Marchetti Details Vacancies, New Efforts in Downtown Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The downtown has 20 commercial vacancies, and 16 have been empty for more than a year.
On Monday, Mayor Peter Marchetti gave an update on the occupancy levels of commercial spaces in the corridor and the city's strategies to recruit and retain local businesses.
"I know when we talk about the downtown, we always talk about the vacancy rates, and I think one of the pieces that we need to do a better job is advertising and blowing our own horn about the businesses," he told the subcommittee on community and economic development.
"And so you can see the list of 25 new businesses that have opened up in the downtown since January of 2024, and some of the cases, there's been some moving pieces, but I think we also need to celebrate the work that's happening in the downtown with the new businesses that we have opened."
In 2021, Downtown Pittsfield Inc. indicated there were 160 storefronts and 540 total businesses in the downtown area.
The four properties that have been vacant for one year or less include the former scuba store at 369 North St., Placita Latina Salvadoran & Mexican cuisine, which moved from 41 North to Wendell Avenue Extension, and the former Dottie's Coffee Lounge at 444 North.
Marchetti reported hearing "rumblings" that Dottie's may reopen. In the last couple of days, the eatery suggested an upcoming announcement and sought weekend baristas on its Facebook page.
Seven downtown properties have been vacant for more than one year, two properties have been vacant for more than two years, and seven have been vacant for more than three years.
This includes the former That's A Wrap at 132 Fenn St., the former Spot at 38 North, and the building next to Walgreens, all vacant for more than three years.
The mayor explained, "We wanted to take a comprehensive look at all the things that have been happening in the downtown to kind of talk about our strategies and where we've been."
He reported that the city is working with Downtown Pittsfield Inc. and MassDevelopment's Transformative Development Initiative to establish a Business Improvement District within the downtown. A BID is a locally established, geographic area where property owners pay a fee for additional services such as enhanced sanitation, security, marketing, and public space improvements.
"These are in its earliest stages, and we are relying on the consultants from TDI to help us through those conversations," Marchetti said.
"But we believe there could be a perfect fit with the stakeholders that are interested right now in creating a BID, and that BID can help supplement some of the services that the city of Pittsfield's tax dollars can't handle."
Marchetti summarized initiatives between the city, DPI, and TDI, including the Let It Shine mural project, Dunham Mall improvements, and the Pearl Ambassador Program.
"The city has put forth $835,500 to leverage development projects, with the city and MassDevelopment in the TDI district totaling $35,470,418," he reported, adding that some of the funds came from Underutilized Properties, the Housing Development Incentive Program, the American Rescue Plan Act, and Community Development Block Grants.
Representatives also spoke to a handful of businesses during a walking tour of downtown, and Marchetti said they are holding quarterly meetings with the downtown business stakeholders, business owners, and DPI.
Several partners were also highlighted: Berkshire Black Economic Council, Blackshires Community Empowerment Foundation, Entrepreneurship For All (EforAll), Massachusetts Small Business Development Center, and the Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corp.
The update was requested by Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey and Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi, chair and vice chair, respectively, of the subcommittee.
Kavey explained that they wanted to create a conversation about the good things happening in downtown, adding, "and I know that it says commercial vacancy. I think that in order for us to have a clear picture of what's going on, it's important for us to see all the data points."
Lampiasi added that there is confusion about what is happening downtown, and agreed it is important to remember where the city is succeeding with new businesses. She found the possibility of a BID "really exciting" and has considered how Pittsfield can channel its focus and bring the business community together to improve the downtown.
"It is just as important to outline and identify the buildings that seem stuck and stagnant, and we can do the hard work of figuring out why that is true and what we can do as a community, as a government to help move them forward," she said.
Tags: commercial development, downtown, Downtown Pittsfield, North Street, vacancy,
