NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Mayor Richard Alcombright expressed confidence that the city is emerging from its long downturn over the past decade.
Declaring "growth will be our savior," the mayor in his State of the City address on Tuesday said it was imperative the city court growth by engaging with the major developers arriving on the scene.
"On the economic development front, we have seen more private and public sector investment over the past two years than we have seen in decades," he said. "Investment that will help grow our economy, add to and aid in stabilizing our tax base and enhance this new 'cultural corridor' that is rapidly growing in this city and region.
"Over the next six months, we will continue working with private investors and government partners to finalize and put into play much of what is happening."
He referred to nearly $150 million in investment in the city at various stages of design and completion. Among those investments is the completion of $30 million Colegrove Park Elementary School, despite being a few months late, and the projects started at the Greylock Mill and Redwood Motel and the designs for a model railroad museum at Western Heritage State Park and for-profit art museum on the Route 2 "cultural corridor."
Alcombright said he anticipates bringing forward land and tax agreements to City Council as the city's share to support the millions in private investment.
"The need to support private investment by providing smart and measured short-term tax incentives to projects that promote and promise significant future growth in our tax base is a must," he said, adding the city has to stop playing politics and look the long term to succeed.
The Berkshire Scenic Railway is finally cleared to begin regular rides between North Adams and Adams and Harriman & West Airport is getting a $3 million administrative building at no cost to the city. And with a new president installed at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, he hopes to resume conversations with the college on the best way to reuse the Mohawk Theater.
He also pointed to a far improved fiscal situation and a drop in the unemployment rate from 9.8 percent in 2010 to 6.6 percent.
Over those years, a $2.3 million structural deficit as been zeroed out and the city may actually end fiscal 2016 in the black and with $1.5 million in reserves.
Alcombright said he hasn't turned a blind eye to what the city's lost, specifically North Adams Regional Hospital, but has been encouraged by the investment and expansion of services there by Berkshire Health Systems.
North Adams is also dealing with a crumbling infrastructure and the mayor said he will be bringing a capital improvement plan to the City Council at its next meeting. The study, by the Collins Institute, identifies capital needs for roads, sewers, bridges, water, buildings, retaining walls, equipment, technology and more.
The most immediate needs are the public safety building, which has been identified in the U.S. Department of Justice decree as being out of compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, and the Department of Public Works building.
To raise capital, the mayor is proposing to sell the Windsor Mill, Notre Dame Church and School and the now empty Sullivan School
"What can those funds be used for? My hope is that proceeds can be used to offset costs of capital projects while putting these buildings in the hands of private investment that will create jobs and pay taxes," he said.
Some may roll their eyes at the idea of dog parks or murals, but Alcombright sees a growing vibrancy and engagement in the city, and a strong sense of community.
"We have our struggles for certain and I do see the issues in front of us such as people who are unemployed or under-employed, folks working two and three jobs to pay their bills, elders struggling to stay in their homes and families dealing with the pains of addiction," he said.
"I see a new vibrancy that is being generated by so many folks who are simply engaged. Whether at our UNO Center, planning a fun event, running into hundreds of happy faces at Winterfest, seeing our veterans every day keeping our city clean, planning disc golf at the lake or simply bringing the kids to a new playground.
"People in my travels seem happy."
In other business:
• Officers Joshua Tracy and Nicholas Penna were sworn in a permanent officers in the North Adams Police Department by City Clerk Marilyn Gomeau. Their badges were pinned on by Alcombright and they were congratulated by Police Director Michael Cozzaglio and the department's second shift.
Both are military veterans and completed the police academy. They have been on the force as reserve officers. Alcombright thanked them for their courage and commitment on behalf of the city.
• The council gave final approval to the new Rules of Order that will take affect at the next meeting and a new compensation plan for firefighters of a 1 percent raise retroactive to July 1, 2015, and 1 percent for fiscal 2017.
• Todd E. Piumley of Hall Street was approved to drive a taxi for R.J. Taxi.
• Councilors Ronald Boucher, Benjamin Lamb and Kate Merrigan were absent.
northadams.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
MEMBER SIGN IN
