HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3664        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3405

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Gailanne M. Cariddi

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act establishing Massachusetts Cultural Corridors.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3664        FILED ON: 1/20/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3405

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

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An Act establishing Massachusetts Cultural Corridors.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.Chapter 10 of the general laws as appearing in the 2014 official edition is hereby amended by inserting after Section 58A the following section:-

Section 58B. There shall be .

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:-

“Cultural Corridor” a linear geographic expanse consisting of a significant cluster of prominent cultural institutions which collectively anchor and drive the immediate local economy by further aligning existing enterprises and nurturing future cultural, historical, educational, creative and hospitality ventures.

(b) A cultural corridor shall be a geographical area of the commonwealth with a concentration of cultural facilities located within it. Cultural corridors shall attract artists and cultural enterprises to a region, encourage business and job development, establish tourist destinations, preserve and reuse historic buildings, enhance property values and foster local cultural development.

(c) The overall purpose of the cultural corridor designation is to recognize the unique cultural and recreational resources along the corridor.  Specific purposes include the preservation of the cultural character of the corridor, improvement of highway safety features, expansion of economic opportunities for businesses and municipalities located along the corridor and development of a balanced tourism program.

(d) Executive branch agencies, constitutional offices and quasi-governmental agencies including, but not limited to, the council and historic preservation programs, shall review and revise regulations and other economic development tools, including the evaluative criteria of such historic preservation programs, in order to support and encourage the development and success of state-designated cultural corridors.

(e) The department of transportation shall erect and maintain suitable markers bearing the designation herein in compliance with the standards of the department and any existing historic preservation guidelines or statutes.

SECTION 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1 herein, the area along or near state highway 2 from Field Park in the town of Williamstown and the intersection of state highway 2 and Beaver Street east of the city of North Adams city center as well as the downtown districts of the town Williamstown including Spring Street and Water Street and the city of North Adams including Main Street and Eagle Street and the area along state highway 8 including Curran Memorial Highway in the city of North Adams and Howland Avenue and Park Street in the town of Adams to the corner of state highway 8 and Grove Street south of the town of Adams town center shall be designated and known as the North Berkshire Cultural Corridor.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its passage.