Berkshires

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THE AIRPORT (Part Six): A noisy debate about more than noise

The debate over Great Barrington Airport's activity and the noise and disturbance it produces has been contentious for decades. Better information and consistent zoning enforcement would help.

By Bill Shein

/ 1 Apr 2023

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THE AIRPORT (Part Five): Helicopter air-ambulance flights are fast, vital, and expensive. How do they work?

According to Fairview Hospital officials, each year around fifteen air-ambulance flights lift off from Great Barrington Airport. Here’s how those flights work—and how they fit into our rural health-care system.

By Bill Shein

/ 22 Mar 2023

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THE AIRPORT (Part Four): Atop a vital aquifer, the airport’s environmental compliance has been spotty. Who’s been watching?

The airport sits atop the only aquifer that supplies much of Great Barrington’s water. It's in a zoning district with strict water-protection rules. Is the town doing enough to monitor its activities?

By Bill Shein

/ 12 Mar 2023

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THE AIRPORT (Part Three): How busy is Great Barrington Airport?

With its level of operations at issue in court and in front of town boards, why has there been so little effort to document what's actually happening at the airport?

By Bill Shein

/ 25 Feb 2023

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THE AIRPORT (Part Two): Rick Solan’s story begins with Robert Wheeler’s in 1929

The complicated present of the Great Barrington Airport is deeply rooted in its equally complicated past.

By Bill Shein

/ 19 Feb 2023

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THE AIRPORT (Part One): It’s not entirely about aviation

As Berkshire Aviation Enterprises goes in front of the Great Barrington Selectboard for the third time seeking release from zoning restrictions, a contentious community discussion is again underway.

By Bill Shein

/ 14 Feb 2023

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THE DEVELOPER (Part Seven): Whose vision, which ideas, and where’s the action plan for housing?

With other similarly challenged communities around the country taking far bolder action on housing, when will Great Barrington and the southern Berkshires do the same?

By Bill Shein

/ 4 Nov 2022

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THE DEVELOPER (Part Six): A different Prospect Lake campground is coming into view. Does it matter whom it’s for?

The century-old Prospect Lake Park campground in Egremont will become an upscale park-model-RV resort. The change was a shock to longtime patrons. The developer says he'll make room for the community.

By Bill Shein

/ 29 Oct 2022

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THE DEVELOPER (Part Five): If nothing else, a pivot to upscale apartments at 343 Main Street made good business sense. Here’s when and how it happened.

As negotiations with the BCC Foundation dragged on and tenants dropped out, the hot real-estate market and an unexpected expense changed the calculus.

By Bill Shein

/ 26 Oct 2022

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THE DEVELOPER (Part Four): A proposed ‘Sustainable Food Lab and Health and Wellness Center’ for 343 Main Street didn’t materialize. What happened?

Plans for culinary training and a health-and-wellness center were scuttled after the town awarded a $250,000 restoration grant. The town committee that recommended the grant has questions.

By Bill Shein

/ 24 Oct 2022

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THE DEVELOPER (Part Three): Ian Rasch is relocating his Mahaiwe Block residential tenants. What should other downtown tenants expect?

Alander Group has offered financial and relocation assistance to a few remaining tenants. What should other downtown tenants expect if their buildings go up for sale?

By Bill Shein

/ 21 Oct 2022

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THE DEVELOPER (Part Two): Alander’s Ian Rasch champions a ‘mixed-income’ downtown. But who’s likely to rent his upscale apartments?

Rasch says his formula for acquisition and redevelopment will help to create a “mixed-income” downtown in Great Barrington. Is he right?

By Bill Shein

/ 20 Oct 2022