Transformit-Ave

by Steven Froias

This past February, New Bedford acquired another powerful tool to add to its economic development arsenal.

At Hatch Street Studios in the city’s North End, local and state officials met for a special announcement. The area of New Bedford that is home to the commercial corridor Acushnet Avenue officially became a MassDevelopment Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) district.

At the event, a total of 12 new districts in the Commonwealth were announced, and the North End Acushnet Avenue district was New Bedford’s second, following in the footsteps of the downtown Purchase and Union Street TDI district.

TDI districts are the centerpiece of a MassDevelopment program for Gateway Cities designed to accelerate economic growth within a focused geographic location. The Transformative Development Initiative works with cross-sector partnerships in targeted commercial districts in order to engage community members, implement local economic development initiatives, and spur further public and private investment. All districts designated that day in February are to be awarded TDI fellows – MassDevelopment employees who will provide on-the-ground economic development expertise and collaborative leadership in these cities – and will have access to a range of tools to help accelerate development, including technical assistance, grants to support local market development and arts and cultural infrastructure, collaborative workshops, resources, events, and more.

In New Bedford, Mayor Jon Mitchell remarked at the Hatch Street Studios event, “I’m grateful that MassDevelopment has established a TDI District along The Ave, which for decades has been the physical manifestation of New Bedford’s ethnic melting pot. The designation will help energize existing small businesses, bring new ones to life, and support long-term neighborhood vitality.”

Love The Ave

A big reason the Acushnet Avenue TDI district was established is due to the years-long effort known as “Love The Ave.” It’s the loose organization of community members, non-profit groups, municipal agencies, and private businesses which for several years have worked to raise the profile of The Ave and the North End generally as a distinct area.

Today, it’s overseen by the New Bedford Economic Development Council (NBEDC) and maintains a robust communications platform on the web and social media in order to promote all things North End and The Ave. Also, the NBEDC brings together all members of the ad-hoc group to share news and events and plan potential collaborative initiatives during quarterly meetings.

Now, as an official Acushnet Avenue TDI district, the Love The Ave partners hope to double down on the impact of working together to further define the district and help meet the needs of the residential, cultural and small business community.

“There is no question that investments in our Gateway Cities like MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative yield positive economic and community growth where it is needed most,” said Representative Christopher Hendricks.

“It is my honor to represent the Near North community of New Bedford and I look forward to working with State officials to maximize the impact of this important designation.”

North End Assets

Individually and as a team, Love The Ave members have worked hard to activate and maximize the assets found on The Ave and in North End New Bedford.

The founding member of Love The Ave is the Community Economic Development Center (CEDC) – and it works right on The Ave to provide vital services to the district’s dynamic immigrant population. The CEDC has launched a plethora of arts and culture projects from murals to the popular annual Guatemalan Kite Festival to help revitalize the neighborhood. That’s in addition to its core mission acting as a day-to-day resource center for district residents, providing everything from social services to financial guidance.

Groundwork Southcoast is another Love The Ave partner, based in the city’s Brooklawn Park along The Ave. However, its signature project is transforming another park in the North End – Riverside Park along the upper Acushnet River – into a resilience hub.

This profound project has literally changed the landscape. In a few years, Groundwork Southcoast and its “Green Team” have created a sprawling and impressive community garden in Riverside Park, while generally tending to the needs of this once neglected river bank.

Meanwhile, along Acushnet Avenue, the commercial corridor is renowned for its many storefronts and large concentration of restaurants, markets and eateries offering a diverse menu with an emphasis on destination Portuguese cuisine. Love The Ave vigorously promotes them all on a near-daily basis on social media.

The New TDI

These and the many other assets found in the newly created Acushnet Avenue TDI district promise a transformational few years ahead in the North End of New Bedford.

“By developing coalitions of local public, private, and nonprofit partners to make progress toward shared neighborhood goals, MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative has become a proven model for accelerating economic development in Gateway Cities across Massachusetts,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, who serves as chair of MassDevelopment’s Board of Directors.

“This collaborative, street-level approach engages community members to advance small businesses, activate public spaces, rethink vacant properties, and more.”

MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera added, “From new storefront signage and district branding efforts, to planning studies and vacant building activation, our Transformative Development Initiative helps Gateway City partners tackle projects that advance neighborhood goals, stimulate economic activity, and build momentum for future investment.

“TDI provides a critical benefit to our urban neighborhoods, and we’re grateful for the support of the Baker- Polito Administration and Legislature as we continue to expand its impact across the Commonwealth.”

It all adds up to something new and exciting, but also something many here in New Bedford have known for a while: it’s wonderful to Love The Ave.