From:
Peter A. Rogers
To:
waterline@newshare.com
Sent:
Monday, November 29, 2004 9:05 PM
Clark
Greylock as Tourist Destination?
To the Webmaster:
Initial
plans for the WACC Clark Greylock facility at Phelps Knoll, announced in
February 2004 press release, included a cafe as well as a "Visitor
Orientation Center providing information to tourists on the cultural and
natural resource opportunities of Northern Berkshire County and Southern
Vermont."
According
to the press release, this would serve as "a new gateway to the wonderful
sites of the Northern Berkshires. With
70 percent of the region's visitors enter the area through the Route 7
corridor, this location provides a unique opportunity as the Clark has a strong
commitment to the promotion of regional tourism to stabilize its economy."
A
later press release announcing the architectural designs, from July 2004, does
not mention this aggressive tourist-promotional component, though stated space
allotments include 2800 sq. ft. of exhibition space, two large porches at 670
sq. ft. each, and 2000 sq. ft. of lobby/store/cafe space.
For
all the concern about potential commercial development along this
corridor, this aspect of the Clark Greylock project represents commercial
development staring us in the face.
Does
a large tourist center, promoting venues well beyond the Clark itself, really
fall into the supposedly "educational" function that the Clark has
used to justify the development of this site?
What
other potentially destructive features would such a tourist-oriented facility
require? Increased signage along Rte.
7? Large paved parking lots for tourist
buses? Additional water/sewage
capacity?
What
changes would have to be made to accommodate the increased traffic/turning
activity associated with such a tourist center on a stretch of road with one of
the worse sight lines in town?
Do
we really need another tourist information center, carefully promoting
the same selection of over-exposed big-ticket venues with a clutter of pamphlets
and brochures, while the small venues continue to languish in the shadows?
Why
should the Clark be granted the role of tourist gatekeeper at this site?
The
alternative NBHS development would alter the Phelps Knoll site as well, but at
least this wouldn't involve the added insult of tourist promotion.
Peter
A. Rogers
34
Luce Road