Downtown Revitalization

OUR PROJECTS

A community's center is like its living room. However, many of our downtowns are less vibrant than residents would like, and less vital than some residents, those who experienced town centers before the advent of malls and on-line shopping remember. Revitalizing our downtowns is critical for our sense of community. There are many opportunities to re-make these centers into locales for community gathering and for housing for elderly, empty nesters, and others seeking smaller multi-family units within walking distance of goods and services.

The following are projects that Community Circle either led or was a key member of a team that completed the plan.

What makes a downtown vibrant?

Attractive buildings
Appealing signage
Pedestrian amenities and gathering spaces
Urban design features
Walking/biking
Active ground floor uses
Element of surprise
Attractive streetscape
Adequate parking
Feeling of safety
Natural features (e.g. shade trees, attractive landscaping, pocket parks)

Downtown Revitalization projects include:

Canton, MA: Local Rapid Recovery Plan
Clinton, MA: Local Rapid Recovery Plan
Hingham, MA: Local Rapid Recovery Plan
Lawrence, MA: Local Rapid Recovery Plan
Oxford, MA: Local Rapid Recovery Plan
Rockport, MA: Local Rapid Recovery Plan
Sterling, MA: Local Rapid Recovery Plan
Acton, MA: Construction Mitigation Best Practices
Medfield, MA: Downtown Revitalization Plan
Lexington, MA: Downtown Revitalization Plan
Belmont, MA: Downtown Revitalization Plan
Somerset, MA: Downtown Revitalization Plan
Bedford, MA: Downtown Revitalization Plan
Chinatown, Boston, MA: Downtown Revitalization Plan

Strengthening the town or city center has been a component of every master planning project undertaken by Community Circle. Many of these focus on comprehensive revitalization strategies involving economic development, aesthetic improvements, connecting economic development with art and culture, zoning changes, historic preservation, supporting walkability, etc..