“Housing is the hub—everything else connects to it,” says Mayor LaChapelle. “From access to services to expanding critical needs like daycare, it all starts with stable, affordable housing. And this isn’t just a mayor’s agenda—it’s a community-driven process.” ARTS, SUSTAINABILITY, AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS Easthampton’s arts sector faces an existential challenge. The loss of artist studios and maker spaces to property conversions threatens the creative economy that defines the city’s character. Public art installations dot downtown sidewalks, but maintaining affordable workspace requires new strategies. “We’ve lost some vital artist studios and maker spaces simply because property owners changed course,” Mayor LaChapelle acknowledges. “We took our creative community for granted—especially those who are underrepresented and self-funded. Inspiration and talent are universal, but we lost sight of the fact that creative expression needs physical 133 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07 EASTHAMPTON, MA
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