Leveraging Cultural Assets for Economic Development - Cape Cod ...

HistoryThe geographic location and resources of downtown Hyannis make it ideally positionedto be the cultural, commercial, medical, and transportation hub of the region. However,decentralization, single-use zoning, and a seasonal economic focus had resulted in anunappealing downtown marked by vacant storefronts and deteriorating façades.The town devised the Downtown Hyannis Economic Stimulus Plan in 2005 to complementmany of the efforts already under way to revitalize the area, including encouragingmixed-use development downtown, implementing streetscape (capital) improvements,and streamlining and clarifying the permitting process.The town administration also recognized that supporting the creative economy tostimulate economic growth would complement the overall growth strategy for downtown,and that further cultivation of arts and culture activities would draw visitors andarea residents to spend more time and money on Main Street. As such, an integral partof the economic stimulus plan was a community cultural planning process intendedto develop year-round cultural programming and economic development opportunitiesfor individual artists. This case study will focus primarily on the cultural programmingsection of the stimulus plan.ProcessEarly in the process of developing an economic stimulus plan for downtown Hyannis,the town formed partnerships with numerous business and regulatory entities, includingHyannis Main Street Business Improvement District, Hyannis Area Chamber ofCommerce, Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Cape Cod Economic Development Council,Hyannis Civic Association, Hyannis Main Street Waterfront Historic District, and theBarnstable Historic Commission.The town also partnered with many local and regional arts organizations in its efforts toestablish Hyannis as a regional center for the arts, including the Massachusetts CulturalCouncil, the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, and the Cape Cod Art Association.Community InputInvitations were sent to 5,000 area residents and business owners to two communitycharettes held in 2006. At the meetings, town staff and partners gathered ideas forphysical improvements and the role of arts and culture in downtown Hyannis.These meetings revealed a strong desire for more arts and culture activities to attractresidents and visitors to patronize area businesses, and to help change the perceptionof downtown Hyannis. Participants also felt strongly that the underutilized public landon the harbor front would be an ideal location for public art installations and culturalevents. Other concerns were for increased safety/streetscape improvements in the30Leveraging Cultural Assets A Practical Guide for Municipal Investment in Arts & Culture on Cape Cod