Press Releases

Today, Congressman Richard E. Neal joined Pittsfield Mayor Linda M. Tyer and city officials to announce a $3,000,000 earmark to renovate the grandstand at Wahconah Park.

The allocation was made possible through Congressionally Direct Spending (CDS) from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Congressman Nealincluded funding for this project in the Fiscal Year 2023 spending bill that was signed into law on December 29, 2022.

“Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Wahconah Park is a true gem in the City of Pittsfield, one where countless memories have been made over the course of generations. Maintaining this historic park and the sense of tradition that comes with it is of great importance to the Berkshires, which is why I am proud to have procured $3 million to make this project a reality,” said Congressman Neal. “Congress has the fundamental responsibility to oversee the expenditure of the public purse, and this investment is one that I believe will be of great service to the Berkshire community and regional economy.”

“I am grateful for Congressman Neal’s support towards one of Pittsfield’s longstanding treasures. We now have access to resources that will enrich the visitor experience for both present and future generations to come,” said Mayor Linda M. Tyer.

A recent structural evaluation of the ballpark’s grandstand revealed significant concerns with the structural steel system under the grandstand, making it unusable in its current condition. The improvement project will rebuild the grandstand and bring it into compliance with modern building codes, enhance the fan and operator experience, and preserve the character-defining elements that have made this historic park a beloved sports and entertainment venue for generations.

Under guidelines issued by the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, members of Congress requested CDS funding for projects in their state for Fiscal Year 2023. CDS requests were restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments, and eligible non-profit entities, were permitted to receive CDS funding.

This project is one of fifteen CDS projects submitted by Congressman Neal, totaling over $20 million in investments throughout the First Congressional District of Massachusetts.