Pittsfield VPI

As part of the Pittsfield Village Partnership Initiative, Aceto Kimball Landscape Architecture (AKLA) is leading a transformative approach to transportation design and placemaking that strengthens the physical and social fabric of downtown Pittsfield, Maine. In partnership with municipal leaders, regional planners, and MaineDOT, AKLA brings a vision rooted in small-town resilience, multimodal accessibility, and place-based design to reimagine the village core as a vibrant, connected, and people-first environment. This initiative is part of the Maine Department of Transportation’s Village Partnership Initiative (VPI)—a program focused on reinvesting in Maine’s rural town centers by creating safe, inclusive streetscapes that support local economies, enhance community identity, and reduce car dependency. AKLA’s role in Pittsfield is to translate infrastructure needs into community-centered design solutions that honor the town’s heritage and shape its future. Recognizing the village center as both a transportation corridor and a social space, AKLA’s design introduces inviting civic spaces, pocket parks, and flexible gathering zones that encourage lingering, connection, and local activity. Materials, furnishings, and plantings reflect the town’s agricultural and industrial character, bringing authenticity to the streetscape and reinforcing a sense of place.