North Reading Receives Grant Through Massachusetts Downtown Initiative

By Linda Bock

The Baker-Polito Administration announced on Thursday that the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative will award North Reading funds to analyze street designs in town. Funds were also awarded for consultant services in eight other communities in an effort to support local downtown revitalization efforts.

In addition to the street designs analysis in North Reading, project awards will suppot parking development in Danvers, the implementation of a business improvement district in Great Barrington, an assessment of cultural assets in Natick, analysis of street designs in North Adams, a market study in Palmer, a retail retention program in Millbury, and navigation plans in Amherst and Greenfield.

These awards, totaling $100,000, are set aside from the Community Development Block Grant program every year and are administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development.

The Massachusetts Downtown Initiative reaches an estimated 180 communities annually and has leveraged over half a million dollars in private funds for improving downtowns across the Commonwealth. It has contributed to transformative and lasting impacts in communities such as Dedham, Maynard, Natick, Needham, Randolph, Rockport, Warren and Winchester.

For more information visit the Department of Housing and Community Development’s website: http://www.mass.gov/hed/economic/eohed/dhcd/