Report from first two community meetings

The community meetings on March 15 and 16 were a big success!  The first meeting -- focused on residents' concerns -- attracted about 15 or 20 people, and we spent an hour and a half identifying community needs that should be taken into account in the final design, should the project be built.  Some of the needs and ideas included:

• Safe crossings for pedestrians at all intersections
• Continuous sidewalks and bike paths along the entire length of the project (including upper Pine Street)
• Good lighting and attractive landscaping throughout
• Measures to minimize infiltration of truck noise into neighborhoods
• Careful integration of public transit stops and facilities

Here's a link to some TV coverage from WCAX from the first meeting.

The second meeting -- focused on local business issues -- brought up many of the same ideas and needs.  In particular, there was strong support among business owners for a highly pedestrian-friendly design along Pine Street.  In addition, business owners focused on the following:

• Careful phasing and management of construction so as to minimize impacts on business revenues
• Improvement of parking along Pine Street