Marianne LaBarge City Councilor | Ward 6 | Northampton, MA

WARD 6

         CITY COUNCILOR

MARIANNE LABARGE
Text Box: For Immediate Release - October 11, 2024   City of Northampton Awarded a $25,000 State Grant to Support Downtown Construction Mitigation Efforts NORTHAMPTON — The City of Northampton is excited to announce that it has been awarded a $25,000 grant that will allow the city to hire consultant services through the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative (MDI) Program as part of the FY25 Round of the Community One Stop for Growth. This funding, provided by the Healey-Driscoll Administration, will assist the POP (Pardon Our Progress) campaign as the Mayor and her partners work to mitigate the impact of construction in downtown Northampton during the Picture Main Street project. The Picture Main Street project is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redesign downtown Northampton. With the help of more than $22 million in state and federal funds already designated for the project, Northampton will address several critical needs: safety, accessibility, vibrancy, and climate resiliency. It will also replace downtown’s more than 100-year-old water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure.  As part of the planning process, the City of Northampton, in collaboration with the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC), the Downtown Northampton Association (DNA), local business leaders, and other experts formed a downtown redesign construction mitigation campaign, and held a community contest to select the name "POP: Pardon Our Progress." This grant will support the POP committee in creating strategies and communication plans to minimize construction impacts on businesses, residents, and visitors. It ensures downtown Northampton remains vibrant and accessible during this period of growth. The plan, developed with the help of expert consultants, will advance the city's long-term vision for downtown revitalization. "This award is a significant step forward for POP's mission to enhance and sustain the vitality of our downtown during this transformative time," shared Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra. "We are grateful to the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative Program and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their support in helping us manage this transition smoothly and effectively." Pardon Our Progress is committed to working closely with the community to ensure a seamless and positive experience during the downtown improvements. To receive timely updates and stay connected with all the latest news from POP, simply text “PROGRESS” to 99411. By signing up, you'll be the first to receive important alerts, updates, and construction announcements as POP prepares for the start of construction and throughout the entire construction period. Minimal construction is expected to begin in fall 2025, with full-scale construction starting in spring 2026. For more information, please contact the Mayor’s Office at 413-587-1249 or mayor@northamptonma.gov.  More information about the Pardon Our Progress (POP) construction mitigation campaign can be found here. ( https://www.northamptonma.gov/2559/Construction-Mitigation ) Office of Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra City of Northampton 210 Main Street, Room 12 Northampton MA 01060 413-587-1249 phone 413-587-1275 fax www.northamptonma.gov