Pittsfield Nonprofit Asks for Building Permit Forgiveness

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Westside Legends would like a helping hand from the city in the form of fee forgiveness for an upcoming condo project.

The City Council will return from its summer break on Tuesday. Among the nearly 40-item agenda is a petition from the nonprofit requesting a waiver of all building permit fees for "Project Legacy," an affordable first-time homebuyers development.

According to the City Code, new residential construction costs $0.35 per square foot ($150 minimum.)   

The nonprofit plans to build 16 new units on a vacant lot at the corner of Columbus Avenue and South John Street. It says this will meet the need for more affordable housing, be built sustainably, increase the real estate tax base, and provide housing for partner families living and working in the city.

"They increase residential stability in economically challenged neighborhoods through homeownership which will in turn help strengthen the city of Pittsfield as a whole," architect Tessa Kelly wrote in the petition.

The $5.8 million project is in partnership with MassHousing's Commonwealth Builder Program which supports the construction of affordable, deed-restricted homeownership units.

The project was allocated $175,000 of the city's Community Preservation Act funds during the most recent cycle. The total cost of $5,822,200 includes $30,000 for site acquisition, about $1 million in soft costs, and nearly $4.8 million in construction costs. Originally requesting $350,000 in CPA funds, the ask broke down into $80,000 for soft costs and $270,000 for construction.

Planners have also expressed interest in American Rescue Plan Act funds through the Affordable Housing Trust.

"The importance of homeownership, health, and stability was spotlighted during the COVID-19
pandemic," Kelly wrote.

"Now more than ever, affordable homeownership is needed in under-resourced communities like the Westside where neighbors are struggling to afford housing costs, combined with fuel, heating, and food costs."

• $233,940 from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security State 911 Department for the FY25 State 911 Department Support and Incentive program
• $275,000 from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program
• $235,000 from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for the Shared Streets and Spaces program
• $342,810 from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration to fund the design and permit phase of Taxiway A at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport

There is also an order to authorize the city treasurer to borrow a sum not to exceed $308,900 for the design and permitting of Taxiway A at the airport.

Truck Crashes Into Pittsfield's Samel's Deli

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
10:55AM / Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Elm Street will be partially closed as cleanup continues. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Wednesday morning was busy for Pittsfield first responders, as a pickup truck crashed into Samel's Deli & Catering and a fire broke out on First Street.

Around 9:45 a.m., the police reported that the street in front of Samel's Deli & Catering would be closed or down to one lane as a result of a two-car collision that sent the truck careening into the deli.

The department posted two photos on Facebook, one depicting the silver truck with New York license plates crashed through the glass of the front entrance and another of a white Honda CR-V with significant damage to the front end.

"A vehicle was coming out of one of the alleyways here and struck this truck, which continued into the building," Police Officer Craig Jones explained when iBerkshires arrived on the scene.

Jones reported that there was one injury but whether it was someone in the vehicles or in the deli. A crossing signal near Samel's front entrance was also taken out by the truck.

Around this time, crews worked to clear debris in front of the restaurant as the truck was towed away. That section of the road reopened around 11 a.m.

The police, firefighters and an ambulance responded to the accident and police intend to release a statement on the incident.

Around 6:15 a.m., the Fire Department reported that it had responded to a possible structure fire at 233-235 First St. Windows on all three floors of the multi-family building are now broken or boarded up and the cause is under investigation by the Fire Investigation Unit and investigators from the State Fire Marshal's Office.