Home Sweet Home

In Leominster an effort is underway to transform vacant factories and large blocks of black top into neighborhoods. (read the link quick, it goes away in 14 days)

"I live in Rockwell Village," she (Barbara Rodriguez) said of her neighborhood. A year ago, Rodriguez might have said she lived on Adams Street, by Pleasant Street or near downtown.

But the city has worked hard to create a sense of community pride in the neighborhood -- composed of Adams, Pearl, Cotton, West and Pleasant streets -- where well-kept homes are interspersed with hulking, vacant factories and stretches of blacktop.

Officials started the process by giving the neighborhood the Rockwell Village name.

Branding a neighborhood with a name is a good idea. Gives people a sense of belonging and ownership. What would be even better, is that if people could actually afford the housing, instead of putting in more rentals. Leominster has plans for that as well:

The city's second goal is to replace neighborhood's run-down factory buildings with moderately priced homes and more green space.

This is great news, and I hope they can accomplish it. I also hope that they are putting aside "affordable" housing along with the "moderately" priced stock. Right here though, is the money shot, from Leominster Mayor, Dean Mazzarella:

"It would be really tough to see commercial with all the kids in the area," he said. "Plus, you won't even need a car living there. You're right downtown. It'll create great walking traffic for local businesses."

Right, on! I would LOVE to live in a place where I didn't have to own a car. If I was looking for a place to live, I would definitely give Leominster a look. Improving neighborhoods, and providing more green space is an investment in community that benefits everyone.