Public Meetings Set for Star Store’s Future in New Bedford

The Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston is joining with New Bedford Creative to sponsor three public meetings to gather ideas and comments on renovating and restoring the historic Star Store building in Downtown New Bedford.

The council acquired the building earlier this year, after a lease agreement involving developer Paul Downey and the state expired, and UMass officials moved its College of Visual and Performing Arts to a location in Dartmouth, near its main campus.

A $5M–$8M Restoration Plan

The Arts and Business Council plans to spend anywhere from $5 million to $8 million to make repairs and restore the building to provide space for the arts community, plus some art-related retail shops on the street level.

Matt McArthur, Director of Real Estate and Fundraising, spoke about some of the latest concepts surrounding the project, and the importance of three community engagement sessions coming up in September.

Why Community Input Matters

"We want to spend the majority of the time listening and collecting information from community members as to what they want to see when they visit the Star Store building in the future," McArthur said. "Folks will be able to brainstorm their ideas and share them with us. Really, it's all about listening to community members."

"We'll be sharing some concepts, but none of it is final," he said. "We will be sharing some ideas so that people can respond to them."

Public Meeting Dates and Locations

The community engagement sessions will be held at the following dates, times and places:

September 15, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Steeple Playhouse, William Street, New Bedford
September 23, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Verdean Vets Hall, Purchase Street, New Bedford
September 29, 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Downtown Free Public Library, Pleasant Street, New Bedford.

The public is invited to all three sessions.

A Complex But Vital Project

The Arts and Business Council has done similar projects all over the Commonwealth, but McArthur said the Star Store may be its most complex renovation. The Council hopes to raise the funds to get it done.

"Our interests are aligned with the public in New Bedford," McArthur said. "If we don't make something that people care about or bond with and want to go to often, then we won't be successful."

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Gallery Credit: Tim Weisberg