LaChapelle, who has led the city since 2017.“You do feel like you’re coming into some special place. You can see the church steeples and the historic mills that are being restored.The view shed is almost like a typical New England town.” That carefully preserved vista leads directly into the Cottage Street Cultural District, where locally owned shops line streets that have anchored the community since its incorporation in 1785.The district functions as the gateway to a city that has deliberately chosen authenticity over artifice.A luthier that also offers free live music most evenings sits alongside restaurants operating since the 1950s. Local craftspeople display their work steps away from Nashawannuck Pond, with City Hall presiding over the scene. “Once you come into the town, you’ll drive right into a cultural district that is full of small shops, most of them locally owned,” Mayor LaChapelle explains.” That has a real belonging to it. By nature of that road, you feel like you’re drawn into it. You’re going into the center of a very special place.” A DOWNTOWN BUILT FOR EVERYONE Easthampton’s downtown defies conventional urban planning wisdom. Within walking distance, residents can pay a parking ticket, access medical services, car parts, groceries, banking and fishing without ever starting a car.This concentration of essential services shows deliberate planning that prioritizes residents over tourists. “Our downtown really is built for residents. You can walk from the senior center to get socks and seasonal supplies, to get your groceries, to come down and get medical services all within a sixteenth of a mile,” Mayor LaChapelle emphasizes.“We’ve really focused on that because we want the downtown area to be welcoming and helpful for people, proof that they belong here.” The approach distinguishes Easthampton from neighboring college towns that court upscale retailers. Chain stores like Advanced Auto Parts and 7-Eleven anchor the commercial district alongside independent businesses. The mix serves the city’s median household income of $72,925 while maintaining accessibility for all residents. Educational services and healthcare remain the largest employment sectors, supporting over 2,600 jobs combined. “We do not aspire to be a college town with quaint, upper middle class focused stores. It’s an every person downtown,” Mayor LaChapelle states. “Take a look at our Main Street—within just a sixteenth of a mile, you’ll find our library, shops, banks, and our 127 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07 EASTHAMPTON, MA
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