Burkis Square Betterment Project

Downtown Framingham, Inc. is teaming up with New England Security Protective Services Agency to provide services to 40 downtown businesses owners in Burkis Square, many of whom are women of color. We're working to make this mixed-use area extra welcoming and vibrant this summer for our customers and shop keepers, alike, as our downtown marketing surveys reflect that most downtown businesses cater their goods and services toward a family audience. 

Our detail will kick-off on Monday, July 15, and we've already raised enough money to cover 2 weeks of service! 


Link: downtownframinghaminc.org/burkissquare 

This neutral Downtown Engagement Team will:
- greet downtown patrons,
- engage and build relationships with shopkeepers,
- greet and build relationships with individuals outside,
- motivate everyone to portray a pleasant, calm shopping area,
- preserve clear entryways,
- make phone calls to the City,
- accompany customers to their vehicles,
- share daily reports of actions and observations with FPD and SMOC
- hand out shopping maps, and
- help our most deserving (and sometimes overlooked) shopkeepers feel extra comfortable!


Goals:
 At least 15 women-run businesses in this one-block area can heighten their productivity and usher in more customers to reach their small business goals.  A higher return on investment for businesses means they can hire more workers, spreading community wealth and a higher quality of life throughout this area. Thank you for supporting Burkis Square! DFI will conduct a business climate survey in late summer/early fall to gauge effectiveness.

Accountability:
- Summer Business Climate Survey
- Track calls to police and fire departments
- Release weekly reports of accomplishments of the detail, including every call placed and result of action

Not convinced? A few stats from 2018:

- 146 ambulance calls were placed to the Hollis/Irving Streets intersection
- 189 police calls were placed to the Hollis / Irving Streets intersection
- 87% of small businesses in the Central Business District located south of Route 135 stated that their own clients were often too afraid to come to their stores

109 cities across the country have invested in positive change! Let's make sure Framingham is the next!


This investment can deliver an urgently needed,  dramatic change to our area!