COG works with Webster, MA to expand community development initiatives3/14/2011
For the past 15 years, COG has worked with the Town of Webster to develop a comprehensive community development program that included housing rehabilitation, improvements to neighborhood infrastructure and recreational facilities and even the redevelopment of an old school. This spring, with COG’s help, Webster will add another component to its revitalization strategy—downtown commercial improvements.
A former textile-manufacturing town, Webster has been unable to keep pace with economic changes leaving many buildings and neighborhoods deteriorated. The pilot Downtown Webster Commercial Property Improvement Program (DW-CPIP) seeks to turn this around, at least downtown. One of a series of private and public initiatives that are planned or underway to revitalize the town’s historic business district, the CPIP will provide professional design assistance and matching grants to property owners in the downtown business district to complete façade renovations and to install signs and awnings.
Recognizing the advantages of knitting together multiple community development efforts to create singular impact downtown, COG has worked with the town to rehabilitate the mixed-use former Aubuchon Hardware building, create a park on the French River, upgrade parking and sidewalks and redevelop the Sitkowski School into 66 units of elderly housing and a new senior center. Last year, COG and the Webster Office of Community Development (OCD) decided it was time to expand its community development efforts to include assistance to downtown businesses and commercial property owners.
COG prepared the Community Development Block Grant application that secured the funds for the program and currently is assisting the OCD with implementation. COG will work with the OCD to develop program policies and procedures and assist the town’s design review committee as it moves forward. COG Construction Specialist Pete Kenefick will complement contracted architectural services by conducting inspections and other construction-phase assistance. The OCD expects to start accepting applications from interested property and business owners in April. Anticipating strong interest and participation in the program by downtown businesses, the town plans to seek additional funding so that it can continue the program indefinitely.