New Bedford 2020 - VHB.com

A City Master Plan New Bedford 202011City Services and ResourcesOverviewAs a leader in the whaling and textile industries through the 19th and early-20th century, New Bedford was avibrant city that drew people to her, increasing the population. As a result, city leaders understood theimportance of adequate public services, infrastructure, and water quality. As an example, the Municipal WaterWorks opened in 1869, ensuring a safe supply of water that made expansion of the textile industry possiblewhile supporting population increase. More than a century later, the opening of our state-of-the-art waterpollution control facility has significantly improved water quality in Buzzards Bay and for the first time indecades, there is unrestricted public access to the southernmost peninsula.Today, New Bedford has 117 municipally-owned buildingsaccommodating governmental, educational, public safety,community, and cultural uses. Many of these buildings arehistoric in nature, including the present-day City Hall, eightactive fire stations, a former fire station restored as a firemuseum, a civil defense building, a professional grade firefighting training tower, the 1,400-seat Zeiterion Theatre, andnumerous neighborhood elementary schools still in use today.Redevelopment and rehabilitation of older municipalCredit: James Riccibuildings and construction of new facilities, including thewater treatment plant and several middle schools, reflect a growing vibrancy in New Bedford. The sufficiencyof municipal and school facilities and the recommendations for investment and direction are functions of threeimportant factors:> Structure, size, and capabilities of the community’s local government and departments, which affectdecision-making and implementation;> A community’s population and demographics, land use pattern, environmental conditions, andinfrastructure all of which determine the types of public investments that are most needed; and> Expectations of residents and businesses for types and levels of services, and the relative ability of the Cityto raise revenues to meet these expectations.New Bedford, like all cities, must deliver services to its citizens regardless of the strength of the economy.Public safety, well maintained streets, and essential services, such as public health, are the foundation of thewell being of the community. The core concepts embodied in the municipal services and facilities goals can beapplied across departments and programs, support broader community policies of efficient and effectivemunicipal services, and are compatible with a thriving economy that improves our quality of life.City Services and Resources11-1