PITTSFIELD, Mass. — An innovation district could be a solution to marketing the William Stanley Business Park, planners say.

This would ideally transform the site into an "amenity-rich enclave" that fosters open innovation through formal and informal interactions.

On Thursday, consultant Adina Astor gave the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority what the area could look like as an innovation district and how it could further economic growth.  

"We had a meeting in here about a year ago with MassDevelopment and they were talking about how can we help the (Berkshire Innovation Center) market this property and help out with economic development in the area," Business Development Manager Michael Coakley said.

"Someone came up with the idea of an innovation district, it’s been done in some other areas."

Astor was hired by MassDevelopment to see if the idea would be plausible and began work over the summer.

She explained that the innovation district is an idea that had developed over the last few decades as a way to combine work that focuses on building an innovation ecosystem by being intentional about the kinds of collaborators that are at the table, the way that funding is put together, and the mix of uses.

"it could be several blocks, it could be a square mile or two, and the idea is that it takes dense development that has multiple uses and different kinds of people, different kinds of activities happening that all go together," she added.

"So really, the idea is it's dynamic, it's concentrated, and it's creating these virtuous benefits."

Typically an ID will have a specific boundary and is governed by the organizations within, industry strategy, real estate strategy, program strategy, and supporting elements.

"It's typically not a single industry but it's really this idea that says each place has a set of clusters, a set of sub-sectors that are most relevant and attractive and really high potential for growth," Astor explained.

"And so picking what those are and then really focusing on how do we build this? What resources are needed to support these industries? What kinds of funding might be available to catalyze that? etc. So thinking about the industry as a key governing principle for how to organize."

The blueprint of the district could include zones for different sectors, expansions throughout the Tyler Street corridor, and paths to connect to the rail trail.

The ID would need a leadership board and could have a hybrid funding model, Astor explained.

If many smaller purchases are made on the parcels there could be an owners association, if there are large purchases it could be a joint effort, and the district could also raise money and acquire the whole site.

"We're not recommending a particular outcome," Astor said. "We’re just saying there is a full range of ways this could evolve and we can think about the different ways to work together under any scenario."

PEDA members raised some concerns about the proposal such as the work involved in creating the district, and Pittsfield's accessibility issues from the highway.

The next step is to take feedback gathered thus far and create a concept document that incorporates it along with ideas about how the ID could be advanced in 2024.

Also during the meeting it was reported that bids have been gathered for the redevelopment of Site 9, the largest parcel.  About 14 companies inquired about the bids due on Thursday and they were reviewed on Friday.

The $9.5 million contract will be awarded in January.
 

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