There are many reasons why the Greylock Center project, as currently proposed, is a bad idea:
This project is a prime example of pork-barrel politics: using government funds to pay for individuals' pet projects. Tax dollars shouldn't be used to help build a housing development and a golf course, both of which will only benefit a small group of people. The primary benefits will go to Chris Fleming, the developer, who will make millions off the project.
A development of this scale will greatly damage one of the most spectacular natural environments in Massachusetts. The Glen would be subject to extensive construction, clearcutting of forests, the destruction of wildlife habitat, and pollution from pesticides, runoff, and fertilizers.
This development would permanently scar the east side of Mt. Greylock and the view from the summit.
The state should not be designing and funding a project that will create urban sprawl, at the same time that it is campaigning so vocally to protect open space. This project will destroy the largest and most beautiful piece of open space in Adams.
The use of the Glen for recreational activities like hiking and swimming will be greatly reduced.
The state's own housing study found that there was no market for the proposed housing development. The market for vacation homes in the Adams area is practically non-existent. The proposed 300 homes would be more vacation homes than currently exist in all of northern Berkshire county.
It is likely that the town will be forced to spend more money on services for the new development than it would receive in increased property tax revenue, so that the town could very well lose money on the deal.
It is clear that the current proposal is inappropriate for the Glen, and that the state needs to reconsider both the scale and the nature of the project.