More than two dozen downtown businesses are displaying their opposition to the planned Envision Needham Center project with signs in their storefront windows.
With the message Not Our Vision, they’re drawing attention to the town’s proposed pilot to redesign the downtown streetscape in advance of a May 13 public hearing at Town Hall. They want residents to understand the project from the business’ point of view.
Eileen Baker, owner of Proud Mary on Great Plain Avenue, spoke on behalf of downtown business and property owners at Tuesday night’s Select Board meeting, many of whom attended the meeting. “Our message is simple: do not gamble with the future of Needham’s business community. Protect the accessibility and economic sustainability of our downtown,” she said. “We are the backbone and the personality of Needham Center. These are our livelihoods at stake.”
The Envision project is part of the town’s long-term plan to make the town center more accessible and inviting. Select Board Chair Heidi Frail released a statement on April 17 describing the project and encouraging feedback. “The goals for the Envision Needham Center Project are to make Needham Center more accessible to persons with disabilities, pedestrians, and bikers which support the Town’s goal of helping to increase visitors to support local businesses. The project will also help address infrastructure deficiencies in Needham Center, including lack of accessibility, outdated roadway and sidewalk conditions, insufficient public shade, aging and inefficient drainage and utilities, as well as make safety improvements for pedestrians and bicyclists.”
The town hired the environmental engineering firm Apex to consult with the Department of Public Works on the project, which has funding from the state.
One of the main concerns of the businesses is the proposal to reduce Great Plain to one lane of traffic in each direction as it goes through the heart of the center. The draft plan includes some bike lanes and areas to sit, which a number of residents favor, but the businesses feel they will adversely affect traffic, parking and shopping.
Cassandra Thompson, who is part of the Apex team, said more lanes don’t always mean easier or better traffic flow.
“I know that seems counterintuitive, but it is true. When we’re talking about traffic it is not strictly that more cars mean more business or more attraction,” she said. “What we’re really talking about with this project, at the core, is creating a really unique and special destination.”
Thompson said Needham Center is highly vehicle-centered. “So we’re looking at ways that we can encourage more foot traffic, which is for the businesses, it is for the community to be social and to gather and to have these hopefully beautiful spaces to do so in a safe and comfortable way.” There are alternate versions of the draft plan, one of which adds parking spaces.
When the project began last fall the DPW brought together a working group to provide varied input on the plans. The slots designated for a business, a property owner and a restaurant were not all filled, and at Tuesday’s meeting the Select Board voted to update the composition of the working group to include individuals representing those perspectives.
Business owners are also concerned about the timing of the pilot phase, scheduled to begin in July, given current economic uncertainties related to tariffs imposed by President Trump. Select Board Chair Heidi Frail said that was the original timing, but she also said she’s not sure they are wedded to that timeline.
The town has scheduled two meetings for downtown business and property owners on May 1 to discuss the project. The May 13 public hearing at 6:30p.m. at Powers Hall is open to all residents.
“We ask for a stop to the pilot and a pause on this project,” Baker told the Select Board. “We have confidence in the town government that it is not too late, and we will be heard at the meetings on May 1 and May 13.”
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