PETER J. MILLER
Community Driven – that’s the new tagline in the city’s marketing materials. It’s also the aim for our department as we prepare plans and projects to address development and economic opportunities for the citizens of Westfield. Since I started in this position a short six months ago, I have been fortunate to partner with other city departments, local businesses and non-profits, and interested citizens on countless initiatives that we hope will lay the groundwork for growth. Additionally, we continue to tackle the everyday work that comes our way through citizen and business inquiry. I thought it might be worthwhile to share some of the diverse topics we’ve covered and plan of attack going forward.
Over the past three months, the department has been working with our consultant to develop a market analysis and feasibility study for potential redevelopment of properties on the south bank of the Westfield River. Additionally, through a grant from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, we have completed a Phase 1 environmental assessment on the properties to identify environmental risks associated with the site. The property, primarily city-owned, is situated between the newly-constructed parks near the Great River Bridge and the future Columbia Greenway. Along with the proposed development of the WHIPP Museum, we see this area as being the next opportunity in the city’s core district. In the coming weeks, we will share our report and gather your input as we prepare to move forward.
We’ve also put together an advisory team to identify the market and any barriers to the development of market-rate housing in the city’s downtown area. Again, we successfully applied for a technical assistance grant from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and their staff is currently analyzing our market conditions and speaking to several stakeholders about their experiences in Downtown Westfield. This project and the riverfront project I referenced earlier were both born from the 2009 Rethinking Downtown process, which identified these two issues as priorities to reinvigorate our commercial district. The Downtown Housing Advisory Committee will be meeting in September to discuss progress and provide direction as we progress. Public presentations are set for late September and November.
I have also been charged with acting as a facilitator for a coordinated effort to jump-start opportunities for artists and the creative economy in our city. Over the past few months, a core group of us from the Westfield Cultural Council, Westfield on Weekends, Westfield State University, the Athenaeum, the BID, the Chamber of Commerce, and guests have been meeting regularly to develop a strategy for benchmarking and providing opportunities for growth in the city for arts, culture, and creative businesses. In June, we submitted an application to the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Adams Arts program for a small planning grant that could assist us to identify those businesses and individuals who are engaged in the arts. Our long-range plan is to develop a system for collaboration and unified branding to showcase the many arts activities, events, and culture available in our city. With that, our community is hosting a Plug Into the Creative Valley networking reception at the Pilgrim Candle Marketplace on Tuesday. Sebastian & Sons Metal Works is the featured artist. For more information on that event, check it out at http://www.eventbrite.com/event/7625248323.
Lastly on the updates, the public ascertainment hearing on the renewal of the city’s cable television franchise will be held on Thursday, August 29, at 6 p.m. at the South Middle School Auditorium. The franchise agreement expires in March 2014, and this hearing is your opportunity to express your opinion on cable television service. Cable franchise agreements are effective for 10 years, so this is your opportunity to share your concerns.
?As you can see there is a lot happening here in Westfield, and your input is vital. Should you have any questions on the items mentioned above or other community-related matters, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or by phone at (413) 572-6240.
Peter Miller
Community Development Director
