Commonwealth Places Campaign Launched for Hull ArtWalk
$25,000 goal to win matching grant through MassDevelopment’s Commonwealth Places
April 9, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Kelsey Schiller, MassDevelopment, 617-330-2011 & 617-694-9695 (cell)
kschiller@massdevelopment.com
Jonathan Berk, Patronicity, 617-750-6008
jonathan@Patronicity.com
Jen Constable, Town of Hull, 617-285-3444
jconstable@town.hull.ma.us
MassDevelopment and the civic crowdfunding platform Patronicity have launched a new Commonwealth Places campaign with the Hull Artists Studio Connection and the Town of Hull to transform a vacant, blighted parcel of land on Hull’s waterfront – formerly home to the go-cart track at Paragon Park – into a vibrant public space. The revitalization project, named “Hull Artwalk,” will reestablish a pedestrian access way between the town’s two main commercial corridors of Nantasket Beach and Steamboat Wharf, while also creating new public gathering spaces and a venue for arts and cultural exhibits and activities. Campaign funds will support the creation of a lighted pedestrian walkway, community gathering space, seating, and public art installations, and will support landscaping in the area.
“The Hull ArtWalk will breathe new life into a vacant, underutilized area along Hull’s impressive waterfront,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Lauren Liss. “In addition to creating and encouraging pedestrian access between two key commercial corridors, the ArtWalk will also provide new space for Hull’s creative economy to flourish.”
If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $25,000 by May 29 at midnight, the project will win a matching grant with funds from MassDevelopment’s Commonwealth Places. Learn more and donate to the Hull ArtWalk at patronicity.com/hullartwalk.
“The development of the Hull ArtWalk signals the arrival of a Nantasket Beach revitalization that will remake the area as a premier commercial, cultural and recreational destination which has been envisioned for many years,” said Chris Dilorio, Director of Community Development and Planning for the Town of Hull. “The private, public and community investment that continues to flow towards a multitude of projects is creating a momentum that will benefit the area for years to come.”
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 November 2018, MassDevelopment announced $500,000 in funding for the third 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 FY2018, MassDevelopment financed or managed 384 projects generating investment of more than $4.1 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are estimated to create or support 10,994 jobs and build or rehabilitate 830 housing units.
