main street research project - Academic Technology Center ...

time. All of the windows are
covered by blinds and the
address is peeling off of the
sign. This does not provide a
welcoming atmosphere to
those on the street.
When comparing the Main
Street vacancy to ones in
Lexington the differences are
apparent. Figure 2–3 shows
open windows allowing potential
new business owners to
see inside the building before
Figure 2-4: Example of Art in the Window of a Vacant Building
they consider renting it. The
inside is clean, but not barren. Also, on the window is a colorful sign for the realtor that catches
the eye. A frequently mentioned short-term solution to the vacancy issue is to turn the property
into an art display. While it does not provide any income for the landlord or direct benefit to any
business, placing art in the windows of vacant properties improve the appearance of the area.
Adding artwork on display to the vacant properties will effectively add visual appeal and a sense
of culture to the community that will be welcomed by consumers and business owners alike.
According to the survey of Waltham landlords, some property owners would be willing to
display artwork in their vacancies if it is for a non-profit effort. One property manager on Main
Street mentioned how they have artists as their tenants and that using their work throughout
vacancies in downtown Waltham would be advantageous for all parties. Jim Walker,
commenting on his article for Brand New Watch asks ―Can the cool ‗art window‘ project which
has been done the past couple years in the vacant toy store on lower Moody be expanded to the
upper end of Moody?‖ 5 . There is evidence that consumers think this is a good idea and wish it
were utilized more often. Figure 2–4 is a great example of a window display by an artist in a
vacancy in another town. It brightens up the buildings appearance and gives people on the street
something to appreciate as opposed to boarded up windows. Also, it makes walking on the street
more enjoyable and could increase foot traffic. A similar approach to improve property
appearance would be large outdoor murals to decorate otherwise blank walls, similar to the
mural on Whitney Avenue just off of Moody Street.
NEW BUSINESS SUPPORT
Filling these vacancies and encouraging a healthy business mix is critical to improving the City‘s
economy. However, disjointed planning will not have the desired effects. The City and its local
organizations must have appropriate focus when attempting to support local businesses. These
5 From: http://blogs.wickedlocal.com/brandnewwatch/2011/11/08/good-things-heading-south-on-moodystreet/#ixzz1ddPTeFsR
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