About Us

Mission Statement

The mission of Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. is to foster the on-going growth and vitality of downtown through vision, leadership and advocacy and to position downtown as the creative and business hub of the Berkshires for the benefit of all.

Who Are We?

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. is an association of businesses, downtown property owners, residents, cultural and non-profit organizations joining forces to increase economic activity through promoting downtown as a great place to do business, obtain professional services, shop, dine, work, live, attend events, and enjoy recreational activities.

Background Information:

Since 1983, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (DPI) has been the recognized leader, facilitator and principal advocate for downtown. DPI has developed strategies and programs, mobilizing resources resulting in a creative, lively, sustainable environment.

It has grown in recent years to include the growing number of downtown cultural organizations, entertainment venues and restaurants that have helped transform downtown. It has also developed a close partnership with City departments that has led to major streetscape projects, parking improvements, and marketing efforts.

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. carried out a strategic plan in 2010 that outlined a series of priorities for the organization. It established Board Committees to help carry out these goals.  They include Business Improvement, Marketing and Promotion, Quality of Life, Arts and Entertainment, Executive Committee, and a Special Events Task Force.  The Committees are open to both Board and non-Board members. Please click here to learn more about Downtown Pittsfield Inc. committees.

Current Organization Objectives

  1. Identify and recruit new businesses for downtown and help retain existing businesses.
  2. Create smaller commercial sub-districts to enable more effective planning and marketing.
  3. Develop and carry out on-going marketing and promotion efforts for residents and visitors that benefit downtown businesses and solidify downtown’s identity as the center of activity in BerkshireCounty.
  4. Improve downtown’s appearance, convenience and safety working with downtown businesses and property owners and City departments.
  5. Increase the presence and visibility of the arts, arts businesses and cultural organizations in downtown and help facilitate more partnerships and coordinated events

Board of Directors:

PRESIDENT: Robert A. Proskin (BBE Office Interiors)
VICE PRESIDENT: Valerie Whaling (Whaling Properties, LLC)
TREASURER: Christine Burke (Berkshire Housing Development Corp)
CLERK: Kate Maguire  (The Berkshire Theatre Festival & The Colonial Theatre)
VICE PRESIDENT OF ADMINISTRATION: John Valente (The Beacon Cinema)

James Benson (Mission Bar + Tapas)
David Carver (Scarafoni Associates)
Lou Costi (Wholesale Auto)
Warren C. Dews, Jr. (The Berkshire Eagle)
Gordon G. Dinsmore, Jr. (Berkshire Life/Guardian)
Jeffrey Doscher (Berkshire Community College)
Jesse Cook Dubin (Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook)
Elie Hammerling (Downtown Pittsfield Resident)
Randy Kinnas (Pittsfield YMCA)
Peter J. Lafayette (Berkshire Bank Foundation)
Michael R. Lipton (Lipton Energy)
Peter M. Marchetti (Pittsfield Cooperative Bank)
June Roy Martin (Quality Printing)
Robert Maxwell (Greylock Federal Credit Union)
Mary McGinnis (Mary’s Carrot Cake)
Christopher Mills (General Dynamics)
David N. Powell (Patrick’s Pub)
Ian Rasch (Allegrone Construction)
Pamela Rich (Paul Rich & Sons)
Donna Todd-Rivers (Bisque, Beads & beyond)
Thomas J. Romeo (Berkshire Health Systems)
Laura Roudabush (Barrington Stage Company)
Van Shields (Berkshire Museum)
Michael Supranowicz (Berkshire Chamber of Commerce)
Steven Valenti (Steven Valenti Clothing for Men)