North Adams Seeks Public Input on 'Re-Branding' City Identity

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The city is looking for a new identity.

Residents are invited to attend a "re-branding" forum on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the atrium of the Feigenbaum Center for Science and Innovation, on the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' campus.

The forum will be facilitated by Stoltze Design of Boston, a marketing firm that has worked with such entities as Wentworth Institute of Technology and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

"Re-branding North Adams is a top priority of our Vision 2030 Comprehensive Plan," Mayor Richard Alcombright said in a statement. "Stoltze Design, one of the top design firms in the commonwealth, is leading the project. We are grateful to the North Adams Partnership for raising funds to secure this top-tier talent."


Community members will be asked to provide input on designs for a new "brand identity" for the city of North Adams. Brand identity is the visible elements such as colors, design, logo, names and symbols that together will help to identify and distinguish the city.

North Adams already has two well-known logos. Its motto is "We hold the Western Gateway," with an image of the Hoosac Tunnel, a nod to the pioneering rail tunnel and its former position as a major hub for rail transportation. The image is also used by the North Adams Historical Society. It's also been known as a "The city of Steeples" for the number of church steeples that can be seen entering the city, particularly northbound on Route 8. That was turned into a black and yellow logo several years ago. The North Adams SteepleCats logo shares those colors.

A steering committee for the branding and wayfinding initiative selected Stoltze Design and has led the process of reviewing preliminary concepts and soliciting stakeholder input.

"We're excited to share the work-in-progress concepts with the North Adams community and receive more feedback," said John DeRosa, president of the North Adams Partnership. "A new brand identity will eventually be put into use on new wayfinding signage throughout the city, and on websites, banners and social media, so the impact will be far reaching and long lasting."


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