On Thursday evening last week, the band El Frente’s live music filled Gerrish Avenue and Highland Street. Rather than a disruptive house party warranting police intervention, this was a community concert taking place in the Box District – and the district’s planners, city officials and developers envision similar events eventually occurring in a planned 13,000 sq. ft. park. Positioned at the corner of Gerrish, Highland and Library, this park would feature a fountain, performance space, quiet zones and a children’s playground. The site itself – currently a long-vacant, weed-covered lot with a troubled history – once housed the Standard Brass Factory decades ago.
According to City Planners, the project carries an estimated cost of $720,000. The city is pursuing $500,000 through the state’s PARC Grant program, which would require a local contribution of $220,000. City Planner John DePriest explained that the state funding application deadline is July 15th, with final preparations underway. “We’ve always done well in getting these grants,” said DePriest. “We have a good relationship with the state because we perform well.” Regarding the timeline, the city indicated that construction could be completed by June 2012 should the grant be awarded. DePriest and City Manager Jay Ash have expressed optimism about their chances.
The Box District will host its next community concert on Aug. 4 at 6 p.m. While the new park won’t yet be complete, the event will still offer residents reason to gather and celebrate.