For Immediate Release
December 11, 2006
Contact: Vanessa Gulati
617-626-1119
COMMONWEALTH AND TOWN OF ADAMS CELEBRATE SIGNING OF
GREYLOCK GLEN PROVISIONAL DEVELOPER DESIGNATION AGREEMENT
ADAMS—Today, in a ceremony at the Discover the Berkshires Adams
Visitor Center, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
(DCR), the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) and the
Town of Adams signed an agreement, designating the Town of Adams as the
Provisional Developer of the Greylock Glen Outdoor Recreation and Environmental
Education Center, adjacent to Mount Greylock State Reservation. The agreement fulfills M.G.L. Chapter 676 of
the Acts of 1985, which authorized DCR’s predecessor agency to develop a
regional economic and recreational facility at Greylock Glen.
“I was very impressed by the development plan that the Town and their collaborators assembled,” said DCR Commissioner Stephen H. Burrington. “The exciting proposal is a fine example of practical sustainable development, and I believe the Town has the necessary qualifications and experience required to realize the vision outlined in the plan.”
The Town's plan for the project, developed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Appalachian Mountain Club, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, includes construction of an environmental education center, a performing arts amphitheater, an environmental arts center, camping and lodging and meeting facilities, and a multi-use trail system with a cross-country ski center. Development will be generally concentrated in a 53-acre area, with approximately 1,000 acres, 94% of the site, permanently protected as conservation land.
Edward MacDonald, Chairman of the Adams Board of Selectmen, noted that implementation of the project is not only important to the town but to the entire northern Berkshire region. “The project will help Adams become a destination for outdoor recreation and environmental education and connect more meaningfully to existing cultural institutions within the Berkshires,” he said.
The Town and DCR will share initial funding for
pre-development design, permitting, and project development expenses, expected
to cost approximately $300,000. During
Phase I, DCR will expend matching funds of up to $3 million to match non-Commonwealth
investment on a one-to-one basis. The
Town will provide non-Commonwealth funding for the project. The project is expected to cost $44 million
in total.
“The Town's proposal represents a creative blending of economic development and recreational opportunities compatible with the unique character of the Mount Greylock region,” said DCAM Commissioner David B. Perini.
“The signing of this agreement is a critical milestone in moving this important project forward,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Robert L. Culver. “The Center will provide significant economic benefits to the Berkshires in a way that stresses environmental awareness and sensitivity of design, development and operation.”
“We're closer and closer to seeing the Greylock Glen
development a reality,” said State Representative Daniel Bosley. “This is very exciting and is the first step
toward many other positive effects the Glen will have on the area and its
tourism and economy, and will tie in with the culture the Berkshires are known
for.”
The Center will be created in phases. Phase I work will include the creation of trails,
outdoor recreation amenities, a campground, outdoor environmental art, maintenance
facilities, infrastructure improvements, and environmental restoration. MassDevelopment
will also restore the water and sewer lines located on Gould Road as part of
Phase I. Phase II will include the
Greylock Glen Art & Nature Center, a Nordic ski center, and the performing
arts amphitheater. Phase III will
include a lodging and meeting facility.
Numerous proposals for the development of Greylock Glen have
been raised in the past 50 years, including casinos, a hotel, a village,
condominiums and golf courses. These
proposals were all ultimately rejected, due to the size of the proposed
projects and concerns over resulting environmental impacts.
A press kit with a copy of the agreement signed, a project summary, a
map of Greylock Glen and more is available upon request.
###