Downtown Taunton

Study Update: July 2009

2009-07-14T06:38:00.000-07:00

Study Update: July 2009

The Neighborhood Corporation has been working with its consultants, Commonweal Collaborative and The Narrow Gate Architects on completing the Downtown Taunton Development Study. Close collaboration with the Heart of Taunton and the Office of Economic and Community Development have strengthened the momentum of the study. The main focus of the study is on the following:

Housing Needs Analysis for Downtown

Identification of downtown Redevelopment Potential

Parking and Pedestrian Analysis of the Main Street Parking Lot

Reuse studies for the historic Union Block and historic Leonard Block

There has been excellent public input during the development of the study garnered from civic engagement meetings as well as interviews with downtown stakeholders. Major themes concerning downtown that have been discussed include:

Pedestrian Circulation and Parking:

Concurrence on lack of foot traffic in downtown and desire to increase people wanting to shop and spend time in the downtown area.

Need for public infrastructure improvements to enhance pedestrian movement/circulation

Pursue the creation of a “Riverwalk” and green space along the Mill River, especially in the back of City Hall parking area.

Need to look at parking protocol and parking impact from courthouse development.

Need for a defined central roadway through the parking area behind Main Street.

Need for more lighting because people are afraid to park in lots at night.

Improve pedestrian access across Main Street to Taunton Green and Broadway.

Housing:

Agreement that in order to create a neighborhood environment, there needs to be more housing in the downtown.

Support for residential reuse of vacant second stories.

Support a mix of housing options, including market rate and “working force” affordable rentals.

Support for Live-Work studio space for artists in second stories.

Creation of more housing that is attractive to young professionals.

Support for housing development that is well managed and has associated parking and open space.

Business and Economic Development:

Explore possibilities for a college/university presence including classrooms and/or downtown campus for Bristol Community College or Bridgewater State College.

Explore possibilities for a “Downtown Event Center” or “Arts Center” such as the Narrow Arts Center in Fall River.

Create a downtown “open space” near the river for outdoor theater, a farmers market and other promotional events.

Desire to celebrate the history of downtown as a vital and busy place that has only in the last ten years lost its market focus.

Support for marketing efforts downtown including the Business Improvement District.

Support for a new campaign for “buying locally” and shopping downtown-creative use of incentives to promote campaign, such as discount cards and business specials. Post “Buy Downtown” Campaign on HOT, Neighborhood Corporation, and City of Taunton websites.

Downtown Buildings

Agreement that there is a problem with absentee property owners and their lack of any involvement or commitment to downtown.

Agreement to capitalize on the unique architecture and historic buildings in the core downtown area.

Blighted buildings are a health and safety problem for downtown as well as project a negative image on the entire downtown.

Historic Landmark buildings are the downtown’s strength, give it character, and define its place as a historical area.

Need for the city and its officials, the Heart of Taunton, and the downtown property owners to work together on redevelopment projects and promotion of downtown Taunton.

The most common comment was the “JUST DO SOMETHING!” attitude; that it is important to move forward with a “bricks and mortar” project that will have a positive impact on downtown and give the impetus to spur other revitalization projects.

NEXT PUBLIC EVENT: The Heart of Taunton and the Neighborhood Corporation are planning a Study Presentation “Downtown Taunton: Sharing the Vision” on August 13, 2009 at 11:30 AM at the new El Mariachi Restaurant. Come learn about potential redevelopment projects being planned for downtown and become involved in moving forward with the rebirth of the Heart of Taunton!

Study Update: May 2009

2009-05-21T11:08:00.000-07:00

The Downtown Taunton Development Study’s first Public Workshop, “Downtown Taunton: Challenges & Opportunities,” was held over two sessions on May 13 and 20. Over 60 participants attended, including residents, business owners, nonprofit leaders, and city and state officials. (Click here to view the maps presented at the Workshop.)

The Workshop began with a presentation by Ed Lambert, Director of the UMass Dartmouth Urban Initiative, on the initial results of his institute's recently concluded downtown Taunton study, which focused on assets and obstacles to revitalization; existing and potential partnerships; available space; and parking utilization.

Some preliminary conclusions presented by Lambert were:

The vacancy rate in downtown Taunton is not overly significant; there are, however, several highly visible vacancies that create a negative perception
Over 800 parking spaces are available in downtown Taunton; less than ½ are occupied, even at peak times, and there is greatest availability after 5:00 pm

Lambert went on to present the findings of a stakeholder survey that his team conducted on the perceived challenges and opportunities facing downtown. Survey respondents indicated the following as top challenges:

Attracting more people downtown in the evenings
Reducing vacancy rates
Improving image
Coordinating a vision for downtown
Improving parking areas and signage

Respondents indicated downtown Taunton’s history, architecture, and central geographic location as its key strengths. As Lambert noted, downtown Taunton has “good bones,” including the infrastructure needed for successful redevelopment.

