Photo: Getty Images
NORTHAMPTON (WBZNewsRadio) - Northampton and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles go way back. In fact, the creators of TMNT, Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman, were residents of the city when they created the iconic comic book in the 1980s.
Now the city is paying tribute, with plans to make four custom-designed manhole covers featuring the 'heroes in a half shell.' The city will be using $20,000 in Pandemic relief funds to finance the project.
The TMNT franchise is now known around the globe, telling the tale of four turtles who stumble upon radioactive 'ooze,' dumped illegally in the sewers of New York City. The 'ooze' transforms the small reptiles into human-size anthropomorphic turtles, who begin studying martial arts under Master Splinter. With these new found skills, the turtles, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael, wield traditional ninjutsu weapons to fight organized crime in the city.
The manhole cover project is a small part of the Main Street Renovation plan, which aims to transform the are into a thriving district with small businesses and local art on display.
WBZ's John Baibak reports.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App