Medford Square Master Plan
MEDFORD SQUARE 2ND COMMUNITY FORUM December 7th, 2016 Feedback and Input ALL OF THE COMMUNITY FEEDBACK AND INPUT RECEIVED THROUGH EXERCISES, FORUM DISCUSSION AND OPEN HOUSE NOTES HAS BEEN COMPILED IN THIS DOCUMENT, INCLUDING: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
SUMMARY FEEDBACK “AT A GLANCE” YOUR FUTURE PREFERENCES PRIORITIZATION OF DRAFT STRATEGIES FEEDBACK ON DRAFT STRATEGIES MEETING ATTENDEE SIGN-IN
Mayor Stephanie M. Burke and the Office of Community Development invite your input about improving Medford Square. Medford is working with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to prepare a Master Plan for Medford Square to guide economic development and physical improvements in the Square. This effort is part of the Community Compact with the Governor’s Office paid for by District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) and Barr Foundation grant funding.
MEDFORD SQUARE MASTER PLANES
2 COMMUNITY FORUM ND
FEEDBACK AT A GLANCE FORUM ATTENDANCE:
55 49
YOUR FUTURE PREFERENCES RESULTS:
ESTIMATED NUMBER OF ATTENDEES:
TOTAL ATTENDEE SIGN-INS:
ATTENDEES WERE ASKED TO REACT TO A SERIES OF IMAGES REPRESENTING POTENTIAL FUTURE IDEAS FOR THE SQUARE. INDIVIDUAL SURVEYS WERE TRANSLATED INTO A NUMERICAL AVERAGE, USING THE SCALE AT THE RIGHT. THE SECOND COMMUNITY FORUM WAS WELL ATTENDED WITH ATTENDEES INCLUDING RESIDENTS, BUSINESS OWNERS, CHAMBER MEMBERS, MAYOR STEPHANIE BURKE, MEMBERS OF THE MAYOR’S OFFICE AND STAFF, AND SEVERAL MEDFORD CITY COUNCILORS.
YOUR FUTURE PREFERENCES RESULTS: ATTENDEES WERE ASKED TO REACT TO A SERIES OF IMAGES REPRESENTING POTENTIAL FUTURE IDEAS FOR THE SQUARE. INDIVIDUAL SURVEYS WERE TRANSLATED INTO A NUMERICAL AVERAGE, USING THE SCALE AT THE RIGHT. THE MOST “DISLIKED” IMAGES INCLUDE:
=2 =1 =0
9%
= -1 = -2
THE MOST “LIKED” IMAGES INCLUDE:
“charming”
1.8
AVERAGE SCORE
“love it”
1.5
AVERAGE SCORE
“welcoming”
1.5
AVERAGE SCORE
“vibrant”
1.4
AVERAGE SCORE
“traditional”
1.4
AVERAGE SCORE
=2 =1 =0 = -1 = -2
“too modern” “too big” “yuck!”
-0.8 AVERAGE SCORE
-0.7 AVERAGE SCORE
-0.6 AVERAGE SCORE
Medford Square Master Plan
“confusing”
THE MOST COMMON COMMENTS ARE SUPERIMPOSED OVER THE IMAGES.
