The Historical Commission approved the demolition of this Wahconah Street property to make way for a new Head Start building.

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Berkshire County Head Start plans to demolish a Wahconah Street building and construct an early child-care facility near the people it serves.

Last week the Historical Commission OK'd the demolition of 224 Wahconah St. The approval is contingent upon a letter of support from the owner, as the child-care agency is under contract and has not closed on the property yet.

Director of Finance and Chief Financial Officer Hunter McCormick explained that this is in the beginning stages of a lengthy process because federal dollars will fund the project.

"In addition to all of the proper procedures to meet all the city of Pittsfield requirements with the various entities and agencies, we are in the process of preparing what's called a 1303 application for the office of Head Start, which is a request for federal funds to fund the complete project," he said during the virtual meeting.

"Which would start with a teardown of the existing building and then the construction of an early child-care facility at that location."

The location is optimal for program purposes because of its proximity to several housing entities, McCormick said, and would provide easy access for families in the primary market.

Head Start offers an evidence-based preschool curriculum for ages 2.9 to 5 years as well as family advocates who provide support through home visits and connection with other resources.

The building is more than 120 years old and according to Zillow is being sold as is for $70,000.

"Currently being used as storage but could be converted to [apartments], offices and/or retail. Property is in need of full renovation/rehab," the listing reads.

A narrative provided to the commission demonstrated the long history of the property but nothing of particular historical significance.

Head Start leases three other properties in Pittsfield but does not own any. It has program sites at Conte Community School, Taconic High School and at the former Sacred Heart School.

The agency is under contract for the Wahconah Street property pending the 1303 application.

It has not yet been determined if this build will be in addition to other sites or a replacement.  

"We are continually evaluating kind of the needs in the community, where specifically our program should exist, where our primary market share needs are," McCormick said.

"We do an annual community assessment and that tends to inform our long-range strategic plan about where we need to have program sites, both within the city of Pittsfield as well as throughout the county."

Head Start is working with Hill Engineers to manage the scale and scope of the project. A phase one environmental assessment is in the works and they will need to engage the Conservation Commission because the plan is to purchase an adjoining parcel within the floodplain.

Across the street, the former Pilgrim Memorial Church is for sale for about $140,000, according to Zillow. Chair John Dickson asked if the agency had considered this as an option for renovation into a facility.

"It wouldn't meet our needs very well and the cost, similar to the 224 Wahconah St. location, the cost to take the existing building and update it to what would be required, both by by federal statute as well as Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care is more prohibitive than, believe it or not, the cost of demolishing a building and rebuilding to meet the specs," McCormick explained.

Before motioning for approval, the commission looked into its ordinance to see if support from the current owner was required. To be on the safe side, the approval was contingent upon receiving a letter from the owner.

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