Wow, am I getting excited about Picture Main Street! Ample, tree-covered outdoor dining,
roomy sidewalks with lots of benches and public performance space, and a safer street will make Northampton a pleasant, inviting destination city. Businesses will thrive with the influx of visitors who will be drawn to stroll, browse, shop, eat and relax in our welcoming downtown.
Families with young children, seniors, and anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable cycling
on the streets will be able to take the ever-expanding rail trail network to the back of Pulaski Park, ride up the ramps and ride right to their destinations on protected cycle lanes. This will be a huge draw for bicycle enthusiasts and the many e-bike riders who like to have a fun destination for their ride, and maybe grab a bite to eat or do a little shopping.
As a registered nurse, of course I’m in favor of design that encourages people to get more exercise while boosting the local economy! More people choosing to walk, bike, or bus into town equals less motor traffic congestion.
All of this, and there will be no less parking than what is available now, with the sections
reserved for outdoor dining space (a festive and beloved addition to the summer downtown
scene). In fact, the number of accessible parking spots will be increased. When I have driven a motor vehicle into town, I like to go to the parking garage, which is free for the first hour, always has space, and has a bridge directly into Thornes in the heart of downtown.
Some people may not realize that the number of lanes will remain the same. To quote the
city’s FAQ from their webpage regarding Picture Main Street, “Main Street doesn’t have four lanes today. Upper and lower Main Street are one lane in each direction with parallel parking on either side. It’s the width of middle Main Street where drivers create additional, undefined ‘lanes’ and this space is used to weave in and out of other traffic which creates an unsafe condition for all other users.” This is probably why Northampton’s Main Street is on Mass DOT’s list as one of the most dangerous downtown streets in the state based on crash data. This is stressful for motorists and pedestrians alike.
I am delighted that NHS students like my daughter, who love to bike, walk or take the PVTA bus into town after school to go to the cafes and buy treats, will be much safer after Picture Main Street is complete. The streets will be “friendlier” and better designed for a cozy downtown feel, with shorter (and thus safer) crosswalks and traffic calming measures added. Less need for emergency response saves the city money (not to mention lives).
Downtown businesses are experiencing challenges due to competition with online
retailers. Picture Main Street will revitalize downtown, making it safer, more inviting, and more, bringing people to the area not only for the shopping but for the whole experience. All of this while helping to address climate change by increasing temperature-moderating green space, creating special structural soil containers to promote healthy growth for all the new trees that will be added, and vastly improving walkability and bikeability (which will pair wonderfully with all the excellent and needed new housing that is being developed downtown). This plan is a win for our city, and I can’t wait to see it come to fruition.
Sara Howard lives in Florence.