Co-Creative Center Forced to Vacate Union Street Location

Nonprofit arts hub must relocate after building is sold to new owners with steep rent increase.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Co-Creative Center, a nonprofit arts hub in downtown New Bedford, Massachusetts, has been forced to vacate its longtime location at 137 Union Street after the building was sold to new owners who offered a lease with a rent increase that the organization could not afford. With only about two months to relocate, the Co-Creative Center is temporarily moving to space inside Bristol Community College's downtown campus, while exploring a potential long-term solution at the Star Store location that won't be ready until late 2026 or early 2027.

Why it matters

The Co-Creative Center has been an important community asset in New Bedford, providing affordable studio space for 65 local artists and hosting thousands of creative events, classes, and exhibitions over the past eight years. Its displacement highlights the challenges that small nonprofits face in the face of rising rents and gentrification, as well as the need for more affordable creative spaces to support the local arts community.

The details

The Co-Creative Center was notified around Christmas that the building it occupied at 137 Union Street had been sold, and the new owners offered a new five-year lease with rent that was nearly triple the organization's current rate. Unable to afford the steep increase, the Co-Creative Center tried to negotiate for at least another year in the space to ease the transition, but those talks fell through. With a tight two-month timeline to vacate, the organization launched a search for a new temporary and long-term home, ultimately securing space inside Bristol Community College's downtown campus as an interim solution while exploring the possibility of moving into the Star Store location, which won't be ready until late 2026 or early 2027.

  • Around Christmas 2025, the Co-Creative Center was notified that the building it occupied at 137 Union Street had been sold.
  • The new owners offered the Co-Creative Center a new five-year lease with rent that was nearly triple the organization's current rate.
  • The Co-Creative Center tried to negotiate for at least another year in the 137 Union Street space, but those talks fell through.
  • The Co-Creative Center has about two months to vacate the 137 Union Street location.
  • The Co-Creative Center is temporarily moving to space inside Bristol Community College's downtown campus, while exploring a potential long-term solution at the Star Store location that won't be ready until late 2026 or early 2027.

The players

Dena Haden

Founder and director of the Co-Creative Center.

Bristol Community College

The college is providing temporary space for the Co-Creative Center while it searches for a long-term location.

Third Eye Youth Empowerment

The Co-Creative Center will partner with this organization for youth programming during the transition.

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What they’re saying

“It was about triple the cost of our current rent. We're a really small nonprofit, so we just couldn't agree to the new lease terms.”

— Dena Haden, Founder and director of the Co-Creative Center (southcoasttoday.com)

“It's sad, it's been really hard to watch everyone move out.”

— Dena Haden, Founder and director of the Co-Creative Center (southcoasttoday.com)

What’s next

The Co-Creative Center is exploring a potential long-term solution at the Star Store location, but that space won't be ready until late 2026 or early 2027.

The takeaway

The displacement of the Co-Creative Center highlights the challenges that small nonprofits face in the face of rising rents and gentrification, underscoring the need for more affordable creative spaces to support local arts communities. Despite the disruption, the organization is committed to maintaining its network and continuing to provide opportunities for artists and the community.