Pittsfield Projects See $1M in Community One Stop Grants
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — City projects were allocated $1 million through the Community One Stop for Growth portal in fiscal year 2027.
This includes hundreds of thousands of dollars for the adaptive reuse of two downtown buildings into apartments: the former St. Joseph's High School and Berkshire County Savings Bank.
Developer David Carver of Scarafoni Associates & CT Management Group plans to convert the former Catholic high school on Maplewood Avenue into 19 units, four of which will be designated affordable. The City of Pittsfield was allocated $500,000 from the Housing Choice Grant Program to support accessibility improvements and elevator installation for the project.
Allegrone Companies saw $350,000 from the Underutilized Properties Program to support interior demolition and remediation for the adaptive reuse of a long-vacant, historic building overlooking Park Square into housing units and commercial space.
Since 2021, the Community One Stop for Growth has distributed more than 1,900 awards totaling more than $1 billion in funding for housing and economic development growth goals in Massachusetts communities.
Pittsfield has received 30 awards, totaling $11.7 million.
Over the summer, Housing Secretary Juana Matias visited the shuttered St. Joe's school that functioned as a shelter during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The then 120-year-old Catholic high school ceased operations in 2017.
The City Council approved a 10-year tax increment exemption agreement that freezes the current property value base, starting at 100 percent forgiveness in the first year, decreasing by 10 percent annually; a local incentive is required to submit an application to the EOHLC.
Allegrone Companies is working to transform the former Berkshire County Savings Bank into the “Residences at Park Square” apartments.
In February, Gov. Maura Healey stood inside 24-34 North St. with Anthony and Louis Allegrone, as the developers described their vision. Healey, that day, had announced state housing initiatives expected to bring more than 1,300 units online, including a Commercial Conversion Tax Credit Initiative.
Allegrone's project is supported by the commercial tax credit and was awarded $1.8 million from the MassWorks Infrastructure Program and $4 million in Housing Development Incentive Program tax credit awards. The City Council also approved a tax increment exemption agreement for the project and redevelopment of the abutting 30-34 North St.
HJG Realty received $150,000 from the Underutilized Properties Program for roof repairs/rehabilitation, window upgrades, masonry restoration, hazardous material abatement, and environmental remediation.
The real estate agency is located at 242 North St., and funding will address critical roof repairs and water infiltration issues that threaten the structural integrity of the building and the continued operation of a ground-floor furniture business. Paul Rich & Sons furniture store is also listed at this address.
