Selectmen Chair John Duval gets a loud reception after reminding the hundreds who attended the opening that it took 50 years to get to Friday.
ADAMS, Mass. — There's been numerous plans for the Greylock Glen over the past half century — casinos and golf courses, condos and hotels, tramways and ski slopes.
On Friday, the first milestone in the development of the 50-acre parcel was finally realized with the opening of the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center.
"It's taken us 50 years. Good morning everyone! We all did it, right? We did it!" said Selectmen Chair John Duval, encouraging the hundreds of gathered at the center to cheer and applaud on Friday morning. "It's been a long-standing hope that this building will establish Adams as a destination for outdoor recreation. ...
"The project is intended to serve as a catalyst for economic growth of Adams and the Northern Berkshires, a community. As a community, we look to build on our strengths, and one of the our greatest strengths is the breadth of outdoor recreation opportunities available."
This vision at foot of Mount Greylock began 18 years ago when the town of Adams signed an agreement with state to develop the parcel after numerous private entities had failed. It took years of meetings with local stakeholders to hash out agreements over conservation, recreation and development along with hefty sums of public funding to make it a reality.
Town Administrator Jay Green noted the strong support the project had received from the community, how every request for funding had been approved by the town meeting members.
"Today, we are turning over the keys, the metaphorical keys, to achieving the long-held dreams and goals that this building holds inside and represents. The outdoor center belongs to you," he told the gathering. "What stands behind me is a beautiful, modern building, designed and built to complement its magnificent surroundings. It is full of potential, and again, you hold the key to unlock that potential."
The net-zero structure designed by architect William Maclay to evoke the mountain immediately behind it offers a views of the Berkshires, a welcoming lobby, exhibit detailing its construction and the natural world, a cafe and meeting and class rooms for future programming by Mass Audubon. A patio in the back looks out on the state's highest summit and provides access to trails within the 1,000-acre glen and into the 12,000-acre Mount Greylock State Reservation. It was constructed by local company Souliere & Zepka, led by Amanda Zepka.
"This center is a place of entry. It's a place of wonder, it's a place of well-being, it's a place of inspiration, and it is a place of change," said Paul Jahnige, director of the state's new Office of Outdoor Recreation. "It's very exciting about that this Greylock Glen and the Greylock Glen Center are not just about recreation or education, although they are about recreation and education, they are about public health and they are about economic vitality and they are about inspiring the next generation to tackle the future."
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, who obtained a $1 million earmark for the project combined with $2.9 million in federal funding toward the project, said it was one of his favorite projects.
"It has the best intentions of Washington policy, state policy and local governance. It's significant largely because it unites passive recreation with active recreation," he said, adding, "There's always a great deal of competition for a limited number of federal dollars. But what's important about it is that the application has to be sustainable.
"It has to be really good. It has to stand up under the scrutiny of some really, I think, critical eyes, and the fact that it was so well done, I think, is a great credit and testament to the Board of Selectmen, to the town administrator and to those of you who have participated.
State Rep. John Barrett III said the glen had been on his mind when he considered running for office after the death of Gailanne Cariddi, who had been a strong supporter of the project.
It couldn't be any worse or crazier than Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, the former North Adams mayor said, believing the outdoor center will act as a catalyst for growth in the same way the museum has in the city. Barrett also called out former Gov. Charlie Baker who had listened to his and the board's pleas for funding to bring the center to fruition.
"In typical Barrett style, I've been a little grumpy about things. More has to be done here. And I don't say this as words of wisdom, but words of experience. You've got to look at getting a developer here that's going to do this project and get it moving," the representative said. "This is a one-time opportunity that this town's going to have. ... The town cannot continue to support it, and the taxpayers can't continue to support it. You have a diamond in this project, and I would urge the town government to move forward with it and get a developer."
Barrett touched on the fact that the outdoor center is the first step — albeit a long gestating one — to the development plans unveiled more than a dozen years ago. The future looks to a lodge and a campground to complement the completed trails and outdoor center. The Selectmen recently selected Shared Estates to develop the campground.
But officials hope to shift the glen's oversight to a board and have it self-sustaining. Jonathan Butler, president and CEO of 1Berkshire, said it was not just for Adams but for the region as whole. Outdoor recreation had driven more than $100 million in investment in the Berkshires in recent years as a four-season economy.
"This is a milestone day with more to come, but it's one worth celebrating that this community deserves," said Jonathan Butler, president and CEO of 1Berkshire, former town administrator and Adams resident.
Real economic development — it is not for the impatient. It doesn't happen quickly. ... The reality is to bring truly meaningful projects to fruition, it takes years, possibly decades in this case, generations, before that work bears fruit. This project is a shiny example of the long game and what can happen when you bring together the right vision and pair it with the desire resilience and support that this community has and that's needed to get it done. Adams has done this today."
He and others put the spotlight on Donna Cesan, who spent the last 20 years — even after "retirement" from Community Development — shepherding the project.
"She was one of the original visionaries. She has seen this project through many steps, many iterations of select boards and elected officials and town administrations," Butler said. "Donna has lived and breathed this project for much of her career."
