Hyannis Launches Commonwealth Places Campaign to Connect Waterfront to Main Street

May 03, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contacts:
Kelsey Abbruzzese, MassDevelopment, 617-330-2086 & 617-448-9077 (cell)
kabbruzzese@massdevelopment.com

Jonathan Berk, Patronicity, 617-750-6008
jonathan@Patronicity.com

Rachel Youngling, Mid-Cape Cultural Council, 617-605-7408
raorr@yahoo.com

MassDevelopment and the civic crowdfunding platform Patronicity have launched a new Commonwealth Places campaign with The Mid-Cape Cultural Council to create the HyArts Discovery Walk, a series of interactive outdoor sculptures near and on the Hyannis waterfront. The Walk is intended to reflect the natural beauty of Hyannis Harbor and improve resident and tourist enjoyment of the harbor and downtown area, which comprise the Hyannis Arts District.

“Cape Cod boasts a rich arts history and culture, and these outdoor sculptures will build a connection to businesses and highlight the natural and creative beauty present in Hyannis,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Lauren Liss. “We look forward to supporting this exciting project, which will help to boost the village’s downtown economy.”

The Walk will activate the village’s existing Walkway to the Sea with these new outdoor sculptures, designed to be interactive and educational. The experience will begin at Main Street on the beautiful village green, and then follow the wave-patterned brick path to Aselton Park and the waterfront, connecting the historic downtown area to the bustling waterfront.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $11,000 by June 16 at midnight, the project will win a matching grant with funds from MassDevelopment’s Commonwealth Places program. Learn more and donate at patronicity.com/DiscoveryWalk.

"The HyArts Discovery Walk will further enhance the Walkway to the Sea by connecting Hyannis Main Street to the Harbor,” said Rachel Youngling of Mid-Cape Cultural Council. “These specially commissioned sculptures will provide a way for visitors and residents to engage with the natural and cultural vitality of our beautiful downtown.”

Commonwealth Places is a collaborative initiative from MassDevelopment and Patronicity that leverages public support for placemaking projects through crowdfunding and a matching grant from MassDevelopment. The program engages residents in the development of strategic projects in their towns and cities. In June 2017, MassDevelopment announced $1 million in funding for the second year of the program, which has supported successful campaigns across the Commonwealth, from Northampton to Hyannis. Communities, nonprofits, and other entities can learn more about these successful projects, donate to ongoing campaigns, and apply at massdevelopment.com/commonwealthplaces.

MassDevelopment, the state’s finance and development agency, works with businesses, nonprofits, financial institutions, and communities to stimulate economic growth across the Commonwealth. During FY2017, MassDevelopment financed or managed 377 projects generating investment of more than $4.3 billion in the Massachusetts economy. These projects are projected to create about 9,488 jobs and build or rehabilitate 1,863 residential units.