Picture Main Street funding has been in the planning and funding pipeline for more than a decade and must not be disrupted. There will not be other infrastructure funding opportunities anytime soon; we are very lucky to have these grant funds coming. State budgets are straining under the weight of personnel and health costs, as well as federal cuts. Local budgets are in similar straights. Northampton is better prepared than most, with thanks to our mayors and councils. But we are in for some difficult sledding.
Democratic processes and community consultations regarding Picture Main Street have been fulfilled step by step for years across three mayoral administrations. Trying to undo legitimate local decision-making is in no one’s interests, and if nothing else seems to give the press and the internet something to grind on.
We are fortunate that Northampton leaders and professional staff arranged to separate our sewer and storm drains decades ago. Major storm water events, ever more frequent, do not overpower our sewage treatment and discharge raw sewage into the rivers. By comparison, to retrofit this separation now in Springfield and Holyoke would cost more than $500 million. We do well to honor the planning of the last generation and stay ahead of the infrastructure curve, especially when it is substantially grant funded.
Bricks and mortar retail is still rebounding from Covid, and many food service establishments have trouble finding staff. At the same time, Northampton has proven to be quite distinctive in its own way, and we have much to treasure and to be proud of.
Years back, downtown Northampton streets were torn up to improve safety, access, and
serviceability under the Federal Topics program. Not everyone liked the bricks, and the tree wells turned out to be too small. But those improvements to lighting and curb drops for access have served a vigorous center city well. However, many of those materials are now in poor repair. Concrete is no longer as durable as it once was due to the extremes of temperature and multiple frosts, along with relentlessly necessary ice-melting. Underneath, the infrastructure is one-third-century older now.
Some say: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Yet the most expensive stuff in our city is what we cannot see. Underground cameras can show serviceable conditions but may not detect serious deterioration. Repairing rotting sewer lines, for example, on a case-by-case basis, is cost prohibitive and does not allow for provisions for continuing service while repairs are made. Same for water, and electric. That is surely disruption on steroids. Certainly, we don’t drive our cars without an oil change until you hear funny noises and see smoke! All infrastructure materials have a service life.
Our region is home to a terrific concentration of expert and experienced road cyclists. Yet many of the rest of us are not as skilled or confident at riding in traffic safely. The bike lanes will be a great invitation to slow down, stay safe, worry less, and see the city. Wider sidewalks will make seasonal dining much easier to service, more accessible from the establishments, and better protected from traffic. On-street parking will remain in place year-round.
Let’s take our dollars out to shop and dine locally, support our businesses, and enjoy our city and each other. We know how to take things in stride. Let the region and wider world know we are open and welcoming!
Jonathan A. Wright lives in Northampton.