NORTHAMPTON — Consultants will present the draft recommendations for new policies, programs and infrastructure projects that aim to improve pedestrian and bicyclist access in the city at a public forum Wednesday.
The Walk/Bike Northampton public forum is the second installment in a process led by Cambridge-based consultant Alta Planning + Design that will allow the city’s Office of Planning and Sustainability to update its nearly decade-old Sustainable Northampton Comprehensive Plan.
In March, consultants heard from bicyclists and walkers about their concerns and suggestions about making it easier and safer to move around the city. On Wednesday, the team will present its draft recommendations at 6:30 p.m. at First Churches at 129 Main St.
“Staying consistent with our hopes of including more folks in the process who don’t always find it easy, we do have an interpreter available for Spanish and also on-site childcare,” said Pioneer Valley Planning Commission spokesman Patrick Beaudry.
Safety concerns on South Street, planting shade trees along streets and bicycle lanes to slow traffic, and the dangers of non-continuous sidewalks used by children near schools and missing pedestrian connections on Bridge Road between King and Jackson streets were among the ideas and concerns shared by residents at the first forum.
Beaudry said that the pieces of the plan are starting to come together. “We’re excited to get some feedback,” he said.
Alta is being paid using a $108,000 grant from the state Department of Public Health. Any of its recommendations which are adopted would need additional funding.
Amanda Drane can be reached at adrane@gazettenet.com. Chris Lindahl can be reached at clindahl@gazettenet.com.