Post-COVID planning for downtown – please take the survey

From Town Planner, Sarah Raposa –

In December 2020, the Town of Medfield submitted an application to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to take part in the Local Rapid Recovery Planning Program (LRRP). The LRRP is intended to provide municipalities in Massachusetts with the opportunity to develop actionable, project-based recovery plans tailored to the unique economic challenges and COVID-19 related impacts to downtowns, town centers and commercial areas across the Commonwealth. Additional information is available on the LRRP website.

There are three phases for this program:

Phase 1 (Diagnostic) was completed from April to June 2021 and included data collection from the study area (see below for a map of the study area, Note: not shown, but the study area includes Basil’s on Frairy Street) to assess the current state of the physical environment and its impacts on customers and businesses and the impacts of COVID-19 on businesses in the study area.

Phase 2 (Project Recommendations) is currently ongoing and involves reviewing data compiled during Phase 1 and obtaining feedback from the community to develop recommendations for projects intended to help Medfield achieve its recovery goals.

Phase 3 (Rapid Recovery Plan Development) will be completed in August 2021 and will involve development of strategic project recommendations based on information gathered in Phases 1 and 2 and best practices collected from communities throughout the Commonwealth and the country. BerryDunn was paired with the Town to serve as Plan Facilitator for the program. On April 14, 2021 a BerryDunn team conducted a site visit of Medfield’s study area. The team collected data on the physical and business environment and presented findings to the Board of Selectmen on June 1, 2021. The BerryDunn team is currently working with Town officials to obtain feedback from the community for Phase 2. Please use the links in the survey to provide your thoughts on the study area, including suggestions for physical improvements, regulatory changes, economic development challenges, or simply your experience as a business owner, employee, customer, resident, or visitor to downtown Medfield. 

The LRRP approach considers six facets of downtown economic development including: 

• Public Realm:  streets, sidewalks, public parks and other public spaces
• Private Realm: commercial buildings, storefronts, parking lots and open space on private property
• Revenue & Sales:  strategies for increasing revenue of existing businesses; issues impacting business growth and customer traffic
• Administrative Capacity:  government regulations, staffing and oversight; organizational management of the district or business association
• Culture & Arts:  public art, arts and cultural institutions, businesses, events, educational facilities, etc.
• Tenants Mix:  attraction and retention of businesses and particular business types

Comments, suggestions and ideas are loosely organized in these categories above and can be posted on the Ideas Wall or by using the Study Area Map.

Survey Webpage: https://berrydunn.mysocialpinpoint.com/town-of-medfield 

We appreciate your thoughts!

Best,
Sarah

Sarah Raposa, AICP

Town Planner
459 Main Street
Medfield, MA  02052
Office Phone: (508) 906-3027

Work Cell: (339) 206-1773
sraposa@medfield.net  

www.town.medfield.net

Out of Office: last week of July and last week of August