The ReImagine North of Main (RNOM) project received over $2 million to transform the North of Main neighborhood in Fitchburg into a vibrant community where people want to live, work, play and invest. The overall theme was to brand the neighborhood as the “Gateway to Arts and Culture.” The project focused on three key areas: Neighborhood Development to increase the quality of neighborhood life; Economic Development to increase the number of viable main street businesses; and Community Engagement.

Transformative pipeline projects were identified including renovating the former B.F. Brown school for artist housing to create the Fitchburg Arts Community for artists to live and work. Another component involved the renovation of a long-vacant theater which Fitchburg State University is restoring. They also created the IdeaLab, which will include a state-of-the-art game design studio for its students, the first of its kind in a public institution in the Northeast. The Fitchburg Arts Community will have 68 housing units, 70% of which will be affordable to attract artists. The building is scheduled for occupancy in early 2025.

The successful implementation of RNOM generated funding for other initiatives. Fitchburg finished a $23.5 million renovation to City Hall in 2020 and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners granted the Fitchburg library a $12.4 million grant in 2023 to renovate the building.

2015-2020

Total Granted:

$2,130,328

Reimagine North of Main Final Evaluation Report December 2020

News
◊ Fitchburg’s Artistic Legacy Drives Downtown’s Economic Development Efforts
Worcester Business Journal, October 3, 2022
◊ Mobile Fitchburg market comes to North of Main
Sentinel & Enterprise, June 8, 2020
◊ Fund Drive Aims for Fitchburg Alley Makeover
Worcester Telegram & Gazette, May 9, 2019
◊ BF Brown topping-off ceremony in Fitchburg (Video)
Worcester Telegram & Gazette, November 27, 2018
◊ Bringing a building back to life in Fitchburg
Sentinel & Enterprise, November 27, 2018
◊ Former Fitchburg school sold for residential project
Worcester Business Journal, July 25, 2018
◊ Initiative gives boost to Fitchburg downtown transformation
Sentinel & Enterprise, May 4, 2018
◊ Fitchburg council backs sale of former school for artist studios
Sentinel & Enterprise, April 12, 2018