Downtown Update

Peabody Main Streets follows the national economic development model of this program with separate committees working concurrently in the areas of Design, Economic Vitality and Promotions.  Twice a year we bring all committees together to learn what each group is working on. It is important to note that many of these initiatives are a collaborative of work between the volunteers on Main Streets, the City of Peabody, City Council, Chamber of Commerce and organizations such as Peabody Access TV and Peabody Cultural Collaborative. We met last week, and the following is an update:

Design:

• Working with PMLP, Cobra head lights (the big old silver ones along Main St) have been replaced with ornamental poles and lower LED lights.  Wood poles from Washington St to Salem line have also been replaced.  Next phase will be retrofitting the antique lampposts with LED lights.
• Riverwalk - city is applying for another grant to move project forward.  Working with Salem to connect Riverwalk and bike path.
• Transportation - $245K has been allocated by state to study next phase of trolley feasibility.  Mayors of north shore communities are pushing an agenda at the statehouse to focus on community transportation.  Peabody, Salem, Beverly and Danvers are also looking into inter-city transportation options.
• Bike Path - a connection to downtown is being considered
• Public Art - looking for ways to expand public art projects beyond utility boxes
• Light up trees on Main Street.  Since there is limited access to power outlets and the desire to avoid the hazard of electrical cords draped along the street, PMLP is looking at alternative ways to light up the trees along the sidewalk along Main Street.

Economic Vitality:

• Looking into how to take advantage of the Opportunity Zone
• How can we increase mixed used developments downtown
• Everything relates back to zoning.  Developers need to increase density to make a project work financially, but are limited by parking and height restrictions. 

Promotions:

• Focus in 2019 was to increase publicity for downtown and businesses, both inside and outside of Peabody.  
  • Produced a Peabody brochure/map in conjunction with the City, Peabody Chamber and Peabody Access TV that was distributed at tourist areas from southern Maine to Rhode Island.
  • Joint ad with City of Peabody in the No of Boston Visitor and Convention Bureau annual guide promoting Peabody as "most playful city".
  • North of Boston Co-op ad in East Coast Traveler guide which targets bus tours to the region.
  • Joint sponsorship with Peabody's Black Box Theatre of Salem Film Fest, featuring downtown restaurant guide on where to dine.
  • "Experience Peabody" ad in Haunted Happenings Magazine highlighting events during October.
  • "Eat, Drink & Be Local" promotion featured 6 new businesses on Main Street during Dinner on Main.
  • Ugly Sweater Crawl during Holiday Stroll generated business for downtown merchants and restaurants, winning national recognition from the National Main Streets organization.
  • 6-month radio campaign on North Shore 104.9 targeting listeners on the north shore and Merrimack Valley to "experience Peabody".