We were just in Burlington, Vermont, which is now into one and a half years of a downtown building project somewhat similar to what is planned for Northampton as “Picture Main Street.” We were very interested in the opinions of locals relative to this project and actively sought out conversations with whom we could find.

Those we talked to hated the project and found it very destructive. They avoided coming downtown because of the traffic problems and not only bypassed downtown businesses but avoided local municipal events. Burlington reportedly lost many businesses, and the locals we talked to were particularly bothered by the closure of two long-term anchor businesses to the construction project. These were their downtown movie theater and a long-term pub and restaurant, both of which had survived Covid, but did not make it through the building project. And the construction was still ongoing.

During one of these conversations, an official from Lawrence, Massachusetts chimed in and talked about a similar project which had taken place in that city a few years ago. Their main Street was reduced from four lanes to two, primarily to create bicycle lanes. As related by this official the severe traffic congestion on that street subsequent to the project is now persistent and unremitting.

From what I understand, the design being implemented on our Main Street is the brainchild of a single design group. It is not clear if this particular design and what intuitively appears to be the potential of long-term damage to downtown has been vetted through a second opinion/review by a different municipal design group or a consultant civil engineer.

I think few people are arguing with the modernization of the underground infrastructure, but it is the widening sidewalks, widening of bicycle lanes, the reduction of traffic lanes in downtown, and the elimination of parking spaces with parallel parking into those reduced traffic lanes which are being questioned.

Once this renovation is done, it is irreversible. Are those being voted into city government positions so certain that this project won’t ultimately be regretted? Has a second opinion been sought?

Jay Fleitman

Florence