Downtown Pittsfield Inc. Generates Positive Momentum

Progress and Promise

Rebecca Brien was born and raised in Berkshire County and has lived in Pittsfield for the past 30 years, so she knows something about the ebbs and flows of the economy and how that impacts a city and its downtown.

“When an organization like General Electric or a major employer leaves, it does create this gap,” she said, which is why she’s thrilled that 20 new businesses have set up shop downtown over the past two years.

And why she’s equally excited to be managing director of Downtown Pittsfield Inc. (DPI), which has been advocating, convening, and promoting downtown businesses since its launch in 1983.

“We act as a chamber of commerce for downtown. It’s a membership-driven organization; members consist of the usual retailers, restaurants, and cultural and entertainment venues. Nonprofit organizations are welcome, and we work very closely with key property owners downtown as well,” Brien explained.

“We have a vision for as many businesses to join our membership as possible. We have really great diversity downtown, and we want to make sure we welcome as many people as possible and create more foot traffic and a bustling district. Our mission is to strengthen and promote membership through advocacy, collaboration, and celebration.”

The advocacy element means DPI acts as a representative for its members to the city of Pittsfield, speaking to what members want to see downtown. One example has been the parking situation.

“We’ll be announcing, in the next few weeks, meetings to talk about what other changes will best represent what we want the downtown to be — lanes for parking; sidewalks for events and dining; individuals who need more protection, such as bikers or people with motorized scooters — we’ll find what works best for what we want.”

“We worked very closely with membership and City Hall in terms of changing parking along the downtown to be a three-hour limit, which allows for more turnover in parking spaces right on the street,” Brien said. “That’s something that was brought to us by our members. We conducted a survey and brought it to City Hall, and changes have been made. It makes a great difference for retailers when there are open spaces available along North Street.”

DPI also brought a proposal to the city to look at angled parking downtown, but further discussions will be more comprehensive and encompass a fuller plan.

“It prompted the city to go a step further and work with a consultant and talk about many different types of configurations downtown, rather than making a quick decision and a quick paint job,” Brien noted. “We’ll be announcing, in the next few weeks, meetings to talk about what other changes will best represent what we want the downtown to be — lanes for parking; sidewalks for events and dining; individuals who need more protection, such as bikers or people with motorized scooters — we’ll find what works best for what we want.”

Meanwhile, DPI worked with the city on a collaboration called Downtown Blooms, which develops and improves gardens throughout the district. “This program is converting many gardens downtown from annual plantings to perennial beds, and actually saves money for the city.”

First Fridays at Five have featured live music, art, dance, family fun, shopping, food, and entertainment throughout downtown Pittsfield.

But perhaps the most visible aspect of DPI’s work is downtown events, from First Fridays at Five — which spreads art, music, food, family fun, and more across the downtown every month — to First Friday Artwalks, which engage the public with artists and galleries, and Let It Shine!, which is a public art project that has installed almost 20 new murals downtown over the past two years, with funding from MassDevelopment and a host of other local entities. “Last year brought international artists, and we also work with local artists,” Brien said.

In short, DPI seeks to raise the profile of downtown Pittsfield in myriad ways, while supporting businesses both old and new in what she calls “the urban epicenter of Berkshire County.”

Raising All Boats

Downtown Pittsfield Inc. is a lean operation; Brien is the only full-time staffer, and she’s assisted by two part-timers, Marketing Coordinator Kimberly Gritman and Executive Administrator Arri Better.

“So we’re very lucky to have 25 board members and our downtown stakeholders that can help us in terms of programming activities and making connections,” Brien noted. “In terms of hands-on staff, we’re very small.”

The organization has worked with the Pittsfield Cultural Assoc., municipal departments, and other entities on events and programming, and, as noted, there’s quite a lot of both.

Brien came on board DPI two and a half years ago — an exciting time, in some ways.

Rebecca Brien

“There’s a lot of work going on and a lot of partners to work with.”