COMMUNITY FORUM DEC. 7, 2016 -0.5 AVERAGE SCORE
MEDFORD SQUARE MASTER PLANES
2 COMMUNITY FORUM ND
FEEDBACK AT A GLANCE YOUR OVERALL REACTION TO THE DRAFT STRATEGIES:
88%
MEETING ATTENDEES WERE ASKED GAUGE THEIR REACTION TO THE DRAFT STRATEGIES OVERALL:
8% THOUGHT THE STRATEGIES ARE NOT BOLD ENOUGH FOR THE FUTURE OF MEDFORD SQUARE
4%
THOUGHT THE STRATEGIES ARE TOO BOLD AND TOO MUCH OF A CHANGE FOR MEDFORD SQUARE
THOUGHT THE STRATEGIES SEEM ABOUT RIGHT FOR AN IMPROVED FUTURE FOR MEDFORD SQUARE
YOUR PRIORITIZATION OF DRAFT STRATEGIES:
2. Strengthen anchors, recruit restaurants
MODERATE
83% 17%
LOW 0%
MODERATE
94% 6%
LOW 0%
4. Create concentration of active River edges
100%
MODERATE 0% LOW 0%
5. Form and authorize Downtown Association PRIORITY HIGH MODERATE LOW
30% 35% 35%
HIGHEST PRIORITY
HIGH
MODERATE LOW
77% 15% 8%
MODERATE
95% 5%
LOW 0%
PRIORITY HIGH MODERATE
87% 13%
LOW 0%
12. Provide design resources and assistance PRIORITY HIGH MODERATE
53% 37% 10%
PRIORITY HIGH MODERATE
50% 30% 20%
14. Facilitate district coordination and dialogue HIGHEST PRIORITY
HIGH
LOW
LOW
7. Embrace arts activity, design, and events PRIORITY
MODERATE
38% 52% 10%
13. Enhance efficient parking and neighborhood access MID PRIORITY
HIGH
HIGH
LOW
6. Attract and incentivize mixed-use development PRIORITY
PRIORITY
11. Redefine central intersection for walking
LOW PRIORITY
PRIORITY
MODERATE
79% 16% 5%
10. Reconfigure Route 16, add gateway art HIGHEST PRIORITY
HIGH
HIGH
LOW
3. Redefine block structure and circulation PRIORITY
PRIORITY
MID PRIORITY
HIGH
9. Reallocate road space, promote transit MID PRIORITY
PRIORITY
LOW 0%
LOW PRIORITY
LOW 0%
MODERATE
53% 47%
MID PRIORITY
MODERATE 0%
HIGH
LOW PRIORITY
100%
LOW PRIORITY
HIGH
PRIORITY
PRIORITY HIGH MODERATE LOW
63% 25% 12%
MID PRIORITY
PRIORITY
8. Create historic district, preserve and interpret HIGHEST PRIORITY
1. Enhance and expand plazas, improve key corridors
LOW PRIORITY
MEETING ATTENDEES WEIGHED IN ON THE PRIORITY LEVEL OF EACH OF THE DRAFT STRATEGIES, THE STRATEGIES REMAIN IN THE ORDER THEY WERE PRESENTED:
Medford Square Master Plan
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YOUR FUTURE PREFERENCES RESULTS Street Character
PREFERENCE IN CATEGORY
1.3 0.2 Comments:
I don’t think we’ll ever be this bike friendly; boring not add to High; multi-modal trans. infrastructure add protected lane!; love designated bike lane; doesn’t work; I like the bike lane; Salem/High Street; bike lane!; bike path; well marked bike lanes needed; alive; bad - too busy; boring, but has bike path! like the bike, ped accommodation; easy to restore - cost effective; like the bike lane but not the aesthetic; bike lanes = good; no parking? drive by; bike lane, clear crosswalks
0.4 Comments:
I want to live here; main intersection; bricks = local, historic; dug up by plows; difficult to maintain; but are there people?; nice, classy look - need bike path!; Clippership Dr near river, when water breaks etc. tough to restore; looks nice but bricks may buckle; maybe use a mix of these two; historic look - fits here; brick streets bad for bikes
Pedestrian Crossings
Comments:
Looks nice but distracting for drivers; too much; seems unrealistic; Riverside Ave with parking; pricey?; interesting idea; Clippership Dr?; awesome; maybe use a mix of these two; ugly!!!; too confusing + “big city”; protected bike lane good, dangerouse, weird street, but cool
PREFERENCE IN CATEGORY
1.4 0.4 Comments:
Prefer this public art; + curb extension; space for stroller to wait; shortening crossings is important; OK; could incorporate some graphic design; clear but boring; cool; can’t maintain striping, unsustainable; add lighting; shorter distances
0.2 Might not notice actual person; fleeting design; nice visibility, too Comments: flashy; a safety issue?; very cool but not practical or maintainable; too much!; colors will
+ Paving; love this; cars will slow down; Boston traditional; raised Comments: - to slow cars down; classy; traffic is slow enough, no to raised crosswalks; okay; tough on
fade, upkeep a challenge; special occasions; unsustainable; should be better places for art
busy areas; looks and functions best, would need to be installed correctly; no bumps; not bad; bad for bikes, good for ped
Sidewalk Character 1.4
Comments:
