 |
|
City forges partnership with UMD business school
around New Bedford economy
By Eileen Peacock Dr. Peacock, Dean of the Charlton
College of Business at UMass Dartmouth
 The
Charlton College of Business recently partnered with New
Bedford Mayor Scott Lang's office on an exciting
approach to problem solving. In January 2007, a group of
14 UMass Dartmouth master of business administration
students worked closely with the mayor's office and the
New Bedford Economic Development Council to bring
concepts of innovation and creativity to real-world
problems. It was a fine example of a learning
partnership between a city and a business school, one
that generated fresh ideas and gave a group of graduate
business students a chance to apply lessons learned to
urban problems.
As dean of the Charlton College of Business, I worked
with Mayor Lang to help jump-start this program. I
appreciate Mayor Lang's willingness to allow our
students to use the city as their laboratory. Our
business graduate students worked hard to give value to
the city. They met every evening for three weeks in City
Hall, occupying the fourth-floor loft space, listening,
thinking, brainstorming, planning, creating and
innovating around three projects associated with three
inner-city business districts.
The challenge for the class was to generate ideas for
improving the business climate and infrastructure for
the North End, South End and central business districts
of New Bedford.
The students had a fast-paced three weeks to learn the
concepts of creativity and then to apply what they had
learned. Their leader was Garry Clayton, a visiting
professor with a variety of experiences in the
application of strategic and innovation concepts. He was
an ideal professor for this class because he is not a
native of SouthCoast and therefore came to us with the
fresh perspective needed to innovate. Professor Clayton
challenged the students to think "outside the box." The
students responded well by developing great ideas that
ultimately could benefit the business environment of the
city.
Three general approaches emerged, using the strengths of
each district while looking at new opportunities to
pursue.
The North End group decided to leverage off the existing
strengths. For example, one group proposed the creation
of a "Little Portugal," drawing upon the strengths of
existing business arrangements and the proximity of the
water.
As is the case when bright people are encouraged to
share their thoughts and opinions, brainstorming sparked
many exciting ideas. The merits of beautification
projects along Interstate 195 and Route 18 were
discussed. The idea was that creative landscaping would
be welcoming to visitors approaching the city. Better
and increased signs to highlight what the city has to
offer also would draw visitors who would spend their
money in the city. Some thought that an open-air
pavilion in River Front Park to host parties and music
events would attract crowds to the area. Other ideas
included a bike path along the waterfront, possibly
interlocking with the Fairhaven bike path; and
developing Acushnet Avenue, making it for pedestrians
only, creating an entrance to the area. Students also
examined the idea of creating city ordinances to enhance
attractiveness of the area and align city departments to
the goals of business development to ensure upkeep of
revitalization efforts.
The Central business group looked for opportunities to
connect the administrative, heritage and waterfront
areas. For example, this group suggested creating
additional green space to link areas of that district.
For the longer term, our students envisioned creation of
dormitory space for university students and development
of a new library with a cultural center offering
creative spaces for podcasting, art studios and drama
practice areas. These ideas would increase foot traffic
in the city and allow small businesses to flourish.
The South End group focused on creating attractive areas
and finding ways to inform visitors about its amenities.
It was suggested that a "gateway" could inform visitors
about beaches and waterfront areas.
Again, beautification was a theme. The Cove Road beach
area, the mills on Rodney French Boulevard, the vacant
parcel on Orchard Street, the Orpheum Theater and an
overall maintenance beautification plan were all fair
game. Our students discussed plans for Cove Road that
included creating a park where the hurricane barrier
stands, hiding the barrier with gently sloping areas,
creating an amphitheater, and on the water side a
boardwalk, and a floating boat dock for people to enjoy
the water.
The mills on East Rodney French Boulevard were seen as a
perfect place for a school offering trade training. And
the restoration of the Orpheum Theater, along with
enhanced dining opportunities, was discussed as a key to
bringing visitors in the evenings.
The class also made some global recommendations, such as
extending the bike path from the North End to the South
End and adding trolley service to connect parts of the
city that are divided by highways.
These MBA students came away from the class exhilarated
by their work and interaction with city officials,
recognizing that with some creative approaches, there is
great potential and great business development
opportunities for the city of New Bedford.
Date of Publication: February 14, 2007 on Page A16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
