image description — The former Christian Youth Center on Melville Street is being demolished to make way for a playground for the Boys and Girls Club.

Former CYC in Pittsfield Demolished

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
10:17AM / Friday, August 08, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After more than 75 years on Melville Street, the former Catholic Youth Center is being reduced to bricks.

Only part of the building's facade remained Thursday as crews make way for an expanded playground that serves the Boys and Girls Club of the Berkshires' child-care program. The nonprofit purchased the abutting property in 2015, and it has reportedly been out of use since at least 2012.

Last summer, the Historical Commission voted to issue a demolition delay on the property, but it was withdrawn in the fall.

The club offers programs for children ranging from 2 years and 9 months to 5 years old. It also includes a SEED Program for children seeking an extra year before entering kindergarten.

"We believe that all children are special and unique, and develop at their own pace. They should be accepted unconditionally and treated with respect, patience, understanding and fairness. We also believe that play is essential to a young child's growth and development and that children learn by doing; through experimentation and 'hands on' experiences. While here at our Center, we encourage children to believe in and respect themselves and others, work and play cooperatively and have fun," the BGCB Children's Center website reads.

"At the Children's Center, we approach preschool education as a team; parents and teachers working together to ensure a positive experience for all of our children. Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing and educationally stimulating environment where children, supported by dedicated teachers, can grow and thrive in all aspects of their development."

In August 2024, the Historical Commission issued a one-year demolition delay and hoped that the owners would come back with another plan. The more than 75-year-old building had been on the commission's list of endangered properties.

They then had a tour of the building and saw that it needed a significant amount of work.

Rather than having a "yearlong staring contest," the commission begrudgingly withdrew the one-year demolition delay in October 2024, recognizing that the owners were unwilling to save or sell it.

Club officials said saving the building would be a multimillion-dollar endeavor, and they were not willing to put housing in the space because they feel it would pose a risk to children in their programs. They shared sentiments about the former CYC and said this wasn't a light decision.

Tags: demolition,

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Pittsfield Council Revisiting DEI Office Restructure

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
04:11PM / Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The conversation about the DEI office renaming that was halted by a charter objection will resume on Tuesday.

The City Council will discuss a request from Mayor Peter Marchetti to restructure the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

It proposes to rename the DEI office to the Office of Equity, Access, and Opportunity and merge the Human Rights Commission and Affirmative Action Committee into an Equity, Access and Opportunity Commission.

The Ordinance and Rules Subcommittee supported the changes in August, and in September, Ward 2 Councilor Cameron Cunningham delayed the vote with a charter objection.

Pittsfield's City Code prohibits charter states that "if a single member present objects to the taking of the vote, the vote shall be postponed until the next meeting of the city council." It also stipulates that at least four members must object if it is an emergency measure.

Cunningham also submitted a petition, which was referred to O&R under Rule 27, to replace the DEI Office and the Human Rights Commission with an equity, access, and opportunity coordinator in the Department of Community Development, with formal complaints and Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action functions assigned to Human Resources.

At the last meeting, he spent more than an hour querying the mayor and chief diversity officer about functions and effectiveness of the department, wanting more quantitative data. Cunningham proposed an ordinance that he says keeps Pittsfield's commitment to equity, access, and opportunity, "refocuses it on measurable results for our residents, and delivers it at a fraction of the current cost."

Under this petition, the equity, access, and opportunity coordinator would be a $60,000 to $80,000 per year position.

The DEI Office's fiscal year 2027 budget was about $200,000 after cuts during budget season; $106,700 for the chief diversity officer and $58,000 for the administrative assistant. The coordinator would be appointed by the director of community development and the mayor.

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