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’Pardon Our Progress’ outreach team to promote downtown during Main Street rebuild
Summary
A public-private outreach coalition including the city, chamber, and downtown nonprofit outlined plans to support businesses through the Main Street reconstruction, launch an outreach survey, use an adapted alert app for updates, and expect MassDOT plans in spring with initial mobilization next fall.
Jim Nash, representing the POP (Pardon Our Progress) outreach team, briefed the Bicycle & Pedestrian Subcommittee on Dec. 11 about coordinated outreach and mitigation plans for the Main Street rebuild.
Nash said the partnership — the downtown nonprofit (DNA), the Greater Northampton Chamber, and city staff — has formed four action teams for outreach, business support, construction communication and funding. He said the business-support team will survey downtown businesses to set priorities before construction and the outreach team will use an adapted Code Red app to send timely updates about parking changes, construction locations and service interruptions.
Nash said MassDOT plans are expected in spring and that initial construction mobilization could begin next fall with limited activity such as median removal near the Main Street intersection and the Academy of Music area; the full rebuild will occur the following year. "We're expecting plans from MassDOT to be coming forward at some point... the plans aren't gonna come till spring," he said.
Committee members asked how they could support the outreach; Nash asked members to share POP materials and said he would return with updates as plans solidify.
The presentation did not include new funding commitments; staff said some mitigation money could be sought by partners but cautioned the city cannot directly give money to businesses. The outreach team will continue coordinating with city communications and return with more detailed timelines when MassDOT provides plans.
