The Envision Needham Center working group presented a schedule on Sept. 10 that would produce three competing right‑of‑way concepts for Great Plain Avenue and deliver them to the Needham Select Board by late 2025 for a board decision. The committee’s role is advisory; the Select Board will choose which concept to advance and whether to pursue a temporary pilot before moving into final design and construction. The working group was established by the Select Board in 2024 to advise the Department of Public Works and consulting engineers on design, outreach and funding for the Needham Center corridor.
The Select Board’s June motion that created the committee asked the group and consultants to develop at least three plans: a version close to the existing four‑lane layout, a three‑lane (hybrid) option and a two‑lane option. The committee is required to evaluate each for traffic congestion, parking, bike and pedestrian safety, economic vitality and cost and to gather extensive public feedback on each alternative. The consultants and staff told the group they plan to kick off broad public engagement in October, including outreach at the town’s Harvest Fair and an online survey, and to package results for the Select Board in early November.
Staff and consultants said the next formal Select Board decision points would be: (1) selecting a right‑of‑way concept, likely by the end of this calendar year; and (2) deciding whether to pursue a pilot of a chosen configuration. If the Select Board elects a pilot, consultants will prepare three pilot options that mirror the range of design choices and run public engagement on the trial configurations. The group was told that a professionally run pilot should run a minimum of six months and ideally a year to capture seasonal use.
Funding and schedule expectations were emphasized during the meeting. The town is planning to use a combination of Chapter 90 highway funds and outside grants; staff noted the town receives between about $1,000,000 and $1,500,000 of Chapter 90 funds annually and will continue to “stockpile” those funds for years to help pay for components of the project. Consultants said the town is likely two to three years from breaking ground if the project advances to full design and that actual construction is likely to take at least 18 months and possibly more than two years depending on the scope and underground utility work.
Discussion in the working group repeatedly urged clear public messaging on next steps and construction impacts. Business owners attending asked for early, specific construction timelines and mitigation plans, citing previous long projects in the downtown and concerns that prolonged construction could reduce customer traffic for local merchants. The consultants and staff said more detailed phasing and a construction mitigation plan will be prepared once the Select Board narrows the preferred right‑of‑way option and the project moves into final design.
Decision vs. direction: the committee is to prepare materials and recommendations for the Select Board; no final rights‑of‑way decision or construction authorization was made at the Sept. 10 meeting. The Select Board retains authority to select a path and to require additional public hearings before authorizing design and construction.