Over-planned; +planting, +cafe; look at Nashua NH new downtown; I like the activity here; vibrant sidewalk; fits local character; like outdoor cafe seating; full of activity; trees + plants great; Station Landing; aesthetics!!; ok, I don’t love the awning; roads can’t support
Riverfront Character
1.1
Like the landscape/mixed-use; too divided; my double wide stroller Comments: would use all the space; safest; stark; lots of seating + green infrastructure; greenery - yes!; nice; like the amount of seating; love the open feel; could use both; probably on waterfront only; lots of green good
0.7
Comments:
Would work if we had more food; seriously, Nashua did it right; too wide to be realistic; nice + wide; not practical; probably not enough room to implement; outdoor seating good; we need street + parking; multiple uses; nice but a bit sterile; could use both; unrealistic; wish we had this much space
1.5 0.8
Comments:
+Awning; integrate bike paths; love it; nice organic looking; this along Clippership!!; love the swings, like the shade, maybe natural
Public Parking Character
0.8
Makes area social; safer; seems less natural but maybe works Comments: downtown; more effective in Medford; riverwalk needs to be more dynamic; pretty, would
Love the idea of building up the river; see Navy Yard Park, DC; Comments: +Parks; like space for kids, currently nothing; real family attraction; this for seating area
prefer wood benches; connect to center; no real rivers edge
also; confusing, looks like a jungle gym; destinations = good; more nature and playground
PREFERENCE IN CATEGORY
0.7
1.3 0.0
Comments:
+Dual function; not sure what this is; incorporate trees/shade; like the flex use; tough repairing; open looks nice, weather/snowing may be an issue?; can be used to link key areas
Community Open Spaces
Great idea for dual use; +dual function; prefer this, but parking is Comments: needed; great idea; birds, hangouts; lovely!; maybe if it was solar; solar over parking lot
More parking near theatre; ugly; efficient use of space; only green Comments: thumbs up if garage frees up space for non-parking development; add retail to first floor; parking is needed; will we need so much parking w/ self driving cars?; this with restaurants under; looks like Kendall Square; cold; good for Chevalier and events
PREFERENCE IN CATEGORY
1.1
1.3 0.1
+Plants - too big; greenery!; plants, plants, plants; like the Comments: landscaping; classic + welcoming; more natural + gardens, Somerville has veggie garden at City Hall
+Activity; make space social!; space here for people; too much Comments: brick, barren; better w/ more greenery; more landscaping; good, multiuse, clean space
But w/ green; can’t tell what it is; OK but kind of like a beer Comments: garden? don’t understand this
Trails and Connections 1.0
0.8 0.3
Too rural; natural; natural look; tough w/ snow; we have these, I Comments: like them; natural; too expensive
Comments:
Useless canopies; our trees - huge asset; lovely but how can we afford to maintain; don’t like the awning, maintenance would be hard; costly; OK
Bright street light; +added space; this best integrates river + Comments: square; access to water; Clippership!; too much impact on environment; maintaining and open; very modern; no nature here
Scale of Redevelopment 1.0
1.3
Comments:
+Intimate spaces; almost too dense; small, personal building; not sure it is wise; just okay/maybe part; small enough to maintain community
Let’s leave Station Landing at Station Landing; too dense!; lots Comments: of bus lives near I-93; brings more apartments downtown; slightly larger is good; more mixed-use! too big for the square; may lose feel of square with this type of development; good compromise; better for residential units; no; doesn’t work in square; could be OK
-0.7
Comments:
Too dense!; it’s a good place for density; maybe too tall, OK by I-93; mixed-use :); too big for square; too big; may lose feel of square with this type of development; too large; strategic density; I like high rises, but not for Medford Square; good for maximizing people, but too high; doesn’t fit, can’t house cars that people will own; way too big; loss of community
Approach to Investment 1.3
0.7 -0.1
Comments:
Facade renos!; outdoor seating; working with what we have; best choice if possible; attracts people; beautifying good, umbrellas?
