Activities

FDR Activities and Initiatives

FDR Activities fall into four categories, consistent with the approach of the National Main Street Program:

(1) Organization - building public-private consensus, cooperation and funding sources

Activity -- Forum meetings with town board and town department representatives (2004-present); Grant applications and funding from state legislature, banks and private groups (See below); Non-profit corporation status in 2008; Support letters for grants to Danforth Museum; Collaboration with Police Safety Initiative; Survey of downtown business owners in 2011.

(2) Design - providing a vision for enhancing the district’s physical appearance through building rehabilitation,new construction and public improvements,

Activity -- Developed Downtown Vision in 2006; Downtown Visualization Report in 2007, Downtown Power Point Presentation in 2008; Advisory Committee for the Downtown Rail Crossing in 2009; Farm Pond Initiative in 2010.

(3) Promotion - marketing the district through events and advertising to attract customers, investors, businesses, residents, and visitors,

Activity -- Produced Downtown Parking Map in MetroWest News in 2006; Restaurant Discount Program in 2007-2008 for patrons of START Partnership’s cultural festivals ("Spring Into Arts" & "Heart of Winter" promotions); Downtown web site in 2010.

(4) Economic Restructuring - strengthening the district's economic base and creating new opportunities through careful analysis and appropriate mixed-use development.

Activity -- Advisory services for Downtown Mixed Use Development in 2006-2007; Cultural Triangle Initiative in 2008; Nevins Hall Performing Arts Market Study in 2009; Support for Downtown Retail Study in 2009.

FDR Grants

$500,000 state grant in 2006 (Chapter 123, Section 2B, Massachusetts Acts of 2006) "for the Framingham Downtown Renaissance economic revitalization consortium and the development of a capital plan." These funds were directed to the Town of Framingham and used for Downtown Roadway Improvement Project plans and the Downtown Retail Market Study.
$50,000 state grant in 2008 (Chapter 182, Section 2, Massachusetts Acts of 2008) "for Framingham Downtown Renaissance economic, tourism and cultural development programs.". A portion of the funds supported the Nevins Hall performing arts market study and downtown economic study, both completed in 2009..
Secured grant funds from TD Bank and Middlesex Savings Bank in 2010 to further develop FDR as a public-private consortium, along with logo marketing design provided by CommCreative and web site services provided by Economic Development Research Group.

FDR Action Plan

Transition FDR from a public forum to a non-profit corporation that accept grant funding and private donations.
Provide coordinating process bringing together organizations and interests in achieving the downtown vision.
Identify a series of initiatives that provide momentum toward addressing unmet needs for downtown Framingham
Support implementation of current public and private sector development projects in Downtown Framingham.
Encourage development of housing in Downtown Framingham as an economic development tool.
Identify remaining gaps and needs for Downtown Framingham, gathering information and recommending solutions.
Utilize cultural economic development as a cornerstone for revitalization of Downtown Framingham.
Work to enhance Downtown image and environment to attract visitors and spur business activity.
Support efforts to create more income and jobs for local businesses.
Recruit private capital investment and increase tax base by encouraging investment in downtown development.
Provide input to the Rail Crossing Study
Provide input to the Master Planning Process.

Public Grant Funding for Downtown Improvement

Nevins Hall Cultural Market Study - market for booking performing arts activities at a refurbished Nevins Hall.
Pearl Street Parking Garage Study - needs for repairs, lighting, security and pedestrian access improvement.
Central Business District Engineering Plan - utilities, drainage, lighting, streetscape, sidewalks, ADA compliance.
FDR Development - funding from State Legislature to establish FDR as a financially sustainable organization.

List of Downtown Physical Enhancement Projects

Rail Crossing Task Force - evaluating solutions to congestion at intersection of Rt.126, Rt.135 and RR tracks
Hollis/Irving Street Intersection. Plans for traffic improvements on Route 126 .
Transit System Enhancements - bus shelters, solar lighting, bike racks and solar-lit bicycle lockers.
Period Streetlight Installation Project.
Franklin Street Reconstruction.
TOD Bond Project - design for pedestrian linkages between rail station, bus hub and downtown commercial district.
Nevins Hall Upgrades
Danforth Museum Improvements