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Commonwealth Places Campaign Launched for Lawrence Garage Restoration

$50,000 goal to win matching grant through MassDevelopment’s Commonwealth Places Initiative
September 28, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Meggie Quackenbush, MassDevelopment, 617-330-2011 & 857-208-2777 (cell)
mquackenbush@massdevelopment.com

Jonathan Berk, Patronicity, 617-750-6008
jonathan@Patronicity.com

Brad Buschur, Groundwork Lawrence, 978-974-0770
bbuschur@groundworklawrence.org

MassDevelopment and The Partnership for Buckley, a group of elected officials, nonprofit leaders, and residents in Lawrence, launched a campaign through the civic crowdfunding platform Patronicity and the Commonwealth Places initiative to transform Lawrence’s Buckley Transportation Center into a public art installation. The project, which will add colorful paint to the building’s wooden slat façade, is the product of several planning projects undertaken by the City of Lawrence, Northern Essex Community College, Groundwork Lawrence, the Lawrence Partnership, and the Lawrence Redevelopment Authority, which found that the Buckley could become a catalytic site through public art interventions.

“This project will build on the City of Lawrence’s efforts to revitalize its downtown by transforming the Buckley Transportation Center into a landmark for residents and visitors,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Lauren Liss. “MassDevelopment is excited to see the colorful results of this Commonwealth Places campaign.”

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by November 17, 2017, at midnight, the project will win a matching grant with funds from MassDevelopment’s Commonwealth Places program. Learn more and donate patronicity.com/lawrence.

"The Buckley Transportation Center is an important hub for the City and a critical link to the continued revitalization of our downtown. The improvements that would be made possible by this crowdfunding effort will cascade to residents, businesses, employees, students and visitors. I can’t wait to see the results,” said Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera.

Commonwealth Places is a collaborative initiative from MassDevelopment and Patronicity that leverages public support for placemaking projects through crowdfunding and a matching grant from MassDevelopment. The program engages residents in the development of strategic projects in their towns and cities. In June 2017, MassDevelopment announced $1 million in funding for the second year of the program, which has supported successful campaigns across the Commonwealth, from Northampton to Hyannis. Communities, nonprofits, and other entities can learn more about these successful projects, donate to ongoing campaigns, and apply at massdevelopment.com/commonwealthplaces.

MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2017, MassDevelopment financed or managed 377 projects generating investment of more than $4.3 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are projected to create about 9,488 jobs and build or rehabilitate 1,863 residential units.