Building Character
Needs historic guidelines!; I like keeping businesses open, Comments: specifically Tenoch; understand the need, but ugly; this idea is good/not building; not a good fit - lacks parking; more housing = more customers
If it doesn’t affect any historic buildings; little too glass but OK; Comments: lots of wasted space currently; mixed-use; not Medford; perhaps in special location; OK in certain specific areas; too commercial; can’t handle density; too big; good for energy usage
1.5 1.2 -0.8
Comments: Shame on you!; this isn’t Cape Cod, doesn’t need to be uniform; gimmicky; nice balance of housing and active street; anything is well planned and executed;
Too thin!; for larger new; anything is well planned and executed; Comments: some contemporary with good design; OK for a compromise; any of these could be good,
Comments: Too modern; too glassy!; too modern; anything is well planned and executed; not for the square; too much of this nearby already; any of these could be good,
love old character, if possible; any of these could be good, use few styles; not really for square; more welcoming; retain historic nature
use few styles; maybe with proper parking, etc.
use few styles; sore thumb! too modern; not Medford
Storefront Character
PREFERENCE IN CATEGORY
1.8
0.6
Comments:
Too “big box” soulless; no character; looks like it is in a parking lot; anything is well planned and executed; too modern; too “franchise” looking; clear, a bit square/boring; but generic; OK but boring
Love the windows; more character!; minimal and contemporary; Comments: people might notice driving through; this seems to best activate the street; classic open yes!; anything is well planned and executed; good combination; charming; small town character; love this - charming + open; allow stores more creativity; bit more local feel; like open window style; open windows - change law to allow
Comments:
-0.6
Could be better; too modern; OK but; can’t tell what it is; too funky; too contemporary; too modern; not my favorite, but good concept; weird/ confusing; follower ... yuck! why?; yuck
Signage and Wayfinding 1.2
0.7 -0.5
Evergreen; perfect; clean traditional; better than nothing, but Comments: boring; okay; OK, boring but clear; too “old” feeling :); fits city; clear; needed, historic
Too kitschy; too busy; hard for drivers to read; OK too whimsical; Comments: maybe black + white; don’t love colors, but clear; not as good; confusing; OK - need signs
Nice but seems high maintenance; +create idea of place; can’t tell Comments: what it is; too modern; looks nice, but too confusing; too modern; I don’t think Medford is big enough; like the display but probably confusing; something modern/new; total departure; too hard to read
Public Art 1.0
0.8 0.4
All art is good!; would make crossing river nice; focus on business Comments: development; upkeep?; I prefer art that matters to Medford history, not generic art; difficult
The more art the better; I’m a sucker for light installations; all art is Comments: good!; and connect north to south; Belmont Leonard St train bridge has great pedestrian
because river has traffic; need to incorporate river; river art is cool, don’t love this art specifically; artist spotlights; too much maintenance with invasive growth in river
crossing; graffiti not I-93 over river; use lights!; what about bridge under construction now?; make bridges prettier!; just don’t like
Comments: these don’t resonate
All art is good!; integrated in space, love it; art is important but
Medford Square Master Plan
Prioritization of Draft Strategies THE DRAFT STRATEGIES RESPONDED DIRECTLY TO EXISTING CONDITIONS THEMES DISCUSSED IN THE 1ST COMMUNITY FORUM. THE THEMES HAD BEEN PRIORITIZED BY THE COMMUNITY AND THE DRAFT STRATEGIES WERE PRESENTED IN THAT ORDER OF PRIORITY. GIVEN THE SPECIFIC IDEAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DRAFT STRATEGIES, THE COMMUNITY WAS ASKED TO PRIORITIZE THE LIST AGAIN, RANKING EACH STRATEGY AS HIGH, MODERATE OR LOW PRIORITY. THE RE-PRIORITIZED LIST OF DRAFT STRATEGIES BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM THE 2ND COMMUNITY FORUM: % Ranked as High Priority Draft Strategy 100% 1. Enhance 100% 2. 95% 3. 94% 4. 87% 5. 83% 6. 79% 7. 77% 8. 63% 9. 53% 10. 53% 11 50% 12. 38% 13. 30% 14.
