Amazing things transpire in the basement of this place.
While I spend a lot of time wandering around Haverhill’s downtown appreciating all it currently has to offer, I also like to stand on a corner, in a park, on the street, look around and imagine what downtown Haverhill might be someday. I see the continued success of our blossoming restaurant scene, with the addition of lots of shops, maybe a small art house screening room. I dream of seeing more business, more street art, more outdoor events, just more stuff in general to keep people coming back and hanging out.
No Parking- a common complaint in downtowns everywhere
I’m always interested in hearing what other people envision for Haverhill, so when I logged into Flickr this morning I got a pretty big kick out of finding this visionary comment from sandalbum14 on one of my downtown photos:
Personally, I think Merrimack and Washington streets should be pedestrian, the downtown area should be held together by more visible, trustworthy and present public transport. The buses are quite sketchy and have odd routes. I propose we bring back the streetcar, run on electricity, and the car will go the entire length of 125, from the N. Andover line to Stateline Plaza. There should also be two to three parking garages to house all the potential visitors to downtown area, and Haverhill should also get more people to LIVE in downtown. The in turn requires more services to be in hat area, like a grocery store, pharmacy and a household goods store. These businesses exist already in Haverhill, just not where they are needed most for the city to thrive. Putting these various regulations in place I strongly think will improve downtown greatly, but that’s just me 🙂
His idea of reviving the electric streetcars sounds pretty awesome, but also like a pretty impossible dream at this stage. Likewise, I think making so much of downtown pedestrian-only would be a pretty tough sell.
However, I think he hits on a really good point regarding services downtown. Sometimes I daydream about what it might take to convince some of the great already established businesses we have to move downtown.
What do you think downtown Haverhill’s ideal future might look like?
Pipe up in the comments. I’d love to hear everyone’s ideas!
Let’s start with things I don’t want:
1. I DON’T want to be Newburyport. Just because we have a river and a downtown doesn’t mean we can mimic what appears to be working down river.
2. I DON’T want Haverhill to become a bedroom community. I’m hoping for people to live here, not just move here because we have a commuter rail stop (or two). People who are going to invest time and personal equity into the community – not just sleep and commute here.
3. I DON’T want major retail in Downtown. It goes without saying that the only “downtown” that has major retail that I can think of is Kittery, ME – and I’m not quite sure that counts.
Now…what do I want?
1. How about a partnership with the two hotels in Haverhill, encouraging people to come from the outskirts to eat at the downtown restaurants? Coupons? Everyone loves coupons. Maybe the Chamber and/or the Restaurant District team up for a flyer full of coupons getting people downtown from the hotels?
2. Downtown Brochure? There are already great shops downtown – they just need to be promoted. Maybe the brochure is used at the hotels, but also see what it costs to get into the kiosks along Rte 495, 95 and 93 at the rest areas in MA AND NH.
3. Oh yea, more parking. But I suspect that’s coming with the building of the new garage. Here’s the thing about parking and downtown areas: there aren’t many downtown areas that don’t have a parking problem. To paraphrase a Haverhill City Councilor, “A downtown parking problem is a good problem to have.”
Keep up the good work Feeve!
ML
Marc- Portsmouth, NH is one example I can think of where there IS major retail downtown (The GAP, Starbucks, Stonewall Kitchen) and I think it works well in that case because the stores moved into existing buildings and fit in among the boutiques.
Great ideas!
Portsmouth is a good example of a lot of things (retail, waterfront, mixing old and new, a pretty neat community radio station…however, I digress.)
I’ve always said there is a night and day feeling when going from Washington Street (old buildings/lots of businesses) to Merrimack Street (old buildings, some of which need a serious face lift) Downtown doesn’t have to be just one street…I personally think any sort of revitalization that will take place needs to include Wingate Street and the Railroad Square area. From bridge to bridge, and a few blocks in between in my opinion.
A Starbucks could be interesting. Personally, if Dunkin’s wanted to put in a test kitchen/restaurant I’d be happier. Stonewall Kitchen? I believe Barretts Find Foods on Merrimack Street carries their delicious goodies. And who wouldn’t want The Gap next to a Scrubs store that also sells glass pipes for “tobacco use only” (grin!)
I know you mentioned those as examples of what works in Portsmouth…your point is well taken as I do my best to play devils advocate. An extreme effort must be made on the part of the City to encourage storefront revitalization in Downtown (dare I say beppers?). Federal grants? CBDG funding? Who knows…but before any serious revitalization will take place in downtown Haverhill, downtown Haverhill will have to begin to take itself seriously, and I’m not sure it’s ready to.
What building is show in the first picture? Is that above Peddlers? It’s a really cool looking building.
That building is one of my favorites downtown, and it’s right next door to the Tap. It used to be a multi-level antique shop, but right now it houses part of Haverhill Brewery’s operations in the basement, restrooms for the Tap on the first floor, and the other levels are vacant. I’ve heard a few different reports on plans for the rest of the space. But, it sounds like any potential development is on hold until the economy perks up a bit more.