2021 - Local Rapid Recovery PLan
The Downtown Group, with the support of ProAdams and Town of Adams, has been awarded a grant for technical assistance to complete a study by the end of August 2021 to revitalize the downtown area. The recommendations will be implemented by the end of 2021.
Final Projects
The Final list has been proposed, with final submission at the end of August - 1. Downtown Events Programming & Marketing (ProAdams) 2. Downtown Biking Enhancements – (Paul Lemieux) 3. Renew Adams (ProAdams) 4. Public Spaces (Town of Adams, Downtown Adams) 5. Wayfinding (ProAdams) 6. Storefront Revitalization) (Downtown Adams) 7. Walkability (Town of Adams/Downtown Adams) 8. Pop-up Stores (Downtown Adams) 9. Update Business Guides (Downtown Adams) 10. User needs survey (Carrie Burnett) 11. Cultural District (AAAB) 12. Food Destination (Downtown Adams) On to Phase 2 With the Data Collection and analysis stage is complete (see below) we now move on to Phase 2 - the Projects. The second phase will be to determine project recommendations and then implementation. Suggestions for projects can be submitted at this link - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/adamsLRRP At the end of June a second public meeting will be held as the first review of the potential projects. Phase 1 Complete
Phase One of the Business Survey and Data Collection was completed and a public presentation made on May 26. Fill analysis of the results and the 30 minute presentation can be viewed on You Tube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8op6bYDtaY Initial Steps
The application identified three short-term goals -. 1. Bring back downtown activities to re-build community spirit. 2. Stabilize existing businesses and current economic activity. 3. Increase business start-ups in the downtown area. Our first step (Phase One) is an - 1. Assessment of needs; 2. Catalogue the impacts of Covid-19; 3. Outreach for input from the wider community. The second phase will be to determine project recommendations and then implementation. The study area is bounded by Summer Street, Center Street, Park Street and Hoosac Street. The Hoosac river and Ashuwilticook Rail Trail passes through the downtown area.
Graphic courtesy of Raymond Gargan. |
News
Berkshire Eagle Adams embarks on formulating a strategy to revitalize downtown businesses, foot traffic. iBerkshires - Public Input Session Set for Adams Local Rapid Recovery Plan You Tube presentation on Phase 1 Data Collection https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8op6bYDtaY iBerkshires - Downtown Adams Receives Local Rapid Recovery Planning Grant Spectrum TV News - Downtown Adams Business Owners Receive Rapid Recovery Grant FAQ
What does the grant provide? The LRRP program provides technical assistance by consultant teams with expertise in effective strategies to stabilize business districts. Applicants will be matched with consultant team(s). The grant is run by the State's Massachusetts Downtown Initiative (MDI). Who is involved? In addition to the Downtown Group, ProAdams and Town of Adams, are also supporting the application. We have also created a Facebook group - Adams Community Volunteer Group for everyone to join in. When will this happen? We need to complete the study by July, 2021. The recommendations will be implemented by the end of 2021. In March and April the various groups will gather to identify and catalogue areas of concern and potential projects to be implemented. Then we will then spend 4 to 6 weeks outreaching to the wider community to add more ideas. These will be worked through with the consultant teams. At the end of the process we will come up with several projects that can be implemented immediately. How can I get involved? Contact us, either through our web page or Facebook Page. You can also join ProAdams or our Facebook group - Adams Community Volunteer Group. Where can I get more information? Public updates will be made on this page, our Facebook page and Facebook Social Media Group - Voices of Adams . |
Why Adams?
The downtown has over 100 retail destinations including 17 Restaurants, 10 cultural venues, 3 Boutique Hotels, 9 Buildings on the Historic Register, 10 drinking establishments, 24 retail, and 23 business service storefronts. There is even 1,750 parking spaces. With 44 vacancies and rents approximately half the cost of North Adams and even lower than Williamstown and Pittsfield the Downtown is by far the best place to start your business. |
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