Downtown Gardner Progress Announcement Released 8-12-25
The City of Gardner released a short announcement from Downtown Gardner featuring 4 speakers: State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik, Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson, Community Development and Planning Director Jason Stevens, and City Councilor Brad Heglin. Listen on any device, CLICK PLAY.
Both State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik and Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson spoke about the public and private investments in Downtown Gardner. The Mayor complimented Community Development and Planning Director Jason Stevens who also spoke about assessing current and future needs in the City of Gardner. City Councilor Brad Heglin spoke on behalf of the entire Gardner City Council on the progress in the City.
State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik stated: “Good afternoon. I’m very happy to be out here in front of City Hall in historic downtown Gardner to mark a milestone. The city and the state government has partnered on the redevelopment of downtown Gardner for many years now. In the last five years, that’s really hit the accelerator due to the leadership of Mayor Nicholson, but tens of millions of dollars have been invested from the city, the state, and importantly, and the biggest contributor, the private sector, in buying and repurposing and redeveloping buildings in downtown, bringing them back to commercial use, and importantly, back on the tax rolls...These these projects include infrastructure improvements, improvements to the buildings themselves, additions of new park spaces in downtown, and the biggest single one, the redevelopment of Rear Main, which the city and state have been working on for well over a decade now. But with the demolition of the Rome Square block, nearly completing the redevelopment of the corridor from Route 2 into that entrance of downtown, we thought this was an important milestone to mark and take stock of the improvements that we’ve been able to make through this partnership in downtown Gardner. And we’re nowhere near done. I wouldn’t even say that we’re halfway done. There’s a lot of work to go and a lot more investment to bring to downtown.”
Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson stated: “…We really have a lot to be proud of the work that we’ve been able to accomplish together in Gardner, and a team with our legislative delegation, the City Council, our team here in City Hall. Really, this has been a full press effort to make sure that Gardner is continuing to move forward, particularly in our downtown. I think of where we’re standing today, and just behind me, is a building that four years ago owed the city of over $600,000 in back taxes that now is currently under construction to be redeveloped. And that’s just one example of the work that we’ve been doing in the downtown….And that’s been the biggest goal that we’ve been having here, is breathing new life into the area, breathing a new sense of community, a new sense of pride, a new spirit of home right here in the middle of our city….You look at the projects that are on this map, and looking at what we’ve invested into the city through our grant funds from the state and federal government through our own funding that we’ve been able to provide for these projects. And then you match that up with the building permits that have happened over the last three, four years. For the private sector projects that are happening in the downtown, our investment has been matched by over $31 million of private investment here in the downtown, and that’s right from the data that we get from the source, from the permit applications that we get here too. We’ve shown that when we invest in ourselves, we set the stage and set the example for others to follow and give them a reason to invest in us too. And that’s really been the motto that’s driven us over the course of the last year.“
Director of Community Development and Planning Jason Stevens stated: “As the Director of Community Development and Planning, I want to take a moment to express my genuine appreciation for the support and partnership that has helped us move forward with so many meaningful projects here in Gardner. From infrastructure investments, land redevelopments, to thoughtful, long-range planning initiatives, my department is always striving to not only address today’s needs, but also laying the groundwork for a stronger, vibrant, and more resilient Gardner.…I want to also take a quick highlight for my incredible team behind these efforts, because I am not a one-man department. They are constantly bringing fresh insight and energy to the table, and I believe Gardner is a better place with them behind many of the projects that you’ve seen progressing.
City Councilor Brad Heglin stated: “It’s a real honor and pleasure to speak today on behalf of the entire City Council and Council President George Tyros. I do want to take a moment to thank Rep Zlotnik. I think his partnership at the state level has been so important for everything we’re doing here in the City of Gardner, and our changes not only in securing grants or earmarks, but also in making sure that private entities who are investing in Gardner can navigate state departments and bureaucracy to bring these products to fruition. And of course, our Mayor too. When he assumed office five years ago, he brought a lot of needed vision and energy that I think we were sorely lacking in the city, and we saw those sort of seeds of growth be planted and nurtured, and they’re starting to come about today. A lot of buildings have come down, a lot of blight has been renovated in our Downtown area, new places have opened up, and it’s been a really exciting time in Gardner. For me, the most development I’ve seen in my life and in my time here in Gardner.”