In approximately three years, the city of Northampton has committed to a complex renovation of our historic downtown. This huge construction project will include the entire “Main Street” infrastructure, its streets and sidewalks. It has been suggested this construction will take three years to complete at a cost of $21 million. This project will come at a huge taxpayer burden and result in three years of total downtown disruption to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, especially to our valuable Main Street businesses.
One very unusual renovation component is the suggested complete reduction of the currently very busy existing traffic lanes from four lanes to three. (Typically existing heavy traffic usually require more lanes! Not less.) There also is a reduction in parking spots by up to 57 spots being eliminated, and much of the parking will now be parallel rather than the current angled parking which is easier (Time to buy your new car with the auto park option.)
The new plan also eliminates the current existing fifth lane (the vacant area in the middle of Main Street) now used for delivery trucks, snow storage and removal, and most importantly to allow emergency vehicles uninterrupted egress without traffic delay.
This proposed redesign also includes a new separate bike lane, which is a good idea when the needed space is available, but this concept comes at the cost of a three-lane reduction. This bike lane will come at a financial commitment and also cost valuable space, and its use is only seasonal and typically during daylight hours. Its contribution to this project is limited due to the lack of needed space to keep this project less congested. Currently Northampton’s involvement with bike rentals has failed, which is a clear indication that its inclusion in this renovation is not justified or currently needed.
While improvement, updating, and maintenance are certainly huge ingredients in the renovation, the most important concern that must be included is public safety. This includes crosswalks with ample lighting, speed bumps, and signage, although education is also needed. Drivers can’t be held solely responsible for the safety of pedestrians as both should look out for one another’s welfare and safety.
This proposed renovation will be expensive, expansive and disruptive, and a three-year renovation is simply too long a period to complete. Those who currently will be directly effected (our downtown business community) must be involved with the needed planning to make use of their expert input, suggestions and support to help design and retain the appeal that historic Noho now offers.
This is not just a three-year traffic project with the expected bumps, potholes, equipment and police guidance; this is an al- inclusive important change for historic Northampton. A change that is offered by those who never owned or made their livelihood as a restaurant owner, retail store, bar or landlord.
I have always felt fortunate to live in Northampton and proud that I have had many years to enjoy all that it offers, but I hope for and seek a detailed, well thought-out and thorough approach to any new plan or renovation forthcoming. When making important decisions we all appeal to the various experts, such as doctors, lawyers and teachers for their professional guidance and information they can share to help us make an informed decision. In this letter, I suggest a simple common sense approach to this massive historic renovation, but it certainly needs a lot more thought and careful consideration of its impact, always carrying safety as its No. 1 goal.
This reducing of traffic lanes, reducing parking by 57 spots, inviting bicycle traffic into an already busy traffic mix, a three-year construction period that won’t start for three years, and a projected cost of $21 million will most certainly reach a higher cost later. Do you really think that in six years (three-year wait, three-year construction process) when they cut the ribbon to celebrate the completion of this construction, that any of the existing stores now operating will have weathered this projection?
Lastly, while I stress the importance for safety I must add support for our downtown businesses, which have recently been adversely effected by the recent expansion to 8 p.m. for all downtown parking enforcement. Let us all work together to protect what we have all grown to appreciate.
David McCutcheon lives in Northampton.