The Narrow Gate, the Downtown Taunton Development Study’s architectural consultants, then presented potential revitalization strategies for downtown, based, in part, on a building use and housing assessment map they created as part of the Study.

The Narrow Gate principal Kitty Ryan explained that there are currently only 275 housing units in the downtown; to create a more vibrant neighborhood and spur commercial and retail development, additional housing is needed. She then identified several buildings with mixed-use redevelopment potential.

The architectural team went on to suggest possible parking improvements to support housing development downtown, including better pedestrian access, lighting, landscaping, and signage. The architects were particularly interested in the potential of the “Allens Avenue” parking lot (located behind City Hall) because of its proximity to potential redevelopment properties, as well as its attractive riverfront location.

Comments from those in attendance at the Workshop included:

We need to make downtown more attractive for housing development, including market-rate development
The City of Taunton is committed to downtown revitalization, and is currently focusing the investment of community development money on the downtown
A downtown Business Improvement District (BID) organizing effort is now underway
The state is already making a significant investment in downtown Taunton through the $70 million courthouse project; this can be a huge catalyst for growth
People are getting tired of study after study – we need to sustain the current enthusiasm for downtown revitalization and turn it into tangible results

For more on the Downtown Taunton Development Study, view two recent newspaper articles:

Public comments and questions regarding the Downtown Taunton Development Study are encouraged. Please click the “comments” link below to add your input. Comments may be signed or published anonymously.

Study Update: April 2009

2009-04-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

The Downtown Taunton Development Study Team – including the Office of Economic and Community Development, the Heart of Taunton, the UMass Dartmouth Urban Initiative, and the Neighborhood Corporation – began its work early this spring. Assisting the Study are the Narrow Gate, an architectural and engineering firm, and Commonweal Collaborative, financial and historical consultants. Several other agencies and organizations, including the Old Colony Historical Society, have provided helpful background data in support of the project.

As part of the Study, a downtown property database, market analysis, parking and pedestrian analysis, and housing and foreclosure analysis are currently underway. In addition, three key downtown sites have been identified and are being studied in detail for their redevelopment potential, including structural assessments, zoning and code review, and reuse and financing options. These key sites are:

Leonard Block/Star Theater, 107 Main Street
Taunton Antiques Center, 21/25 Main Street (Union Block)
Dorsey Property, 27 Main Street (Union Block)

Study data and plans will be made accessible to the public as they become available, both on this blog and at a series of Public Workshops.

Your input – whether as a resident, employee, business or property owner, community volunteer, or civic leader – is vital to this Study, and will provide the context within which recommendations for the revitalization of downtown Taunton will be developed. You are invited to share your ideas, questions, and concerns at our Public Workshops and/or by posting comments here.

While all comments are welcome, some questions to consider are:

What types of development would you like to see in downtown Taunton (residential, commercial, civic, green space, etc.)?
What types of business, amenities, or public facilities does downtown need?
What are the positive aspects of downtown that you would like to see preserved?
What are the negative aspects of downtown that you would like to see addressed?
What would make downtown a more pleasant/convenient place to live and work?
What would make downtown more attractive to new business and investment?
What are your specific ideas/questions/concerns regarding the “key sites” being assessed in this study (the Leonard Block and Union Block buildings)?
What would you like downtown Taunton to look like in 5 years? In 20 years?

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with the Downtown Taunton Development Study Team. We invite you to learn more about the Study, and provide further input, at our first Public Workshop:

DOWNTOWN TAUNTON: CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES
Day Session: Wednesday, May 13 at 12pm, First Parish Church, Church Green, Taunton
Evening Session: Wednesday, May 20 at 7pm, Robertson on the River, 120 Ingell St., Taunton
(This Workshop is being offered twice to accommodate varying schedules; interested individuals need only attend one session.)

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. Childcare and translation services will be made available upon request. Contact the Neighborhood Corporation at 508-821-9347 or info@neighborhoodcorp.org for more information.

Welcome to the Downtown Taunton Neighborhood Blog!

2009-03-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

This site is designed to share information, ideas, and questions regarding the Downtown Taunton Development Study. Anyone interested in the revitalization of the downtown Taunton, Massachusetts area is encouraged to participate in this open community forum.

Check back here soon for more information regarding the Study. We look forward to your active participation in this exciting process, and to working together to revitalize downtown Taunton.

Please note that this blog is maintained by the Neighborhood Corporation, which is solely responsible for its content. This blog is not an official site of the City of Taunton.