About Us
Formed in 2014, the Downtown Adams Group is an advocacy group of retailers, restaurateurs, artists, owners and developers with an aim to increase downtown economic development and create a downtown growth and revitalization plan. Consisting of 18 active members the group is focusing on three themes for 2017 and 2018 - Opening doors for business; Pop-up stores and windows; and a variety of outreach and marketing ideas as well as developing a downtown growth plan.
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In the News
2016-07-18 North County Economic Forum Looks at Opportunities 2015-12-30 Adams Civic Groups Bring Life to Park Street 2014-09-03 Adams Group Begins Conversation on Town Revitalization |
WHAT HAVE WE DONE SO FAR?
+ Two Pop-up Holiday Marketplaces opened in December 2017.
+ Seven Local Businesses assisted at start-up phase.
+ Six Real Estate Developments assisted in making $800,000 in construction cost savings.
+ Providing assistance to bring $4 million in economic development to Adams.
+ Pop Up Windows 2016 and 2017.
+ Holiday Marketplaces 2017
The Downtown Group, with help of the Building Owners and a group of volunteers opened two storefronts at 47 Park Street and 86 Summer Street for the month of December. These pop-up holiday stores featured a range of local products.
+ Two Pop-up Holiday Marketplaces opened in December 2017.
+ Seven Local Businesses assisted at start-up phase.
+ Six Real Estate Developments assisted in making $800,000 in construction cost savings.
+ Providing assistance to bring $4 million in economic development to Adams.
+ Pop Up Windows 2016 and 2017.
+ Holiday Marketplaces 2017
The Downtown Group, with help of the Building Owners and a group of volunteers opened two storefronts at 47 Park Street and 86 Summer Street for the month of December. These pop-up holiday stores featured a range of local products.
+ Pop-up Windows in 2016 and 2017
The Adams Arts Advisory Board (with a little help from the Downtown group) installed pop-up windows throughout the town. All have been well received - iBerkshires News Article - Adams Civic Groups Bring Life to Park Street
The Adams Arts Advisory Board (with a little help from the Downtown group) installed pop-up windows throughout the town. All have been well received - iBerkshires News Article - Adams Civic Groups Bring Life to Park Street
+ Marketing and Outreach
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You'll likely see us at the major fairs in Adams such as The Berkshire Mountain Faerie Festival held in June and Hi Jinx held in July. Look out for us at the Adams Agricultural Fair this August.
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WHO WE ARE
Dave Bissaillon:
Is an Account Executive at a local insurance agency and has over 20 years’ experience in the industry. He is a former President and CEO of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and current Board member of the ProAdams Group.
Nathan Girard
Is an accomplished Massachusetts licensed real estate broker, real estate developer, and real estate investor. He has sold over $25 Million of property in Berkshire County. He renovated and co-owns a gastro-pub restaurant - The Adams Ale House.
Pat Fietta
Is a graphic design graduate from Parsons School of Design and painter from UC Berkeley, CA. Art Director at Doubleday, NYC; McGraw-Hill, Chicago and San Francisco, Manager/Curator of Lyon C. Courthouse Gallery and Director of Programming at Dini Theater in Nevada. Owner of Fietta Creative Design and currently developing 13½ Grove St.
William F. Kolis Jr.:
An Adams native and owner of the Firehouse, he holds a senior status position with Wickens, Herzer, Panza, Cook & Batista (Avon, Ohio) and has practiced for 35 years in the areas of media law, intellectual property, environmental law, and all forms of commercial litigation.
George LeMaitre:
Currently developing 13½ Grove St.; Licensed General Contractor in California and Massachusetts; and was Project Manager for the renovation of a grade school to a theater; Member of the City of Yerington Planning Department; Board Member Nevada State Tourism representing Rural Nevada.
Michael Mach:
is a member of Adams’ Zoning Board of Appeals, Capital Improvement Planning Commission and currently a Town Meeting Member. A lifelong resident of Adams dedicated to the developing the Town's economic and social structure.
