Greylock Center Masterplan
Location: Adams, Massachusetts
Date Completed: March, 1999
Client: Greylock Management Associates, Inc., Boston, MA.

Landscape: Greylock Center is Located at the Base of Mount Greylock.

Harry Dodson helped develop the original 1984 masterplan for conservation and development of 1100 acres at the base of Mount Greylock in Adams, Massachusetts. The plan recommended clustering of resort development in a traditional New England village and the preservation of over 900 acres of the site for conservation and recreational use. The plan, one of the first new urbanist site plans in the nation and the first to incorporate significant land conservation, generated strong initial support from conservationists as well as pro-development interests and led to the acquisition of the 1100 acre site by the Massachusetts legislature for development and conservation purposes. Unfortunately, the original masterplan was altered and expanded by a subsequent developer of the project in the late 1980's, leading to a denial of its Environmental Impact Report in 1987.

In 1996 Dodson Associates was hired by Greylock Management Associates (GMA) to develop a new masterplan for the project. The plan helped win approval for GMA as selected developer of the project. The plans followed guidelines established by the state including the development of a moderately scaled conference center/hotel, environmental education center, recreational facilities and vacation housing based on sustainable development principles. The Environmental Impact Report for the project was approved in 2000 but was unfortunately vetoed by acting Governor Jane Swift after intensive lobbying by special interest groups. Currently the Commonwealth and supporters of the project are studying ways to revive the project and meet the terms spelled out in the original legislation mandating development and conservation on the site.

Village Sketch: The village is pedestrian-friendly with a mix of uses. Site Plan: Compact village development preserves over 80% of the site. Click image for full size view.

Model: The center is designed as a traditional New England village.   Village Plan: Most of the development occurs in an efficient, 40-acre village. Click image for full size view.