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Brighton Main Streets Plan, Community Meeting #2 Devlin’s Restaurant Thursday April, 30 2015 Meeting convened at 6:30pm This is the second meeting discussing the Brighton Main Streets plan currently being done by a class in MIT’s urban planning program. The economic and physical analysis was done in January and February and earlier this month the info was compiled and presented to the community. See notes from that meeting here: http://bit.ly/1CAdPFl The class has since come up with a vision for the Brighton Main Streets project. The vision is to “highlight Brighton’s unique identity as a cohesive neighborhood center of services, events, and activities that promote a healthy lifestyle and engage residents from all walks of life.” The class is thinking of branding Brighton as a hub for health and wellness due to the resources already established in the area. This will also go hand in hand with the Allston Brighton CDC’s work on the Healthy Community Champions initiative. At this meeting the class presented 12 possible interventions that were mentioned in the last meeting: ●
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Bike Infrastructure and Programs: ○ This idea included Hubway stations, bike lane maintenance, bike racks, and selfrepair stands. This will enhance road and sidewalk safety for all, generate traffic for local businesses, and promote healthy living. ○ Community input: ■ It’s hard to do more bike lanes on the crowded streets-- the idea of the painted (green) bike lanes are great! ■ More Hubway stations would be excellent ■ This should be a priority, it is something that is immediately achievable and won’t require much work with the city. ■ This can provide success for the organization and a sense of achievement Signage and Wayfinding: ○ This would include new signage throughout the business district to promote amenities and proximity to attractions. Could also be used to recognize historical sites.
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Community Input: ■ Another piece that is easy to achieve. ■ Can work with WalkBoston and the Landmarks Committee ■ Great way to highlight the history if Brighton Corridor Placemaking ○ This would include interactive street installations that promote a positive street experience. ○ Community Input ■ Could do a lot of interesting things on Market St. with placemaking ■ In other areas artists have designed things like trash cans or benches Food Cooperative ○ A business that is democratically controlled with all members typically having one vote. This could provide a source of healthy fresh and local food, encourage local employment, and decrease the environmental impact of a larger grocer. ○ Community Input ■ Is there a real need for this in Brighton? ■ How feasible is this really? Farmers’ Market ○ This would be a small scale seasonal retail market where local farmers and community members can sell a variety of fresh groceries, meats, prepared food, and beverages. ○ Community input: ■ Local businesses could showcase their products ■ Artisans, bakers, fish market, and delis could participate ■ Would have to coordinate with other area markets so there are things happening on different days Take Back the Town ○ An effort to fill vacant spaces with “pop-up” enterprises. For example a pop-up art gallery, fitness class, or even retail. This will enhance the street appeal of the empty businesses until there are permanent tenants and increase pedestrian traffic. ○ Community input: ■ Pop-up could be difficult but if the logistics can be worked out could be very interesting. ■ Pop-up clothing would be desirable for Brighton ■ Pop-up art, even just in the store fronts, could really create a more attractive business district Market Day ○ This would be a district wide event to draw people into and through the Brighton business district. Pop-up markets could occur in Brighton Center and Oak Square and local businesses could set up “sidewalk sales” to promote their business. Could be a one-time event to help people get to know local businesses and promote foot traffic in the area. This can encourage more consistent patronage of these businesses.
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Community Input: ■ Should do this more than once, it will grow once people learn about it. ■ Can have activities for families filling in more empty spaces ■ Could piggyback off of the parade day and utilize the street closures ■ Concerns about location because an access street to the hospital will need to stay open-- this can be remedied Rogers Park Food Forest and Natural Playground ○ This could be a productive agricultural and family-friendly use for some of the underutilized space in the park. ○ Community Input: ■ This could be similar to a sensory garden but bigger. ■ Maybe use some space as a dog park Brighton-Faneuil Library Garden ○ Could be a great space for a sensory garden including edible and scented plants, hammocks, oversized reading chairs, climbing zones, children’s stage, and art. This can expose children to nature and nutrition as well as a hands-on approach to learning. ○ Community Input: ■ Librarians are very excited about this idea ■ Maybe residents could take some ownership Health and Wellness Fair ○ An event to bring health education, awareness, and services to Brighton residents. This could offer residents easy access to services and education while engaging health oriented businesses, institutions, and stakeholders. ○ Community Input: ■ Could combine this event with the Market Day or even farmers’ market Business recruitment ○ Brighton Main Streets wants to proactively seek to attract new businesses to the area. We are looking to establish a recruitment strategy and target businesses. The pitch to businesses will emphasize Brighton’s significant population of students, young professionals, the growing senior community, and families. Will also emphasize the neighborhood as a health and wellness hub. ○ Community Input: ■ Focus on medical supply, similar to a pharmacy? Would be more geared towards vitamins etc. ■ Maybe a thrift store ■ Need to focus on branding-- a stronger plan is in the works