LYNN — A new downtown beautification initiative led by Lynn Main Streets is set to bring fresh color and renewed energy to the city’s core, as the volunteer-run organization launches a free planter program for local storefronts later this spring.
The effort is one of several designed to create a more vibrant, welcoming atmosphere downtown while supporting small businesses and fostering community pride. Lynn Main Streets, founded in 2020 by Samantha Wheeler, Carolyn Cole, and Tia Cole, is a grassroots economic development group focused on revitalizing Lynn’s historic business district.
“This has been in the works for years,” Wheeler said, who continues to run the organization as a volunteer. “It’s about taking pride in our downtown and giving businesses something that makes their entrances more inviting — something that reflects the pride we already see in this community.”
The sidewalk planter program will provide 10 downtown businesses with large seasonal flower displays, designed and maintained by JC Grounds Management. The planters will be refreshed three times a year and placed in front of eligible brick-and-mortar businesses in the city’s cultural district. There is no cost to participate, and the application deadline is May 10. The planters are expected to be installed by the end of May.
Wheeler said the idea for the planter program came from similar projects in other Main Streets programs across the country. “It’s a small but visible way to show care for the area and make the downtown experience better for everyone,” she said. “We want it to be simple — businesses sign up, we place and maintain the planters, and everyone benefits.”
The initiative is being funded through federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars awarded to Lynn Main Streets via the city. Wheeler said the group’s approach is intentionally inclusive — avoiding membership dues and offering services for free by relying on grants and public partnerships.
The timing of the rollout aligns with a broader push by city officials to enhance downtown cleanliness and appeal. The city’s Department of Public Works has launched Friday cleanups, and the planter program is being coordinated to complement those efforts.
Mayor Jared C. Nicholson praised the initiative in a statement, calling it a smart and collaborative investment in the community.
“We understand the importance of creating a welcoming environment for those who live, work, and visit the City,” Nicholson said. “The downtown beautification effort will play an important role in those efforts. We are pleased to make this most worthwhile investment in our community and are excited for collaboration with city departments.”
In addition to the planter project, Lynn Main Streets is part of a state-supported partnership through MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI), which is funding a storefront improvement program. That effort will assist multiple businesses along Union Street with façade upgrades and design improvements.
Founded just as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in early 2020, Lynn Main Streets had to delay or adapt many of its original plans. Now, with public health restrictions lifted and new partnerships in place, Wheeler said the group is eager to deliver on its original vision.
“The pandemic hit right as we launched, so we had to regroup,” she said. “But this planter program is one of the first ideas we had, and it feels great to finally bring it to life.”
Lynn Main Streets operates under a nationally recognized four-pronged framework used by Main Street organizations across the U.S.: economic vitality, design, promotion, and organization. These pillars guide the group’s efforts to support local businesses, attract investment, and create a strong downtown identity.
Wheeler, who previously worked for the Greater Lynn Chamber of Commerce, co-founded the group with Carolyn Cole — now at the Massachusetts Cultural Council — and Tia Cole, now with Creative Collective. While her co-founders have since taken on new roles, Wheeler remains deeply involved and committed to Lynn.
“I may not live in Lynn anymore, but it still has my heart,” she said. “This community raised me in a lot of ways. Supporting downtown and creating opportunities for people here feels like giving back.”
More information about the planter program and Lynn Main Streets is available at lynnmainstreets.org. Details about the TDI partnership can be found at massdevelopment.com.
