The 150,000-square-foot Star Store building in New Bedford, MA, vacant since 2023, will be redeveloped into a regional hub for the arts, city officials announced. The Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston (A&BC) and the New Bedford Economic Council (NBEDC) have entered into a memorandum of understanding in which A&BC will make the necessary investments to preserve the Star Store building.
“This partnership between the NBEDC and the A&BC lays the foundation for the Star Store’s reactivation as an anchor institution and economic driver in Downtown New Bedford,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “The A&BC has a proven track record of success with arts-based developments, and they will be a welcome addition to our city.”
Following the departure of UMass’ College of Visual and Performing Arts to its main campus, the city and NBEDC engaged JLL to study potential uses. The study determined that the one-time department store was best suited for classroom or artist studios.
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