LYNN — If you have been in downtown Lynn after dark recently, you may have noticed it is a little brighter.
The City, as part of its partnership with MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI), has installed decorative string lighting on several streets. In addition to additional illumination, the goal is for the lighting to create a more welcoming feel, which will in turn help with economic development.
“The newly installed decorative lighting is a welcoming addition that elevates the scenery of our downtown,” Mayor Jared Nicholson said. “Our goal is to heighten the experience in the area, creating a more inviting, safer feel for every resident and visitor.”
The LED lights are strung along a steel cable that connects to existing street lights. They do not run across driveways, and the bulbs are replaceable, according to Michael Donovan, director of Capital Projects for the City. The fact that they are LED – as are the street lights — also results in a minimal use of electricity.
The lighting has been installed on streets including: Broad, Central Square, Exchange, Mt. Vernon, Spring, Union, Washington, and Willow. MassDevelopment has done this in other communities, and it has been well received, Donovan said.
The project was proposed by the City’s former TDI fellow, Tristan Foley, who also helped the City implement $125,000 in grant funding for new signage, awnings and windows for downtown businesses earlier this year.
The City’s current TDI fellow, Luis Cotto, is running a photo contest on Instagram (creative_lynnma) to promote the new decorative lighting. The contest concludes on November 30 and winners will be announced during the first week of December.
Lynn is one of 13 Gateway Cities with a TDI fellow. TDI uses an accelerator model that commits intensive resources to a TDI district for a defined period of time. TDI uses a toolbox approach, implementing a range of programs based on partnership building and community engagement.
