the summer, in North Adams. click for more
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