7 Additions I want to see in
Downtown Berwick: A path to a vibrant and prosperous
village center.
Author: James
Peter Bellissimo
Photo credit: GLA, A Division of BETA Group, Inc.
It’s not everyday a village has an opportunity to create a downtown
from scratch.
Have high aspirations folks!
Because innovative,
sustainable ideas that solve problems attract major funding. There are millions
(more on this in future articles) of dollars
in Grant money available. The issue is not financial; it is a challenge of
vision and creativity, which we all encompass.
These additions serve
to spark a whole new local economy that Berwick hasn’t seen before, which could
create enough opportunity to employ and sustain local village members.
Initiatives like a Wellness Center and Music Amphitheater help to bring people
in town, serving as a central draw that other local businesses can thrive of
off.
These additions are
designed to beautify our environment and bring people together, giving
community members a comfortable and most importantly a meaningful way to interact.
So without further
ado, here are my top 7 things I’d like to see added to Berwick’s downtown area:
#7 New Welcome
to Berwick signs
How about something we can
get done right away?
Questions:
Coming across the
Somersworth/Berwick Bridge, what are some things that we could add that add to
the town’s aesthetics? What would you want to see removed?
What kind of welcome sign
would you like to see?
Some notable responses from the survey:
“Where the river
meets recreation.”
“Where you always feel at home.”
“A Place to Build Memories.”
#6 Public
transportation
I want to see convenient and comfortable
public transportation to spots like Portland, ME, I say Portland because I go
to school there, (add wherever you’d like to go as well.) It’s about connecting to other towns.
While it may not make sense
at first to give people an easy option to leave Berwick, the idea is that our
vision will create enough interest for people to actually want to come into
town.
How’s this for a marketing campaign:
Escape the city; come to
Berwick, a fresh breath of air.
Give people an option to take
a bus into town = less cars = less traffic, more walking and this means more
business for local shops.
#5 Berwick Resource Center
Much like the library, where you can go to and “rent,” but instead of
books or movies, you’d be renting essential equipment, tools and machines that
help get stuff done around your house or for the community. Having these
resources readily available, open access, allows for things to get done in the
moment. And besides, not every single person in our 7,000+ member community
needs a screwdriver right? Not just limited to tools either, how about
exchanging skills?
How valuable would it be to have local skill-trades? Want to learn about
carpentry? Great, Mr. _____ has been doing it for 25 years, oh you have a skill
to offer the town? Awesome, let’s share our gifts and learn to exchange
locally.
Photo credit: Century 21 Newson Associates
Potential Location: 25
Sawmill Hill Road
Potential
other uses for this building: Restaurant, Function Facility, School (Day Care,
Pre-school, Dance, Ballet, Yoga, Gymnastics, Karate), Retail (Grocery, Gym etc.),
Town Recreation area and facility.
This location is right across
the street from the Salmon Falls River!
#4 Intellectual
Café
A place you go to cultivate ideas. The whole environment is set up for collaboration and inspiration. Also a place where you can grab something delicious and healthy!
A place you go to cultivate ideas. The whole environment is set up for collaboration and inspiration. Also a place where you can grab something delicious and healthy!
#3 Berwick Rec Center
I play basketball. It’s a great way to build instant connections,
community is found through common unions. How much could our local athletes benefit from
having a place to play sports? Maybe something like the USM field house in
Gorham Maine. You could also do track, indoor soccer. Hold tournaments and
competitions for all ages. This building could double as a Wellness Center, something
like Health Food Store and Yoga By Donation in Portsmouth.
Photo credit: University Of Southern Maine
#2 Greenway trail system
A greenway trail system, accessible to bikes and horses, would be a
unique and pleasing way to get to different points of the downtown area. Connecting
the library, Berwick Rec Fields, new Resource Center and Rec Center;) and
Downtown, throughout the town.
During the winter, we could get around by snowshoe and XC skiing.
Trail connections could also connect to neighboring towns
#1 Berwick Outdoor Amphitheater
Human expression, music brings people together, it
transcends perceived differences. It’s a tool that has been used since, well
ever by our species to connect. This amphitheater would serve as a central draw
for the downtown area. Local restaurants, specialty shops in Berwick would
majorly benefit from 500-1,000 people in town.
Potential Cultural Event:
How cool would a New Year’s Winter Music/Arts
festival be in town?!
Could you see something
like this in town?
Comparison: Cochecho Arts Festival – Dover NH
“The Friday Night Headliner Concerts are the signature Series
of the Festival, with average crowds ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 per
night. Music lovers of all ages flock to Henry Law Park (Corner of
Washington St and Henry Law Ave) with picnic blankets, lawn chairs, friends and
family to enjoy music in a setting that truly epitomizes the charm and sense of
community found only in New England cities as vibrant and historic as Dover.” Source
What about our rural culture?
What would you rather see?
Photo Credit: St. Germain Collins Environmental Consulting Group
Photo Credit: Statesman Journal / Timothy J. Gonzalez
The additions suggested keep in mind
that we want to stay away from overdeveloping and looking like a concrete mess.
Comfort, sustainability and aesthetics are extremely important.
“Do we have the “market to
make these additions tangible?”
We have 10,000 cars that
drive through our town daily to get
somewhere to do something that’s obviously vacant from our town. There are
50,000+ people within a 25-mile radius of our town.
“What about parking and
traffic flow?”
Needless to say, this is essential
to figure out. We attempted to address in these challenges in this initial sketch,
which was completed after our first Charette on May 2nd . If you have any ideas,
please to share!
There’s so much more to
discuss!
I hope this article got you
thinking about what’s truly possible! But of course these are just
possibilities. To make stuff like this happen it will require our town to get
on the same page! I’ve seen some amazing things already in our community and
I’m inspired. I’ve called Berwick my home for my entire life of 24 years and
intend to stay.
We’re a gateway to Maine,
let’s be a shining example of what a vibrant community looks like!
Until next time,
James
Do you agree? Disagree? I
would love to hear your comments.
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