Rebuild Springfield readies final plan for city neighborhoods damaged by June tornado

Springfield residents have a few more opportunities to contribute to the final comprehensive plan for the rebuilding effort of the Rebuild Springfield.

In the second week of December, the third open forum district meetings took place throughout the city, with many residents working together with the planning team on the draft rebuilding plan. Last week, a summary of the working progress in District 1 (South End and Metro Center) and District 2 (Maple High-Six Corners, Forest Park, Old Hill and Upper Hill) was published.

This week?s column summarizes the District 3 meeting (East Forest Park and Sixteen Acres), which was held at the Greenleaf Community Center on Dec. 13, as well as the early stages of the overall plan for the rebuilding efforts.

Vision for District 3

Community members from District 3 met with the Planning Team to review specific initiatives and implementation opportunities that are being proposed as part of the Rebuild Springfield effort. These components come directly from earlier community and stakeholder meetings, as well as focused suggestions on the project website (www.rebuildspring
field.com). The proposed initiatives are also posted to the related Mindmixer website (rebuildspringfield.mindmixer.com) for on-going online input.

The defined vision for District 3 is to pursue a renewed dedication to a connected and family friendly community. The goals are to rejuvenate our natural character, craft well-designed and efficient homes, and support strong neighborhoods that are anchored by schools, parks, and community facilities of the highest quality.

At this stage of the planning, the emphasis is on identifying specific partners, resources and action steps to make the vision a reality. The major moves include:

• Restore and Enhance Natural Resources: The major moves of this recommendation are the reforestation of blighted areas and the enhanced use of parks, green spaces, and water bodies through better access and linkages. One of the major initiatives is a planned interconnected greenway and trail system that would link the Watershops Pond area, Nathan Bill Park, Murray Park, Helen C. White Conservation Area, Veterans Golf Course, Bass Pond, Camp Wilder Mill Pond and beyond.


• Maximize Impact of Schools and Community Facilities: The team recognizes that quality schools as act as strong community anchors and contribute to a positive sense of connection. The major initiatives of this recommendation are to strategically and comprehensively rebuild the three schools in the district better than before the tornado. Another potential initiative is the location of a permanent brach library at rebuilt Dryden Memorial School to create a learning activity hub for the entire community.


• Connect Communities: The city recently completed $1.6 million sidewalk construction and repair project, and regularly undertakes street maintenance and construction projects. The major initiatives of this recommendation are to coordinate sidewalk, bicycle and streetscape improvements with other recovery projects in impacted areas to maximize impact and leverage investment. Other iniatiatives under consideration are the expanded and coordinated programming of youth and senior activities throughout the community.


• Rebuild Homes to Strengthen Neighborhoods: The final recommendation includes rebuilding initiatives to preserve the strong, attractive, family friendly character of neighborhoods and apply appropriate zoning and design guidelines to preserve and enhance neighborhood quality. Another initiative is an aggressive maintenance and repair assistance program through a joint community task force.


• Overall Citywide Plan: Throughout the public participation process, the team heard about the need for job creation for long-term stability of neighborhoods. Many of the planning recommendations are grounded in ideas that leverage economic investment, nurture new and existing businesses, and expand career development opportunities citywide.

The second citywide meeting will be held on Jan. 5 and the final presentation of the Rebuild Springfield Planning Project will take place on Jan. 26. Both meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. at St. Anthony?s Social Center, 375 Island Pond Road.

We will discuss the numerous recommendations that will have impact across the city. It is critical that all citizens recognize the importance of weighing in on final development of plans and strategies that will impact Springfield for generations to come. This meeting will be the last chance for major adjustments in the plan prior to the final presentation and launch of implementation on Jan. 26.

Citizens may also share their thoughts about specific ideas and observations online at www.rebuildspringfield.com.

The planning team has set up a dedicated website using MindMixer, an online collaboration platform that brings communities together in a virtual town hall, allowing the public to be active participants in the planning process without having to attend the physical meetings in each district. The site invites citizens to share their ideas, comment on emerging strategies and plans and interact with the ideas that are being developed by the planning team and the city. The public can continue to comment on the draft plans on MindMixer page of the website until Jan. 13.

Source: http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?r5663608207

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