and expand plazas, improve key corridors Create concentration of active River edges Embrace arts activity, design, and events Redefine block structure and circulation Redefine central intersection for walking Strengthen anchors, recruit restaurants Reallocate road space, promote transit Attract and incentivize mixed-use development Facilitate district coordination and dialogue Create historic district, preserve and interpret Provide design resources and assistance Enhance efficient parking and neighborhood access Reconfigure Route 16, add gateway art Form and authorize Downtown Association
LEGEND: TURQUOISE = ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND VITALITY ORANGE = LAND USE AND SENSE OF PLACE PURPLE = TRANSPORTATION AND CONNECTIVITY GREEN = OPEN SPACE AND QUALITY OF LIFE
Medford Square Master Plan COMMUNITY FORUM RESULTS Wednesday, December 7, 2016 6:00pm City Hall Council Chambers Updated: 12/22/16 Open House – Community Input – Feedback on Draft Strategies Forum participants were asked to provide feedback in reaction to the presentation given and the draft strategies for Medford Square, the following responses were written (as divided by the categories outlined with the open house materials: Medford Square – Open Feedback Board Participants were asked to “Mark your other important strategies” on the map, comments included: • Community center, education and recreation (YMCA model) • Library proposal is key to upgrading Medford’s image – I judge a town’s care for itself by the care it takes of its library • New bridge for I-93/Route 16 flow connecting Clippership Drive to Mystic Valley Parkway (extending across the Mystic aligned with City Hall Mall) • Traffic on Main Street limits businesses – which could grow to be more of an anchor, parking issues also (in this area). At Main Street near Thomas and Summer Street active retail/restaurant businesses. Cut through traffic turns right off of Main Street, travels down Columbia Road, and turns left up Mystic Avenue back to Main Street to avoid left turn at intersection at Main Street and Mystic Avenue • Need more trees • Need more dynamic riverfront + walking + bike paths. Right now no cohesive walking paths in + out of center. Mostly overgrown + full of trash • Use Medford history as asset – • New bridge, very interesting! Strategy 1: Enhance and expand plazas, improve key corridors Participants were asked to “Write your comments” about the draft strategy, comments included: • Need more trees • But also trash + recycling receptacles … and public seating • More business • Beautify plazas + corridors, incorporate history, art + natural spaces • Temporary, rotating programs for “crafted” street furniture • Be mindful and aware of things that make the Square accessible and more important welcoming and safe for people with disabilities – multi-level land use, wide sidewalks, trees, and benches that block access for people that use wheelchairs • Consider pockets of parking to allow access to those who can’t walk from distant garages, otherwise this will solely by be used by Square residents and the young and healthy
Medford Square Master Plan
2nd Community Forum Results
•
Main and Mystic intersection
Strategy 2: Strengthen anchors, recruit restaurants Participants were asked to “Write your comments” about the draft strategy, comments included: • Need more trees • Need a wider variety of restaurants types – incorporate outdoor spaces with trendy restaurants. There are great buildings in the center that would make fantastic restaurants, bars, gallery’s • Any help for potential local business owners will be so helpful. We want to start businesses here but may need help • Strengthen existing businesses, don’t crush them in our march to keep up with the “Joneses” • Consider mini-Assembly Row type development with national stores as anchors • Restaurants need sidewalk presence so that there is obvious activity throughout the Square • Parking as anchor for South Medford Square • Restaurants need patrons today, density in the Square will help • Consider consolidating new library and new police station into “civic block” behind City Hall Strategy 3: Redefine block structure and circulation Participants