Guest columnist Carson Poe_ Dismayed Northampton reversed its downtown pilot project (1)9/15/20, 10)10 AMGuest columnist Carson Poe: Dismayed Northampton reversed its downtown pilot project
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Guest columnist Carson Poe:
Dismayed Northampton reversed its
downtown pilot project
Sixteen days ago, I started a petition in support of Northamptonʼs
temporary Main Street makeover, or “road diet,” pilot project, the result of a
grant from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
I did this out of my dismay to learn that select business owners had started
their own petition — on the first day of the pilot, no less — asking that the
city “immediately reverse” the changes, citing myriad misinformed
consequences. I could not grasp how so many individuals could so swiftly
9/15/20, 10)10 AMGuest columnist Carson Poe: Dismayed Northampton reversed its downtown pilot project
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foist their business problems on something intended to help them most.
Today, I sit here, again bewildered, minutes after the city announced that it
would indeed revert to the pre-COVID Main Street alignment, apparently
caving to pressure from these constituents.
In my view, “business owner ” does not automatically bestow upon a person
some sort of public policy expertise, especially to a degree that should
scuttle a project of this magnitude. The term, at least for a large majority of
those who were vocally against the Main Street project, means a person
who signed a lease to open their doors to all prospective patrons, not just
those who arrive by car and magically find a parking space directly in front
of their destination.
Ironically, several of the opposition businesses are located on the second
floor of already inaccessible buildings! Another proudly displays in its front
door a sign reminding customers that it will not provide change for parking.
Fun fact: at Center Street, Northamptonʼs Main Street is one of the widest
Main Streets one can find. (Keene , New Hampshireʼs may be wider, but it
also features a tree-lined median). In other words, there is a surplus of
space to accommodate all road users while allowing for social distance.
There is also ample parking. More than 1,000 off-street parking spaces are
9/15/20, 10)10 AMGuest columnist Carson Poe: Dismayed Northampton reversed its downtown pilot project
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spread across numerous public lots within a block of Main Street and, thus,
nearby to many of the opposition businesses. This includes time-unlimited
spaces in a five-story deck where the first hour is free and businesses can
choose to validate additional hours for their customers.
Some of the opposition businesses are also citing problems with the
“process” and the way this project was rolled out. In fact, the city has been
trying to engage with a variety of stakeholders for years, and specifically
since November 2019, on adjustments to Main Street. It seems remarkably
short-sighted to not give the updates a chance because there wasnʼt
adequate communication or organizing. Note, too, that all of the
communities that received this MassDOT funding had to act quickly to
implement these business-friendly changes.
Nevertheless, do the opposition businesses support the “process” for how
the decision was abruptly reversed? Did they reach out to their city
councilor with their concerns?
As someone who has lived in The Netherlands, widely seen as one of
worldʼs mobility and livability leaders, I viewed the pilot as a good first step
— a showcase feature in a city that hails itself as a vibrant, progressive and
charming New England town center.
As someone who has spent nearly 20 years working in the transportation
policy and planning field, I appreciated the forward-thinking, bold effort the
city was attempting to make. As someone who prefers streets oriented for
people, and not just personal vehicles, the changes were fantastic and will
surely be a loss.
Carson Poe lives in Northampton.