Downtown Northampton Association outlines events, business support and composting plans ahead of Main Street project

Andrea Munson, executive director of the Downtown Northampton Association, told the Northampton City Community Resources Committee on June 16 that the nonprofit is expanding support for downtown businesses, coordinating a slate of events to boost foot traffic and working with city staff on a downtown composting and recycling plan tied to the Picture Main Street redevelopment project.

Munson said the DNA — which she described as "a combination of business association and a BID" and which gained nonprofit status last year after about eight years in operation — is focusing on business advocacy, marketing and event programming to help merchants before, during and after the Main Street work. "We are trying to uplift the downtown, especially when it comes to the downtown businesses," she said.

The work includes a monthly downtown business forum (held at the Hotel Northampton at 10 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month), an events calendar and a push to revive Arts Night Out and other signature events. Benjamin Spencer, a Northampton resident who spoke during public comment, said he supported the DNA's efforts: "I'm excited that there's a collaboration going on between the Downtown Northampton Association, Pardon Our Progress, the mayor's office to really, help support our downtown businesses," he said.

Munson described several near-term programs: a two-day return of the Taste event in its original location behind Thorne's (details still being finalized), a July push for Arts Night Out with performers and a July map of participating locations, and a new Halloween-focused promotion called the Great Northampton Haunt that organizers plan to activate every day in October.

Munson said the DNA is also pursuing ways to recruit and retain new businesses. She described an onboarding process still under development that would connect prospective tenants with city departments (health, building, fire) and property owners before a lease is signed to avoid last-minute, costly compliance problems. "If I'm a business coming in, the first thing I do is I meet with the DNA," Munson said, outlining the proposed checklist approach.

On sustainability, Munson said the DNA is working with city engineering staff and other local partners to address contamination of compostable materials that currently prevents recycling. She described a three-step, business-led approach: rework the relevant ordinance(s), decide which containers will be permitted downtown, and create a buyers' club so the DNA could purchase compostable products in bulk to lower costs for individual businesses. Munson said the city has a large composting site that could be used, and that having the communications director on the DNA board has improved interagency coordination.

Munson also summarized work with Pardon Our Progress (POP), a multi-stakeholder group formed to plan for the Main Street project; POP has a consultant report reviewing comparable projects in other cities and a citywide survey of downtown businesses (Munson said she is analyzing the survey results). She told committee members that many local merchants are anxious about disruption from Main Street construction and that the DNA's role includes communicating realistic timelines and mitigation practices to businesses.

Munson said organizers are planning a public talk with Jeff Speck, the author of Walkable Cities, tailored to the Main Street redevelopment; the date was discussed as October 27 but timing remained under development. She also said communications funding had been secured: city staff members Annie and Alan obtained a $150,000 grant for POP/Main Street communications and marketing, which Munson said will support branding and an events calendar for the valley.

Committee members thanked Munson and offered collaboration. Councilor Perry moved approval of the committee minutes earlier in the meeting; the motion was seconded by Councilor Dobbs and approved by roll call. Councilor Jeremy Dobbs (Ward 4) offered to work on accessibility issues and said the Main Street project might present opportunities to add ramps and other accessibility improvements at storefronts. Councilor Paige Rothenberg and others praised DNA volunteers and named local business leaders involved with the effort.

The committee recessed to other routine business and later adjourned after a motion by Councilor Perry, seconded by Councilor Dobbs.

Munson invited volunteers for DNA committees (beautification, events) and said more details and event schedules will be released as plans firm up. She emphasized that the DNA's work is business-led and focused on keeping downtown businesses informed and supported as the Picture Main Street redevelopment proceeds.