Ashland Redevelopment Authority
Let’s work together to
revitalize downtown!
May 22, 2013
Agenda
Introductions
Purpose of the meeting
Formula for success
Urban Renewal Plan (URP)
Group Collaboration (30 Minutes)
Potential Goals (10 Minutes)
Highlights of the Boston Architectural
College Deliverable to ARA (20 Minutes)
ARA TEAM
Enzo Scalora, Vice-Chair
David Beaudoin, Treasurer
Graham Ruggie, Member
Sara Hines, Member
Andrea Green, Member
Charlotte Peterson, Admin. Assistant
Ed Bates, Consultant
Purpose
To provide an update on revitalization
efforts
Communicate/collaborate with other town
boards and committees, and
Convey potential projects with particular
focus on short term projects
Formula for Success
Respect one another's opinion
Communicate and collaborate
Breed a culture of team work and trust
Demonstrate flexibility
Egos and emotions need to be checked
at the door…bring your passion!
Keep the momentum moving in the right
direction
Stay focused
Urban Renewal Plan
The Urban Renewal Program is a program that
allows municipalities to revitalize substandard,
decadent or blighted open areas for residential,
commercial, industrial, business, governmental,
recreational, educational, hospital or other
purposes. Urban renewal projects help
municipalities redevelop deteriorated areas by
providing the economic environment needed to
attract and support private investment.
Urban Renewal Plan (URP)
There were some 15 studies leading up
to the development of the URP
URP spans a 20 year horizon
Draft plan was approved by the BOS
and Planning board with conditions
Full Plan must receive final approval
from the Massachusetts Department of
Housing and Urban Development
(DHCD) to meet qualifications
URP GEOGRAPHIC
Downtown to the “T”
Group Collaboration Exercise
Break out into groups, with a minimum of 5
people in each group
Nominate a spokesperson
Perform the following task:
Identify two (2-3) problems that exist in
downtown Ashland that can be solved in
the short term (within 4 years)and gain
community consensus without creating
sunk costs. How would you go about
solving those problems?
What did we learn?
Visual clutter exists due to public
signage, utilities and lack of coherent
infrastructure
Roadway improvements needed to
address traffic, curbing and parking
Sidewalks, pedestrian crossing, bike
travel and movement throughout need
to be addressed
Lighting improvements needed
What did we learn?
Street edge and landscaping need to be
addressed
Zoning modifications are needed
Review tax basis and incentives
Work with property owners and
business to improve existing structures
Ashland needs to invest in itself if we
want business and residents to invest in
Ashland
Short Term
Possible Projects
Possible Action
• Events to draw people into
• Farmers market
downtown creating positive activity • Ashland Half Marathon
• Rediscover Ashland
• Other
• Expansion of Marathon Park
• Cleanup what’s there
• Conceptual plans for expansion
• CPA funds
• Streetscape & Storefront redesign
• Possibly give a one time grant to
property/business owner
• Parking Study/Traffic
• Team with Town Planner/Planning
Board to evaluate traffic/parking
‘as is’ and ‘to be”
Short Term (cont.)
Possible Projects
Possible Action
• Signage upgrades
• Perform signage inventory
• Remove current signs (fixed or
temporary not required or
needed)
• Identify funding sources
• Develop a plan for phased
signage improvements with
historical elements
• Select intersection upgrades
• Identify the locations for
intersection upgrades
• Identify funding sources
• Develop a plan for phased
intersection improvements with
historical elements
• Implement one (1) intersection
per year
Short Term (cont.)
Possible Projects
Possible Action
• New Town Green
• Evaluate the Green in context of
125 Front Street and Main St.
• Collaborate on possible
events/features
Certain BAC Suggestions
Signage
Intersection upgrades
Town Green
Mid Term Projects
125 Front Street Development
Rehab of Commercial, Industrial,
and Residential property within
the URP Geographic
Long Term Projects
Redevelopment of Existing Police
and Fire Facilities
Next Steps
Create a core team made up of
various town boards/management
and book monthly working
sessions
Determine funding sources
Finalize short term plans and
develop implementation strategy