“Coming out of the pandemic, there was a lot of funding,” she said, noting initiatives like the American Rescue Plan Act and a program of DPI and the Pittsfield Economic Revitalization Corp. (PERC) called Glow Up! whereby businesses and property owners are awarded grants up to $10,000 for signs, painting, lighting, and improvements to their entryways.

This past spring, the second round of grant recipients was announced, including Angelina’s Submarine Shop, Berkshire Pipe & Tabacco, Clark Vintage Lighting, Independent Mobility, Phoenix Theatres, Hotel on North, Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort, Pittsfield Health Food Store, Soda Chef, Thistle and Mirth, and the owners of the Brothership Building and the Dunham Block.

Recipients are selected using a grading system that ranks their responses on how COVID-19 impacted their business, the details of the projects to be funded by the grant, and on the impact the projects would make on their space.

Meanwhile, the Berkshire Black Economic Council introduced VIBE grants for new businesses last summer — the first four recipients were Guelce Collaborative Marketing, BB’s Hot Spot LLC, Dolce Rose Beauty Supply, and Brazzucas — while PERC and MassDevelopment funded Boost! North Street, which supports local businesses through competitive grants and professional consulting. The initial cohort includes ASTScuba/Aquatic Roots, Berkshire International Market, Clark Vintage Lighting, Dottie’s Coffee Lounge/Dorothy’s Estaminet, Empire Pizza, Espetinho Carioca, Methuselah Bar and Lounge, Otto’s Kitchen and Comfort, Placita Latina Restaurant and Market, Steven Valenti Clothing, Tito’s Mexican Bar and Grill, and Witch Slapped.

“It’s made for a wonderful period to come in. There’s a lot of work going on and a lot of partners to work with,” Brien said, adding that Chuck Leach, president of Lee Bank and the newest DPI board president, sees the potential as well. “He’s not a resident of Pittsfield, but he recognizes the importance of Pittsfield to the community, and Lee Bank has made major investments in building downtown and really bringing it to the next level.”

Berkshire Museum is a key cultural driver downtown, with activities and exhibits for the whole family.

But Downtown Pittsfield Inc. also has its eye on issues like public safety and social services. “The thing about Pittsfield is, although we’re a tourist area, we’re also a major epicenter in terms of urban services,” she noted, which is why a healthy city isn’t just about arts, events and recreation, but good jobs and easily accessed supports for those who struggle with housing insecurity, food insecurity, and health and mental issues.

“The biggest thing now is how to maintain the momentum,” she went on. “It has to do with our community partners realizing where we are economically and where people are at, and make sure places like food pantries are well-staffed and well-supported.”

Creating a Framework

While helping the city move ahead in many ways, DPI also recently relocated its office to the heart of downtown, at 431 North St., former home of Jan Perry Realty, hosting a ribbon cutting and open house on Sept. 15. DPI is also managing the Framework co-working space at 437 North St., offering rentals of semi-private offices, a classroom, and a boardroom to DPI members and the public.

“We’re also able to offer classes on things like how to better market your own business and how to do collaborative marketing with other members. We have such great offerings, and we want to make sure people know about it,” Brien said, adding that Downtown Pittsfield Inc. also hosts quarterly meetings with Mayor Peter Marchetti.

All these collaborations and connections have generated positive vibes, which Brien appreciates, even though she knows there’s always work to do.

“I’ve had people stop me on the street regularly and tell me things are wonderful. We’ve had letters to the editor about how great things are looking. For our July 4th parade this year, our downtown had never looked better,” she said. “But we recognize there are things that every small town or large city are struggling with right now, and we recognize that changes are needed, even small increments at a time.

“But I really believe this upcoming year will be our best year ever,” she added, encouraging residents to not only check out the the improvements and events, but to talk them up, as a way to change the narrative around downtown and keep the momentum going. “That’s what I would recommend for every community at this time.”