Fitchburg’s historic city hall (Image source: Doug Kerr, Flikr)
Renovation of city hall: This historic structure, originally built in 1853, has sat vacant for some time—city departments are instead located at another building adjacent to downtown. A feasibility study was done prior to the workshop, but the city has since decided to move ahead with identifying funding for a full renovation. This project would allow Fitchburg’s city hall to return it to its original function. This project is both a sound historic preservation decision and an economic development driver working in concert with other downtown projects.
Fitchburg Theater Block: This project along Main Street—and across the street from Fitchburg’s historic city hall—is now in the first phase of construction and renovation. Fitchburg State University (FSU) has purchased the buildings along this block, including the theater itself, and will be opening an “Idea Lab” that combines coworking space for entrepreneurs with a computer gaming laboratory for FSU students in their video game design program. The project is expected to generate significant downtown foot traffic from students, faculty, and the general public. Future phases of the project will include the renovation of the historic 1,600 seat Fitchburg Theater and seven commercial storefronts on the same block. Fitchburg’s partnership with FSU—which is located about a mile away—has been critical to making this happen.