Union Square Main Streets
Encyclopedia
Union Square Main Streets is a community development organization in Somerville, Massachusetts
that aims to enhance the Union Square
area's commercial viability through collaborative efforts in design, promotion, economic restructuring, transportation, and organization.
Initiated by Mayor Joseph Curtatone
in 2005, Union Square Main Streets is a non-profit, public-private partnership between the City of Somerville, the National Main Street Center, Union Square business leaders, residents and community leaders. The city’s first community-based economic revitalization program provides merchants and community residents with the tools for the neighborhood to advance its own redevelopment.
It is the local implementation of the Main Street model developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation
for downtown district revitalization. Begun in 1977 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation initially to protect historic commercial architecture, the Main Street model is a comprehensive revitalization strategy to stimulate economic development in traditional commercial districts like Union Square. Currently the National Main Street Center administers the program in 40 states and over 1600 communities in the US, most notably with a citywide network of Main Street districts in Boston. The Main Street model is a framework for restoring a community’s economic vitality then maintaining these positive changes.
Among the organization's efforts are the Union Square Farmers Market (every Saturday morning from June through October), ArtsUnion (a collaborative program with the Somerville Arts Council that sponsors festivals, craft markets, street furniture and more), and business recruitment and assistance.
Somerville, Massachusetts
Somerville is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, located just north of Boston. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 75,754 and was the most densely populated municipality in New England. It is also the 17th most densely populated incorporated place in...
that aims to enhance the Union Square
Union Square (Somerville)
Union Square is a neighborhood of Somerville, Massachusetts, located around the intersection of Washington Street and Somerville Avenue, about half a mile from Inman Square in neighboring Cambridge. The name "Union Square" comes from the square having been used as a recruitment and mustering site...
area's commercial viability through collaborative efforts in design, promotion, economic restructuring, transportation, and organization.
Initiated by Mayor Joseph Curtatone
Joseph Curtatone
Joseph A. Curtatone is a Massachusetts politician. A Democrat, Curtatone has been the mayor of Somerville, Massachusetts since taking office in 2004.-Political career:...
in 2005, Union Square Main Streets is a non-profit, public-private partnership between the City of Somerville, the National Main Street Center, Union Square business leaders, residents and community leaders. The city’s first community-based economic revitalization program provides merchants and community residents with the tools for the neighborhood to advance its own redevelopment.
It is the local implementation of the Main Street model developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is an American member-supported organization that was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods through a range of programs and activities, including the publication of Preservation...
for downtown district revitalization. Begun in 1977 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation initially to protect historic commercial architecture, the Main Street model is a comprehensive revitalization strategy to stimulate economic development in traditional commercial districts like Union Square. Currently the National Main Street Center administers the program in 40 states and over 1600 communities in the US, most notably with a citywide network of Main Street districts in Boston. The Main Street model is a framework for restoring a community’s economic vitality then maintaining these positive changes.
Among the organization's efforts are the Union Square Farmers Market (every Saturday morning from June through October), ArtsUnion (a collaborative program with the Somerville Arts Council that sponsors festivals, craft markets, street furniture and more), and business recruitment and assistance.