Wahconah Park Restoration Advancing With Support From Parks Commission

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — While there are some unknowns, the restoration of Wahconah Park is advancing.

On Tuesday, the Parks Commission supported a move toward the project's development and design phase. Mayor Peter Marchetti has received a final report from the Wahconah Park Restoration Committee recommending a $28.4 million rebuild of the grandstand and parking lot.

"Although there are still some unknowns on how we're going to close the gap of funding, I think it's imperative that we take the next step and move on and get ourselves into the development and design phase," he told the commissioners.

"We all know that the longer we wait, the more expensive it will be."

In late June, the restoration committee unanimously voted to move from the schematic design to the design development phase that will deliver full architectural and engineering plans. Planners hope for a yearlong construction beginning next year.

With $18 million committed between grant funding and capital borrowing, the committee must work to fill the $10 million gap.

"I'm glad we're moving forward," Chair Paula Albro said.

Members met for the first time in the summer of 2022 after major issues were found in the more than 70-year-old grandstand including deteriorating support beams, missing bolts, and asbestos materials in the siding and roof.

According to the order, the committee is charged with:

• Assessing the current condition of the park's facilities.
• Holding hearings and soliciting input from residents, engineers, architects, and anyone the committee deems necessary and appropriate.
• Recommending the size, location, design, and type of repairs, replacement, or construction for the grandstand and associated areas.
• Working with the Purchasing Department to advise and make recommendations to the mayor and Parks Commission for the hiring or engaging of architects, engineers, inspectors, and other agents to advise and assist in the committee's duties.
• Issuing a preliminary report to the mayor within 180 days of its appointment and a final report within 270 days.

The administration will explore adding a second phase to the committee's work that focuses on funding.

"We know the city's commitment that I put out pretty early on, we know that we have some federal dollars, we know there's a potential state earmark, and then we also know that there's an opportunity to fundraise and receive sponsorships," Marchetti said.

"So my office is exploring how we can expand the duties of the restoration committee and maybe not include all the members of the restoration committee because they may not want to be a part of asking for money from various organizations in terms of a sponsorship."

The city plans to continue working with S3 Design Inc. as the lead architects and project managers, EDM Studio for local architectural support for regulatory review and code compliance, SLR Consulting for stadium design and renovation, Dant Clayton for a structure permit/bid package for the seating and roof structure, and Sports Facilities Co. for a review of the design, operations, and support.

Design development will cost more than $1.2 million and will take about 25 weeks after work is initiated, Marchetti reported.

Pittsfield City Council Weighs in on 'Crisis' in Public Schools

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
08:59PM / Monday, December 23, 2024

A half-dozen people addressed the City Council from the floor of Monday's meeting, including Valerie Anderson, right.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After expressing anger and outrage and making numerous calls for accountability and transparency, the 11 members of the City Council on Monday voted to support the School Committee in seeking an independent investigation into allegations of misconduct by staff members at Pittsfield High School that have come to light in recent weeks.

 

At the close of a month that has seen three PHS administrators put on administrative leave, including one who was arrested on drug trafficking charges, the revelation that the district is facing a civil lawsuit over inappropriate conduct by a former teacher and that a staff member who left earlier in the year is also under investigation at his current workplace, the majority of the council felt compelled to speak up about the situation.

 

"While the City Council does not have jurisdiction over the schools … we have a duty to raise our voices and amplify your concerns and ensure this crisis is met with the urgency it demands," Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey said.

 

About two dozen community members attended the special meeting of the council, which had a single agenda item.

 

Four of the councilors precipitated the meeting with a motion that the council join the School Committee in its search for an investigation and that the council, "be included in the delivery of any disclosures, interim reports or findings submitted to the city."

 

Last week, the School Committee decided to launch that investigation. On Monday, City Council President Peter White said the School Committee has a meeting scheduled for Dec. 30 to authorize its chair to enter negotiations with the Springfield law firm of Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas to conduct that probe.

 

Ward 7 Councilor Rhonda Serre, the principal author of the motion of support, was one of several members who noted that the investigation process will take time, and she, like Kavey, acknowledged that the council has no power over the public schools beyond its approval of the annual district budget.