Downtown Streetscape

Streetscape Project Update

January 9, 2009 Construction Update Report

Town of Canton is announcing the restart of the Downtown Streetscape Project’s final phase. Startup is scheduled for on or about April 1. It is expected the project will be completed on or about September 30^th,

The Canton Public Works Department will be overseeing the Washington Street “sidewalk and street rehabilitation” project. This work will be ongoing for approximately four weeks along Washington Street, between Ridge Hill Road and Pecunit Street. Funding for the project will be provided for by the State under the Chapter 90 roads program. Please see Streetscape Project tab below, for more important contact information including; specifically assigned staff available to assist the public with any questions and or issues that may come up.

Please note: in order to accomplish the completion of all work, traffic will be impacted in the Downtown. As a result, all motorists are asked to be aware of this work and to expect delays. The Town of Canton appreciates the cooperation and patience of everyone, especially the businesses located in downtown Canton.

Board of Selectmen – Announce Opening

  Streetscape Project – Oversight and Management Office

Location: 719 Washington Street (Rear - first floor behind The Newsstand)

In order to provide downtown businesses and resident’s access to knowledgeable streetscape project personnel and information, the Board of Selectmen has required the opening of this office.

Located conveniently in the downtown, the office is staffed with project representatives available to the public as a resource for information relating to the project, including any complaints, issues or questions.

Inquires may be made in person or via telephone by calling 781-575-0550.

Project Representatives available to assist include:
1. Waterfield Representative – Jeff Kane
2. Town of Canton - Town Engineer – Jim Donovan, 781-821-5063,
                                                            jdonovan@town.canton.ma.us

Design Plan
(PDF - 11 MB)

July 5, 2007

RE: Downtown Streetscape Project – Update

Dear Owner/Operator,

As you may know the Downtown Streetscape Project construction will begin on or about July 16, 2007. The Town has engaged J. Marchese & Sons Inc. of Everett MA for this project.

The first phase of the work will begin in the area of Neponset Street and Cape Cod Lane. The public should be aware this phase of work will last approximately seven weeks.

The entire project is “contracted” to be completed by May 2008.

The Project will be supervised by the Public Works Department (Engineering Division), Waterfield Design (our design consultant) and a specifically assigned Clerk of the Works also representing the Town and property owners and operators located in the Downtown. Our Clerk will be charged with making sure the project is built as designed and to assist with any problems or issues that present themselves along the way.

The Town requests anyone with any problems or concerns regarding the project contact our Clerk. To make this communication more efficient, the Clerk and the Contractor will rent space in the Downtown area. They will hold office hours and regular meetings concerning project progress and deal with any issues that need to be addressed. At the appropriate time, contact information will be widely distributed including direct telephone line access to key project representatives.

In the initial start up phase if you need to make contact for any reason please call Mr. James Donovan, Canton Town Engineer. Jim will be the Project Director. He can be reached by calling (781) - 821-5063.

A copy of this letter will also be sent to the Downtown Business Association and the Canton Association of Industries. Please share this information with anyone you feel would have an interest.

Please consult Canton Cable Eight and the Town Web Site for more information as it becomes available.

June 7, 2007 - Board of Selectmen Announce Construction Start Date

Board of Selectmen has successfully petitioned the State for supplemental funding and has received notification that the Town will receive an additional $847,000 for this important Downtown project. Total project grant funding now totals 2.66 million dollars.

The construction phase of the Project will begin on or about July 15^th, 2007.

The Board of Selectmen has made final changes to project design to minimize impact on downtown parking in response to feedback received during the design phase. The Board continues to finalize administrative matters related to the project, including contract execution, as the bidding process has already been completed. The contractor is set to mobilize in the downtown on or about July 15th. Informational mailings, web notices, media stories and additional public meetings are planned.

Streetscape improvements are designed along the route in public areas on Washington Street, from Sherman to Neponset Street. Improvements include; brick and concrete sidewalks, new granite crosswalks, historic style traffic lights, planting areas and public shade trees, new signage, benches and a variety of landscaped pocket parks to name a few examples.

A portion of the grant funding will be used to hire a full time project manager to be responsive to business and residential concerns that may present themselves during the approximately seven month construction schedule.

Additional details and information to follow.

Downtown Streetscape Project Design Planning Committee

Mission Statement

It shall be the duty of the Downtown Streetscape Project Design Planning Committee (DSPDPC) to guide and oversee, on behalf of the Board of Selectmen, the public communication and outreach process to ensure the public plays an active and effective roll in determining the ultimate streetscape improvements to be accomplished in the downtown. The Committee is charged with establishing innovative, convenient and efficient communication methods to ensure public participation throughout the design process. The Committee shall oversee the identification and recommend the selection of the most qualified design firm based on experience with similar projects. The Committee shall also identify a reasonable and efficient schedule for the completion of the design portion of this project. The Committee shall organize and utilize various public outreach methods including conducting a series of public meetings. Such outreach shall be designed to make the public aware of the project goals, progress, elicit information and feedback as to the kinds of streetscape improvements the general public, residents of the downtown, business owners and property owners, feel will best accomplish the overall goals of a Downtown Revitalization effort consistent with the State grant. the Committees work shall be complete upon the approval of the final design of the streetscape improvements by the Board of Selectmen. Further, the Committee shall be responsible, from time to time on an as needed or as directed bases, to provide to the Board of Selectmen, status reports as to the progress of the committees activities.

Committee Members

Shirley Morse - Beautification Comm

Christina Carlton - Staff

Christopher Podgurski - Citizen

Charles E. Doody - Fire Dept

James Donovan - Town Engineer

Ed Walsh - Building Commissioner

Helena Findlen - Police Dept

Helen McHowell - Downtown Business

Judith Nelson - Staff

Kevin McCormick - Downtown Business

Lisa Lopez - Citizen

Mike Trotta - Supt. of Public Works

Avril Elkort - Selectmen

Sal Salvatori - Selectmen

.Recreation William T. Friel - Town Administrator

Planning

Tentative Meeting Schedule

All meetings are open to the public and held on Wednesday at 8:00 am in the Salah Meeting Room, Memorial Hall, 801 Washington St, Canton MA unless otherwise noted:

December 15

December 29

January 5 *

January 12

January 20 *

January 26 - cancelled

February 9

February 22 *

February 23

March 1 *

* January 5, Wednesday at 7:00 pm with DBA and CAI at Library Community Room

* January 20, Thursday at 7:00 pm - Open to the Public at Library Community Room

* February 22, Tuesday evening to present rough draft report to Board of Selectmen
at Town Hall in the Salah Meeting Room (time to be announced)

* March 1, Tuesday evening to present final report and presentation to Board of Selectmen
at Town Hall in the Salah Meeting Room (time to be announced)

Current Meeting Agenda
(pdf)

Project Documentation

Grant Submission Form Letter of Award RFP for Design Services

(pdf 845K) (pdf 45K) (pdf 1.3MB)

Design Concepts

Public involvement is crucial to the design and implementation of the Downtown Streetscape Project. As such we have compiled some examples of different projects that have been completed.

Design Concept Examples
(Powerpoint show 4MB)

Constituent Feedback

If you have any comments or suggestions you can click on the link below and submit your ideas to the committee.

On-Line Questionnaire

01/09/2009