Published in The Beacon on April 18, 2019.
On Monday, April 15, the NAMAzing Initiative unveiled a new campaign through Patronicity to raise money for improving the Ashland Street corridor.
If the group meets its $12,500 fundraising goal for the project, the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency will match that goal with an additional $12,500, for a total of $25,000. Ashland Street is the main road that connects the MCLA campus to downtown North Adams.
As part of the project, an “O+ Public Mural” would be painted on the side of 50 Ashland St., a property owned by Very Good Builders. The campaign’s Patronicity page describes the potential mural as “a beacon for individuals to walk from the college to downtown, and will simultaneously celebrate the mission of O+ North Adams and the creativity of our community itself.”
O+ is an organization that is currently organizing a music festival for May 10 and 11. Concert performers will receive health care in exchange for their work.
Also promised is a “String of Pearls Art Path” which would light up with various colors and patterns in the rain. There will also be enhancements for bicyclists and pedestrians, with three flag-crossing stations and bike racks and the hopeful future implementation of a public bike-share program.
Benjamin Lamb, a key team member with the initiative believes that the project will enhance the overall feeling of community on Ashland Street.
“Through making improvements that enhance the bike ability and pedestrian safety, along with artistic and beautification components, the project means to be a true creative placemaking project to support travelers, businesses, and the community collectively,” Lamb said in an email.
The project will also add various benches to the corridor, in addition to trees planted for shade in conjunction with the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition.
Lamb added that this proposed project would be beneficial to MCLA students.
“For students, we also hope they will submit for the artistic components once the campaign is complete and we begin to implement. Students are a huge part of our community, and we hope this will continue to make that connection even better.”
In addition to the impact on Ashland Street itself, Lamb hopes that this project will also attract new businesses and economic anchors to the city.
“A vibrant corridor and downtown is driven by business growth, community engagement, and foot traffic. This project aims to tap into all of those areas.”
As the project collects donations on Patronicity.com, Lamb believes that crowdfunding is about more than just raising money.
“Individually, very few people can afford to make a major project happen, but together, many supporters and donors can,” Lamb said. “Additionally, the amount of energy, celebration and vibrancy that comes through these campaigns can be mind-blowing. There is a lot to be said for drawing attention to positive projects in a community, as positivity breeds positivity, that grows the love and passion people have for the place they live in.”
While the state will not match contributions higher than $12,500, all donations will be used in the project, which is set to take place over the next 18 months.
In order for MassDevelopment to match the contribution, the fundraising goal must be met by May 30.
The NAMAzing Initiative began in 2014-2015 to help the community spread love for the city of North Adams. The Initiative has ambassadors welcome visitors to the city and has completed an approximately $100,000 campaign on Eagle Street, which saw new overhanging signs for businesses and streetscape improvements.
