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Authority updates on Pleasant Street revitalization; urban renewal plan under MEPA review
Summary
Staff reported progress on a Pleasant Street revitalization plan and an urban renewal plan that the authority sent to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office; the board heard that MEPA review is more extensive than past processes and may require revisions.
At the Feb. 26 meeting staff updated the authority on a Pleasant Street revitalization plan and a related urban renewal plan that has been submitted for review under Massachusetts environmental review rules.
Staff said the task force and Gateway Cities developers network have engaged with the lieutenant governor’s office to seek relief from extensive environmental review burdens for urban renewal plans; staff reported optimism that the issue may not require legislation but noted uncertainty about next steps.
The authority’s revitalization work on Pleasant Street focuses on first-floor storefront façade improvements and other small-business façade projects. Staff said façade work used ARPA funds and that funding for continued storefront improvements is not currently available through that source. Staff also reported the mayor’s office received a Bloomberg Philanthropies “Love Your Block” grant and hired Gloria Sadler as a local fellow to coordinate neighborhood efforts and resident engagement.
Staff additionally said a traffic-commission study will examine whether part of Quikeshan Street should be converted to one-way traffic to address sight-line and safety problems at the County/Pleasant intersection. The meeting record shows the authority will continue to advance the urban renewal revisions responding to the MEPA review and coordinate with city and state contacts as needed.
