Ads for City of Pittsfield in Pittsfield, MA

City of Pittsfield Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain To: All interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals This is to give notice that the City of Pittsfield under 24 CFR Part 58 has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order(s) 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection. The activity is funded by a FY2023 Economic Development Initiative - Community Project Funding HUD grant number B-23-CP-MA-0669. The proposed project(s) is located at the Wahconah Baseball Stadium at 105 Wahconah Street in the City of Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Massachusettsand is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using the 0.2 percent flood approach. The project involves demolition of the Wahconah Park baseball grandstand. The historic grandstand and clubhouse structure as well as the building slabs and foundations will be demolished and removed. Associated structures including sheds, benches, and fencing will be removed from the site. The structures are located within the 500-year or 0.2% floodplain (FFRMS) for the west branch of the Housatonic River. Existing structures will be removed and documented to account for the increased compensatory storage. Removal of the structure will reduce negative impacts of development on the intrinsic values the floodplain. The overall footprint of the ballpark is approximately 4 acres, all of which are located within the FFRMS, the footprint of the structures to be removed total approximately 20,000 square feet. The City of Pittsfield has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial functions and intrinsic values of the existing floodplain/wetland:Due to the nature of the activity involving the removal of an existing structure it is not possible to relocate this activity outside of the FFRMS floodplain. A no-action alternative was considered but as it would allow a condemned structure to continue, leave the ballpark unusable, and prevent future construction the no-action alternative was rejected. The removal action will be conducted in accordance with best practices to minimize impacts on surrounding resource areas and will be performed in conformance with the Order Of Conditions issued by the Pittsfield Conservation Commission in December of 2025 under the Massachusetts Wetland's Protection Act. The City of Pittsfield has reevaluated alternatives to conducting this activity in the floodplain and has determined that it has no practicable alternative to performing this activity in the FFMRS floodplain. Environmental files documenting compliance with Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, are available for public inspection, review and copying upon request at the times and location delineated in the last paragraph of this notice for receipt of comments. There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in a floodplain and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplain can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in a floodplain, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by The City of Pittsfield at the following address on or before February 4, 2026: City of Pittsfield, Department of Community Development, 70 Allen Street, Room 205 and (413) 499-9358. Attention: Nate Joyner, Community Development Program Manager. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM at Pittsfield City Hall, Department of Community Development, 70 Allen Street, Room 205. Comments may also be submitted via email at njoyner@cityofpittsfield.org. Ad# 99765 01/27/2026