November 19, 2011

Main Street Merchants organize to discuss Downtown

Downtown merchants, police and public works officials gathered at the Pawtucket Foundation last month to discuss a number of projects and concerns intended to help improve safety, maintenance and the overall downtown retail environment.

At the meeting, the Foundation previewed a new marketing campaign that will be unveiled in January and gathered input for streetscape improvements planned for the spring. Earlier this year, the Foundation, in conjunction with several business owners, was approved for a Community Development Block Grant to purchase and install greenery, planter boxes, bike racks, trashcans and banners on Main Street.

Meeting attendees went on to discuss concerns related to security, maintenance and management of the Main Street parking garage. Next steps include:

• Host quarterly merchant meetings.
• Increasing presence on Main Street by purchasing uniforms for volunteers from the Anchor Center that have been sweeping streets.
• Increasing group clean up efforts
• Completing planned lighting improvements at the parking garage.