Pittsfield leaders met with a Westfield delegation Thursday to discuss how Pittsfield was able to revitalize itself through the arts. Left to right: Nancy Woitkowski, Bob Plasse, Maureen Belliveau, Nanci Salvidio, Pittsfield Mayor David Bianchi, Kate Phelon, Meghan Whilden, and Brent Bean. (Photo by Peter Francis.)
PITTSFIELD – As those who live here know, Westfield is undergoing a renaissaince of sorts, attempting to revitalize it’s downtown and to build a model of sustainability that will last for years to come.
Unfortunately, as the economic downturn the country finds itself in continues to impact western Massachusetts, it has been challenging trying to find a city to model that revitalization after.
Enter Pittsfield, the crown jewel of the Berkshires, a city which is in the midst of an exciting recovery, using the arts to spearhead a mini-revival of their own.
Thursday, a small delegation from Westfield paid a visit to Pittsfield Mayor David Bianchi and the Director of Cultural Development Meghan Whilden at Pittsfield City Hall, to explore how Westfield can incorporate some of the programs that helped the largest city in Berkshire County recover from the exodus of General Electric, an employer who emplyed anywhere from ten to fifteen thousand people in the city prior to their leaving town in the late ’80s and early ’90s.
The Westfield delegation that made the trip was made up of representatives from Westfield State, including Nanci Salvideo, executive assistant to president Evan Dobelle; Bob Plasse, assistant to the president, communications, and the president of Westfield on Weekends; Brent Bean, director of government and community relations and Westfield city councillor At-large; and Nancy Woitkowski, Berkshire liasion for alumni relations; in addition to Maureen Belliveau, executive director of Westfield’s Business Improvement District and Kate Phelon, executive director for The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce.
The meeting served as an icebreaker of sorts, as the Westfield crew received a packet from Whilden illustrating some of the city’s arts programs.
The meeting was also conveniently held on one of the biggest evenings of the Pittsfield calender, as it marked the third Thursday of the month, giving Westfield’s representatives a perfect opportunity to see Pittsfield’s artistic rennaisance first-hand.
Third Thursdays is a program the city has been conducting for several years. The city’s downtown roadways are blocked off, allowing pedestrians to walk the streets and enjoy live entertainment, street vendors and various arts and crafts activities.
The two cities will continue to work together in hopes of helping The Whip City in it’s march to a prosperous future.
