With a master plan for Medford Square already written, the heart of the city should be well beyond the vision stage. Please tell us what three recommendations of the master plan you believe are the most critical and what you are going to do to make them realities.
Parking is and always will be a major concern in Medford Square. We have limited space for the introduction of off street parking facilities, other than the one planned for Governors Avenue. One of the greatest attractions our city has to offer, besides its great history, is the Mystic River. I support the suggestion that a so-called river walk be introduced. I would support mixed use of the properties fronting on Medford Square's main streets. However, without provision for adequate off street parking, the residential use of the upper floors of commercial buildings is unrealistic. I will continue to work with our business community as well as our city and state officials to mitigate these important components of our master plan.
The three elements of the master plan that I feel are of the utmost is
We want to make sure that the Medford Square masterplan can deliver several very critical ingredients. They include the following: adequate parking; walkability; accessibility to destinations of importance; sufficient interesting restaurants; integration of cultural, historical and artistic locations and options including Chevalier; stores and services that can attract revenue and economic opportunity to our city.
Nothing excites me personally more than the master plan for Medford Square. The plan maps out a complete examination of the properties that the city owns and offers unlimited sources for ideas that could be presented. For instance I believe that Medford Square can have an element of a water front by clearing an area south of Clipper ship
Drive to expose the mystic river and incorporate a waterfront promenade as exampled by he one in New London Ct. and a plan to expand a connector to the Mystic river reservation to the south allowing biking and walking from the Medford square area all the way to the southern most part of Medford. Also my idea to bring a premier business such as whole foods, now taking over wild harvest in Medford to a parcel in Medford square. Think of the many other types of vibrant business projects that would be attracted, restaurants, and art gallery’s etc. that the whole foods would attract. I also would be a supporter of developing parking facilities, however I firmly believe they should be underground to preserve the landscape of Medford square.
I happily serve on the Revitalization Committee. I want to see positive movement. I agree that we need to see positive signs. We seem to be moving in the right direction. Firstly, much has been accomplished to move people to feeling welcome and comfortable in the Square. I have participated in many of the new annual events that are now scheduled. That is an objective of the plan already under way. Secondly, I want to see the ring road reconfigured and the park space established along the river. To achieve this I will continue to work supportively with the Mayor in his efforts to secure the necessary funding. Thirdly, the next thing we need to do is make progress in adding housing/attractive businesses to the square. To achieve this, I want to find a way to hire, in the Office of Community Development, a project manager of some type for this endeavor, who would act as a promoter of the initiative and over-see the project.
As far as Medford Square is concerned, I would love to see the river front developed with river front access, outdoor restaurants, and wider sidewalks for seating. I would love to see a place where people can live, work, shop, dine, and exercise, all in the same area. I think foot traffic is essential and more of it would boost the economics for our businesses. It would be great to get new and improved bicycle and walking trails in and around the square.
I have said it before, within the short term we need to find a developer or developers who would be interested in becoming part of this project. Without outside resources some of the ideas are out of reach for the city to accomplish on its own. I am confident however that the city will come into contact with interested developers, and until then we have to continue to make small changes to enhance the character and quality of the square.
I believe the following are critical to Medford Square: Rebuilding of parking garage on Governors avenue, development of site behind City Hall for mixed use and a study of the traffic pattern connecting Main St., Riverside Ave., Clipper Ship Drive, Salem, Forest and and High Streets.
Forums like this prove that Medford already has an energetic populace willing to find ways to make a vibrant city even more exciting. I've been working on this in my own way by interacting with business owners to ensure that the infrastructure that supports all of the businesses in town - the water system, the power system, the roads, and the maintenance of other essential city services, is in place. Now we need to build upon my work with marketing vision. Medford needs an anchor retail store, for example. Medford also needs financial support from the public and private sector to put into place longstanding plans to build up the waterfront near the downtown area to make the most of the area for the shoppers who go there. We're delighted to host the many restaurants, medical businesses, and banks in the area, but we need to make the people who work at those places and patronize them more comfortable by allowing them a place to gather while visiting - a park or boardwalk, for example. Our goal is persuading people who come to Medford to stay awhile, to go to downtown attractions such as the theatre or art spaces. I will continue to support businesses in Medford in this endeavor.
Putting the master plan aside, the need to have business and property owners being investors is essential. Eliminating the Ring Road and new traffic signalization is most important. Offering tax incentives for new development is critical for enticing new development.
