Progress in Year 2: In-Fill Housing Developments, Workforce Training for the Blue Economy, Community "Build Your Block" Placemaking Project
Since 2022, MassDevelopment has been active in Hyannis through the Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Fellow program, a three-year initiative to promote economic and community development in the downtown area. A strong partnership has been established between the Town of Barnstable’s Planning and Development department, the Hyannis Main Street BID, the Greater Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce, the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and Arts organizations (The Cordial Eye, Hyannis Film Festival and Hyannis HyArts Campus), with direction from TDI fellow, Josie Santos.
Hyannis TDI Year 2 Review
Hyannis Village Green Concept Plan
MassDevelopment worked with Toole Design to gather community input to inform the creation of concept plans for updates to the Hyannis Village Green and how its use connects to the surrounding neighborhood in keeping with the nautical character of Hyannis.
Housing Talk @ Hyannis JFK Museum
A group of forty local developers, property owners and businesses attended a workshop presented by town officials and representatives from MassDevelopment’s Finance Agency. The event connected housing developers, construction professionals, realtors, property and business owners, and other stakeholders and featured a panel discussion about housing opportunities, resources, and development experiences in Hyannis. This construction workshop, along with new Downtown Zoning regulations and a streamlined permitting process, yielded dozens of new inquiries from property owners regarding the possibilities of redeveloping properties within the District. Outcomes: 190 new units and 200 jobs were created.
Hyannis Main Street Real Estate Attraction Brochure
On April 1st the business community came together to discuss Downtown Hyannis projects and a recap of the work done by retail expert, Michael Berne, for the Hyannis Business Improvement District to create a new business attraction brochure.
Façade Improvement Program Continues
Made possible through funding from a MassDevelopment Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Local Grant and continuing the effort from 2023, the Town of Barnstable’s Planning and Development Department worked collaboratively with the Hyannis Main Street BID to plan and manage the $115,000 grant program, supporting 14 small businesses to improve the aesthetics of their storefronts with projects that include new signage, awnings, planters, and other attractive exterior improvements. Through additional matching funds provided by participating businesses, this funding resulted in over $150,000 dollars in new investment to the downtown Hyannis area.
Intro Crew Training Course @ Brazilian Resource Center (formerly the Health Ministry) at 70 Center Street in Hyannis
The District hosted the first Fishermen Skills Training Program facilitated by the Brazilian Resources Center, formerly the Health Ministry Inc. This collaboration between the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance (CCCFA) and TDI MassDevelopment is an important step to building a more resilient year-round economy and signals a brightening for the local Blue Economy. Experienced fishermen, certified marine safety trainers from Fathom Resources, and local fisheries experts teamed up to conduct an introductory-level course led by Fishermen’s Alliance staff. The curriculum includes an overview of local fisheries, crew responsibilities and expectations, certification in at-sea safety/survival, basic knot tying, different gear types, Coast Guard rules and regulations, and more. The group had 14 students in attendance. The intention was to prepare them for sea/vessel emergencies and job opportunities. Cape and Islands District Attorney Rob Galibois, and Barnstable Fire Department's CAPT/ EMT-P, Lieutenant Michael Dalmau, were also at the site. The students learned skills of survival including donning survival suits in open water. All received their certificates and eight individuals of the 14 are now employed by locally owned businesses, including work in the fishing industry onshore.
MassDevelopment Division Day "Envisioning a Robust Year-Round Economy in Hyannis" at Hyannis JFK Museum
More than 35 participants attended to review the work of Hyannis’ team and brainstormed, using Chat GPT to collect relevant case study examples from other communities, including feedback from Fellows in the current 13 Gateway Communities that are involved with TDi around the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Discussing case study communities that showcase success stories in subverting challenges, allowed the group to explore a broad range of possibilities for the third and final year of the Fellowship. The goal is to create a work plan for the team’s final year with MassDevelopment: to both define and refine objectives for completion and create goals for the future.
Building Your Block – A Place at the Table
Twelve plywood blocks were fabricated and painted by community members at various open summer events to spawn discussion and awareness of civic action in local government decisions. The project is made possible by MassDevelopment’s CoHort grant to stimulate district creative placemaking, civic engagement and economic development. Box fabrication was completed by students at Cape Cod Regional Technical High School and art direction is via local Barnstable artists and residents Beverley Roberts and Gabe Ribiero. Planning and Community Development themes of note: transportation, local businesses, housing, ecology, beautification and arts and culture all contribute to community development of ‘place’. The 12 blocks, ranging in various sizes from 18” to 36” square, when placed together, illustrate a collective Hyannis Main Street skyline and the blocks will soon grace district open spaces and Main Street businesses for the Fall season. This is grass roots involvement is collaborative and engages youth to express the mission and necessity of community voice in town planning efforts.