Steve Melito:
Is the founder and owner of Thunderbolt Business Services and an award-winning technical writer focusing on manufacturing, material science and homeland security. Thunderbolt Business Services is a content development agency whose clients include small-to-medium manufacturers across North America.
Francie Anne Riley:
Has worked in the New York theater industry for over 25 years, back stage, on stage, and front of house. Her work in voice overs led to a national add, an audio book, numerous recorded books for the blind, medical and technical narrations. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers. Owner of a new studio and gallery at 71 Park Street.
Bill Riley:
An Adams native and UMass Amherst BFA graduate. Has 30 years experience working in the television, film and theater industries in New York City. Responsible for painting and back drops at the Showman Fabricators, culminating at the Metropolitan Opera. Owner of a new studio and gallery at 71 Park Street.
Gail Kolis Sellers:
Dave Bissaillon:
Is an Account Executive at a local insurance agency and has over 20 years’ experience in the industry. He is a former President and CEO of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and current Board member of the ProAdams Group.
Nathan Girard
Is an accomplished Massachusetts licensed real estate broker, real estate developer, and real estate investor. He has sold over $25 Million of property in Berkshire County. He renovated and co-owns a gastro-pub restaurant - The Adams Ale House.
Pat Fietta
Is a graphic design graduate from Parsons School of Design and painter from UC Berkeley, CA. Art Director at Doubleday, NYC; McGraw-Hill, Chicago and San Francisco, Manager/Curator of Lyon C. Courthouse Gallery and Director of Programming at Dini Theater in Nevada. Owner of Fietta Creative Design and currently developing 13½ Grove St.
William F. Kolis Jr.:
An Adams native and owner of the Firehouse, he holds a senior status position with Wickens, Herzer, Panza, Cook & Batista (Avon, Ohio) and has practiced for 35 years in the areas of media law, intellectual property, environmental law, and all forms of commercial litigation.
George LeMaitre:
Currently developing 13½ Grove St.; Licensed General Contractor in California and Massachusetts; and was Project Manager for the renovation of a grade school to a theater; Member of the City of Yerington Planning Department; Board Member Nevada State Tourism representing Rural Nevada.
Michael Mach:
is a member of Adams’ Zoning Board of Appeals, Capital Improvement Planning Commission and currently a Town Meeting Member. A lifelong resident of Adams dedicated to the developing the Town's economic and social structure.
Steve Melito:
Is the founder and owner of Thunderbolt Business Services and an award-winning technical writer focusing on manufacturing, material science and homeland security. Thunderbolt Business Services is a content development agency whose clients include small-to-medium manufacturers across North America.
Francie Anne Riley:
Has worked in the New York theater industry for over 25 years, back stage, on stage, and front of house. Her work in voice overs led to a national add, an audio book, numerous recorded books for the blind, medical and technical narrations. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers. Owner of a new studio and gallery at 71 Park Street.
Bill Riley:
An Adams native and UMass Amherst BFA graduate. Has 30 years experience working in the television, film and theater industries in New York City. Responsible for painting and back drops at the Showman Fabricators, culminating at the Metropolitan Opera. Owner of a new studio and gallery at 71 Park Street.
Gail Kolis Sellers:
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An Adams native who taught Art for 30 years in the middle school and worked on curriculum and project development in the arts for both children and adults. Co-owner of River Hill Pottery for the past 35 years. Their pottery has been in numerous books.
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Phil Sellers:
Kansas City Art Institute graduate in Painting and printmaking and co-owner of River Hill Pottery for the past 35 years. Founder and Director of North Adam's Art About Town, serves on the Mass Moca Commission, Chairman of North Adams Open studios and President of the Eclipse Mill Condo Board.
Holly Stenson:
Is the developer of the Mausert Block in Adams and has developed numerous buildings in North Berkshires since 2006. She has 10 years architectural experience on retail, hospitality, science labs, office high rise projects in Boston. Previously she worked for 15 years in the service and management areas of the hospitality industry. She is also a LEED Certified Professional and licensed moderate risk de-leader.
