N-Squared District Block Party Brings Neighbors Together In Newton-Needham

NEWTON, MA — Wednesday evening in the N-Squared corridor, classic rock and sounds of summer bounced off the TripAdvisor building as a little block party, complete with cornhole and an ice cream truck, brought folks from surrounding businesses together for a little mingling.

"The idea was just to get neighbors to get to know each other," said Greg Reibman, president of the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce, the organizer of the event. Employees from recently opened SharkNinja, the Marriott, TripAdvisor as well as local politicians - Newton City Councilor Tedd Hess-Mahan and Newton Mayoral candidate Ruthanne Fuller both attended.

But it also marked the completion of a fundraising campaign to sustain the N-Squared initiative. The Newton-Needham Regional Chamber raised $336,060 -- exceeding the chamber's original goal of $325,000.

"Now we are poised to launch an effort marking the region to employers and entrepreneurs and to create more programs and events for those who already work and live here," said Reibman in a recent announcement.

The chamber in partnership with Newton and Needham began the N-Squared (N2) Innovation District project in 2013. Since then, several construction projects have begun, and the idea is that they will transform the region, bringing more walkable retail and housing.

Photos by Jenna Fisher/ Patch