I write again, as the situation worsens for the 80-plus artist tenants at Cottage Street Studios in Easthampton. Not only is Riverside Industries increasing rents 25-100% all at once, the new lease contract is entirely different than those the artists had for decades. By Aug. 1, just days from receiving the new lease, they must decide between signing a 3-year lease (most had 1-year or month to month) with a landlord they no longer trust, or giving 60 days notice and leave their creative home and community. This is how a human services nonprofit who enjoys millions of annual taxpayer dollars chooses to treat its 80 longtime tenants? These are not the acts of community neighbors, human service leaders, or fellow citizens. All involved in this radical unkindness should be ashamed of themselves. Yes, as a private entity, they can do what they want. But shouldn’t they, as a longtime landlord, and a human services nonprofit, at least try to work it out? At #ARTSTAYSHERE we navigate solutions that work for everyone: landlords and artist tenants. There are options here, if only Riverside would consider them. There are mission-driven nonprofits and arts-friendly developers ready to help. Easthampton neighbors and taxpayers, this is happening on your watch. What say you? Property owners in the Easthampton area, anyone want to rent to 80 artists? How about 50? How about 25? Is there a community arts hero out there?

Ami Bennitt, #ARTSTAYSHERE

Dorchester