were asked to “Write your comments” about the draft strategy, comments included: • Love this one! Appreciate the distinction between congestion and activity • Like it, but consider impact of increased traffic at river cutting of access to the River • Need more trees • This seems like the most transformational element of the whole plan – with a more local traffic pattern on Salem/High/Riverside. The streets are more activated + bike/ped friendly. Incredibly exciting!! • Great beginning – involve various stakeholders – baby steps • Why give commuters 2 way access to all our roads? All 3 streets will be constantly blocked … Strategy 4: Create concentration of active River edges Participants were asked to “Write your comments” about the draft strategy, comments included: • Dig those swings! Maybe some amenities/activities similar to Lawn on D? Or Canal Park in Washington DC? • This is key to rebranding Medford as a historic “River City” – the Mystic is central to Medford’s identity in every sense. This is distinctive because the river is not a boundary but a rhythmic artery. • Mixed use paths along Northside of river must allow 3 traffic streams – 1 bikes – fast, 2 walking – slow, 3 – lingerers – stopped along the river. • Need more trees • River is a huge asset, make it more “visible”; water taxis + ferries would be embraced – we could be pioneers for that kind of transport around here. • I agree!! Could not have said better – check out how well Assembly Row! • Partner w/ MyRWA Mystic River Watershed Association
Medford Square Master Plan
2nd Community Forum Results
•
Without parking, this would only be usable for Square residents and the young and healthy. Let’s reclaim this for all residents …
Strategy 5: Form and authorize Downtown Association Participants were asked to “Write your comments” about the draft strategy, comments included: • Communication around this will be key, keep us informed we want to help. • Need more trees • Must have City support to succeed … need solution for maintaining vacant areas – who pays their portion? Building owner? • Arts & culture community is ready to participate! • Chamber is very ready to participate as well! Strategy 6: Attract and incentivize mixed-use development Participants were asked to “Write your comments” about the draft strategy, comments included: • Need more trees • Keeping messaging on additional spaces, not displacing current businesses, will help this work • Concerned about congestion – population growth – more housing. • Can’t develop residences and businesses on parking lots … not realistic to ignore that cars exist. • Mixed use would seem to ensure a vibrant downtown area throughout the day. • Enlist a single developer/mall operator to create cohesive set of stores open until 9pm. • If parking far from businesses how about local trolley to/from lots? • Fewer lots! More mixed use! Wasted space • If you give me a reason to walk here I will. Strategy 7: Embrace arts activity, design, and events Participants were asked to “Write your comments” about the draft strategy, comments included: • Use the Shell more; with simple improvements (bathrooms, vending) could be awesome. • Need more trees • Activity + events will pull more people into the Square • Arts as economic driver … creative economy report … incubator space … pop-up galleries … culinary arts, not just restaurants … culinary incubator!! (like Crop Circle) • Permanent and temporary public art programs can and should be considered. Leverage regional strengths and local assets of creative community – Tufts, Somerville, SMFA, Boston, etc. There’s potential for highly distinctive public art programming that draws upon environment, civic and historic content for discourse. This is an area where we can “leap frog” with bold thinking + longer term vision. Example: curation of technology-enabled installations or what about the region’s 1st collection of public sound art? • Events must incorporate businesses … either specials/sales or activities that draw event visitors to patronize businesses, not just attend free events and go • Community based theater group at Chevalier would be great! • Improve/Create space for events/farmer’s market/etc.
