Information gathering for the Reimagine Boston Main Streets process is underway, with listening sessions to garner feedback and comments from main streets districts now complete. The goal of the program is to look at main streets programs and resources and decide how they can be strengthened in an equitable way.
The Gazette spoke with the executive directors of Jamaica Plain’s three main streets organizations: Ginger Brown of JP/Centre South Main Streets, Warren Williams of Three Squares Main Street, and Denise Delgado of Egleston Square Main Street, to get their feedback on the Reimagine Boston Main Streets program, as well as to learn more about how the organizations have been helping out their communities over the past year.
In the midst of a pandemic, looking out for the future of Boston’s Main Streets districts has become all the more urgent.
City officials launched the Reimagine Main Streets program in November of last year, which, according to the City’s website, is a “community engagement process designed to strengthen the future of Boston Main Streets program through a deep and comprehensive analysis of the program’s existing systems and resources, uses, and gaps that impact local economic growth.” The process is led by consultants Strategy Matters and CJ Strategies, as well as subcontractors Archipelago Strategy Group.
The Gazette spoke with Natalia Urtubey, the City’s Director of Small Business, as well as Ellen Walker, the Executive Director of Mission Hill Main Streets, to learn more about this process and how it can help shape the way the City’s main streets districts will move forward.
By Daniel Sheehan, Reporter Staff
February 18, 2021
Daniel Sheehan, Reporter Staff
Over the course of the past year, Boston’s Main Streets network provided vital support to a number of businesses in Dorchester hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. Beyond setting up relief funds, several Main Streets organizations pitched in to help stand-up makeshift outdoor dining areas or to facilitate take-out and delivery services.
Now, the city’s Office of Economic Development has renewed an initiative to “re-imagine” Main Streets, with the goal of maintaining and expanding many of those services going forward.
Natalia Urtubey, director of Small Business for the Mayor’s Office, said the health crisis revealed the importance of those services and indicated a need to build upon their existing framework.