Mayor Domenic J. Sarno is happy to announce that the Springfield Central Cultural District (SCCD) will be one of three statewide districts to launch Futurecity Massachusetts, a new approach to transforming cities that puts art, culture, and creativity at the center of redevelopment and revitalization. Futurecity Mass is a joint initiative of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and The Boston Foundation.
“Tying in arts and cultural initiatives with economic development is a natural fit that energizes business opportunities and profits too. With the $2.7 billion in economic development and the creation of our innovative and entrepreneurial district, this is an opportune time to move on Futurecity Mass,” said Mayor Sarno. He continued, “I am honored, thankful and appreciative to Anita Walker, London’s Mark Davy, and Scott Hanson of our city’s Economic Development department as we launch the first of its kind in the US.”
Futurecity Mass with work with Mayors, urban planners, and arts and business leaders in Boston, Worcester, and Springfield on key real estate projects in state-designated cultural districts in the three cities, targeting areas ready for development and job growth.
It is the first US effort to advance the strategies of Mark Davy and his London-based Futurecity, which has created more than 200 partnerships across the globe that reposition cultural assets from community amenities to marketplace drivers. Futurecity has been immersed in cultural placemaking projects for over a decade, and Davy believes that Futurecity Mass will secure Massachusetts’ global position as a cultural leader.
Davy is visiting Springfield today to meet and workshop with local cultural and economic development leaders. He will take knowledge from a walking tour of the Cultural District, extensive workshop, and general reception back to his UK team to review. In October, Futurecity will return to present a strategy to the Springfield public. The MCC hopes to eventually expand the program statewide.
The Springfield Central Cultural District encompasses an area of the metro center of Springfield, and is membership-based, involving many of the arts institutions Downtown. Its mission is to create and sustain a vibrant cultural environment in Springfield, MA.