Medford Square Master Plan
2nd Community Forum Results
Strategy 8: Create historic district, preserve and interpret Participants were asked to “Write your comments” about the draft strategy, comments included: • Need more trees • Useless if we plan to stack residences on top of our historic assets to create unsustainable density • Maintain the historic assets while creating new mixed use! *agreed! • More density in square above one-story buildings! *This! • Preserve + conserve existing • Promote tasteful new development that speaks with historic fabric o Two guidelines: historic (existing) – define what is historically valuable and preserve; new – define character for new construction that promotes an attitude of respect toward their built environment. • I would be concerned that this would prevent the construction of more useful structures Strategy 9: Reallocate road space, promote transit Participants were asked to “Write your comments” about the draft strategy, comments included: • Need more trees • Wider sidewalks more important than 2 way streets – outdoor seating! • Get some creative thinks on this (students maybe?), tough one, but will pay off. • Many cyclists purposely avoid Medford Sq. rebalancing streets would make it safer and more efficient and attract them to our businesses • Transit doesn’t work for locals to get to Square. Most buses run sporadically (if at all) to the Square for Medford residences. Can’t eliminate parking and still expect locals to patronize. Strategy 10: Reconfigure Route 16, add gateway art Participants were asked to “Write your comments” about the draft strategy, comments included: • Great model of pedestrian underpass is in Belmont Center, where there are lights in the sidewalk under the train bridge – looks clean and safe. *Agree • Need more trees • Keep exit closed! • Gateway art is a low priority, while reconfiguring 16 is a high priority • Ground RT 16 & remove exit • Closing exist has been a great benefit. • Don’t sink Route 16 flyover – need to keep stationary traffic from idling at street level. Why not turn underpass into cool art space or areas for heated winter market and keep through traffic over us. Strategy 11: Redefine central intersection for walking Participants were asked to “Write your comments” about the draft strategy, comments included: • Need more trees • All streets have red light and all pedestrians cross to wherever they are going without having to wait for multiple crossings • Add outdoor seating space
Medford Square Master Plan
2nd Community Forum Results
• • • •
Current configuration is very difficult to navigate for those with disabilities Very hard area to cross. Get stuck in the model with no options to push for a walk signal … This is dependent on getting I-93 – Route 16 traffic out of this intersection. More benches!
Strategy 12: Provide design resources and assistance Participants were asked to “Write your comments” about the draft strategy, comments included: • Artists + designers should have a “seat at the table” when thinking through and implementing this strategy. • We need to retain “Medford” character don’t want to try to just imitate a neighboring town • Need more trees • The importance of a cohesive and integrated appearance of the downtown “square” areas cannot be emphasized enough – things look slapdash right now – • Design guidelines that promote contemporary design that blends respectfully with the historic fabric. • Theater parking – no parking for 1,800 seat theater • Police/fire should stay in the Square, but should have community space when renovated • Concern regarding regional traffic on Clippership – would this further cut off park space? • Lots of traffic at 16 + Main Street – would intersection work? Better to just remove off/on ramps? Strategy 13: Enhance efficient parking and neighborhood access Participants were asked to “Write your comments” about the draft strategy, comments included: • Need more trees • Parking needs to consider our winters. Walkways that are safe + clean are always appreciated. • Parking too far from businesses. Won’t walk that far w/ children, elderly … etc. … • Taking parking off narrow roads (e.g. High St.) and developing several strategically placed areas throughout the district (so nowhere is too far to walk if you’ve parked in the right place) would make roads seem safer for driving. • Develop parking as an anchor for South Medford Square – incentivize through zoning o Light industrial to parking hub along Mystic o Rent/offer parking to higher density new development o Subsidize costs through energy production – solar, wind Strategy 14: Facilitate district coordination and dialogue Participants were asked to “Write your comments” about the draft strategy, comments included: • Need more trees • Keep the community/residents updated on this (email, Facebook), we want to help • Need to coordinate with CPA effort Overall/General Comments
Medford Square Master Plan
2nd Community Forum Results
Participants were asked to “Write any other comments” about the vision or general comments, comments included: • Need more trees • Don’t forget about mitigation monies to come from Wynn Casino; e.g. $100K per year for arts + culture such as Chevalier • Let’s be bold regarding circulation. Change/add I-93 exit to Route 16 so southbound traffic can get to Route 16 westbound without going through the Square. Maybe add river crossing near Riverside towers. Reconfigure streets in “South Square” near DPW. • Need more trees • Vision Statement – maybe can we find a synonym for attractive? • P.S.: 7pm meetings may be easier for more residents to attend *
Medford Square Master Plan
2nd Community Forum Results
