City's Placemaking Forum

Squares and commercial districts are important spaces for gathering as a community. Placemaking is the concept of making these spaces more interesting and memorable locations to visit, which can improve the quality of these public areas and increase foot traffic for local businesses. Placemaking can include almost anything: events, public art, activities, performances, benches, and planters.

How do these cool things happen? There are several different models, from Main Streets organizations to grassroots business associations to resident advocacy to Business Improvement Districts and everything in between.

At this event, we will hear from three people who work tirelessly to ensure their districts are places people want to be:

• Jason Alvez, Executive Director of East Cambridge Business Association
• Jessica Eshleman, Executive Director of Union Square Main Streets
• Michael Monestime, Executive Director of the Central Square Business Improvement District

Panelists will share how their models work and lessons they've learned from years of supporting their business districts. There will be plenty of time for questions as well as networking.