BRATTLEBORO — With the demolition of the former Frankie's Pizza building and the filling-in and smoothing over of the building's footprint, Harmony Place sports a temporary new look.
A project of the nonprofit group Parks and Plazas Inc. - an off-shoot of the Brooks House development effort - Harmony Place now has a patch of green space and will host various pop-up activities this summer, according to a news release.
According to the release, however, this is just the beginning for the Harmony Place project. When completed, the site behind the Brooks House will have shaded planters, umbrella tables and chairs, a performance stage, and food vendors.
The Downtown Brattleboro Alliance, Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce, and local arts and culture organizations are in the process of collaborating on creating programs of music, art fairs, festivals, community movies, and live entertainment.
Meanwhile, according to project manager Gail Nunziata, Harmony Place is looking for food vendors and musicians “to enliven the space while we plan for the future.” Interested parties are invited to contact [email protected].
“The mission of Parks and Plazas Inc. is to create sustainable, fun, pedestrian-friendly outdoor spaces to invigorate downtown centers,” Nunziata said in the news release. “Harmony Place is being designed so community members and visitors will be drawn to our already well-known, historic downtown to join activities or simply relax in the shade. We want Harmony Place to have an important positive impact on the economy. The central location is key.”
Beautification and construction at Harmony Place will begin next spring. An event on May 31 marked the beginning of the fundraising phase to raise money for improvements.