Stephen Stenson:
Is the developer of the Mausert Block in Adams and has developed numerous buildings in North Berkshires since 2006. He was an Architect for 25 years overseeing the design and construction of projects in NYC, Boston, London and Abu Dhabi. He is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and BBC Alumni. He has degrees in architecture, marketing and a MBA.
Richard Tavelli:
Kansas City Art Institute graduate in Painting and printmaking and co-owner of River Hill Pottery for the past 35 years. Founder and Director of North Adam's Art About Town, serves on the Mass Moca Commission, Chairman of North Adams Open studios and President of the Eclipse Mill Condo Board.
Holly Stenson:
Is the developer of the Mausert Block in Adams and has developed numerous buildings in North Berkshires since 2006. She has 10 years architectural experience on retail, hospitality, science labs, office high rise projects in Boston. Previously she worked for 15 years in the service and management areas of the hospitality industry. She is also a LEED Certified Professional and licensed moderate risk de-leader.
Stephen Stenson:
Is the developer of the Mausert Block in Adams and has developed numerous buildings in North Berkshires since 2006. He was an Architect for 25 years overseeing the design and construction of projects in NYC, Boston, London and Abu Dhabi. He is a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects and BBC Alumni. He has degrees in architecture, marketing and a MBA.
Richard Tavelli:
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38 years’ total experience - Ten years’ experience in international mergers and acquisitions; twelve years’ experience managing the turnaround of distressed early stage entrepreneurial ventures; four years professional counseling of MBA graduates in entrepreneurial startups; twelve years managing corporate energy and environmental projects.
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Opening Doors for Business
2018 represents the best opportunity to reverse a generational trend that has saw no major downtown development since 1987. There is the potential for 11 new businesses and arts related developments with over $4 million in private investment planned. Click on this link - Development Projects for more details or view the slide show below. It is essential to identify any obstacle and advocate necessary actions to open the doors for these businesses in addition to keeping the existing businesses open. A successful 2016 may realize other potential development opportunities -
Previous Developments (Public and Private) Potential Developments (Private) |
Zoning - 40R
The group researched and advocated to prevent a proposing re-zoning of the downtown area to allow for 40R "Smart growth". 40R Zoning would be a disaster for the Town, is not a tool for economic development or revitalization. 40R is a trojan horse that will devastate the character of downtown. In addition 40R will -
What you should know about 40R Trojan horse - reducing house values iBerkshires article on 40R Zoning proposal (Oct 14, 2015) State Information on 40R |
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How else we can help
Not only are we developing a downtown pan but we can provide assistance in a variety of other ways including: Pop-Up Stores "Pop up 2018" is probably the most exciting private sector development initiative in Adams in the last 50 years. The goal is to bring to fruition in 2018 as much as $4 Million of economic development in Downtown Adams. (click here for more info) Starting a Business in Adams Whether your business experience level, you can benefit tremendously by seeking out appropriate sources of help and information. We offer relevant links as a starting point in assessing / implementing / improving a business investment opportunity in Adams. (click here for more info) Business Advocacy Team The BAT team provides free advice on business plans, legal, zoning, building code, financial, design, real estate, and marketing issues Consisting of professional advisers with decades of experience, with one aim - To help as many businesses in Downtown Adams open and thrive. (click here for more info) Downtown Revitalization Plan for Growth Working with a variety of local organizations the group is developing a Downtown Revitalization Plan for Growth. The intent is to visually improve the downtown, identify key economic development projects, solve the impediments to growing business, and provide business awareness workshops in downtown Adams with plan implementation within one to two-years. (Click here for more info) |
Why Adams?
The downtown has over 100 retail destinations including 17 Restaurants, 10 cultural venues, 3 Boutique Hotels, 9 Buildings on the Historic Register, 10 drinking establishments, 24 retail, and 23 business service storefronts. There is even 1,750 parking spaces. With 44 vacancies and rents approximately half the cost of North Adams and even lower than Williamstown and Pittsfield the Downtown is by far the best place to start your business. Contact us
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