For Immediate Release

Monday, April 8, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Rockland Officials Seek Resident Input at Union Street Revitalization Open House

Feedback Sought from Community Members to Guide Downtown Revitalization Project

ROCKLAND — The Rockland Board of Selectmen, in partnership with MassDevelopment and economic development consultant Goody Clancy, are pleased to invite residents, business owners and community members to an informational open house about the town’s ongoing Union Street revitalization project.

The drop-in event will feature multiple information stations and interactive exercises in which attendees can take part. The event’s focus is to seek feedback from residents, and a broad array of stakeholders, relating to the Downtown Revitalization Plan being compiled through a MassDevelopment grant awarded to the town.

The ‘Spring into Action Public Open House’ will be held on Saturday, April 27 from Noon-5 p.m. at the Sandpaper Factory, 83 East Water St.

Town officials are seeking input from residents to help shape the framework of the downtown corridor’s revitalization. Officials are seeking feedback and suggestions on a number of topics including:

• What future development could look like
• Potential improvements to streets and sidewalks
• Parking in the downtown
• Priorities for historic preservation and town-owned properties
• Promoting the Rockland Rail Trail

“It is fitting that this event will be held inside the Sandpaper Factory, as the revitalized former factory now has a new life as a 120,000-square-foot multi-use building for artists and craftsmen,” Selectman Michael Mullen said. “This is the type of ingenuity and invigoration we want to be embracing for the Union Street corridor, and we are asking residents to stop by on April 27 to provide their thoughts and share with us their vision for Union Street.”

In January, the Town of Rockland announced a partnership with MassDevelopment to create a Union Street Economic Development Plan. Public input from residents is a key component in crafting the plan.

“Residents have a unique opportunity to take part in helping to shape the future of Rockland’s downtown for many years to come,” Selectmen Chair Larry Ryan said. “The open house is a perfect platform for community members to make their thoughts and vision for Union Street known while the economic development plan is still being developed. We hope to see a lot of people at the open house and we look forward to hearing what people have to say.”

The Open House is being held as part of the 4th Floor Artists’ Open Studios Weekend taking place at the the Sandpaper Factory and the E.T. Wright Building from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on April 27-28. Those attending the ‘Spring into Action Public Open House’ are invited to visit the 4th Floor Artists in their studios and galleries throughout the afternoon.

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