New Bedford 2020 - VHB.com

A City Master Plan New Bedford 2020Neighborhoods and Housing Goals1. Encourage and maintain a wide range of housing types throughout the city that reflect the historic and culturalcharacter of each area by supporting development that provides for households of all income levels2. Make certain that New Bedford can meet the need for affordable housing for its current and future residents3. Promote a mixed-use environment in Downtown New Bedford and other commercial centers and corridors toensure a vibrant community during the day, evening and weekends, that creates walkable village-likeneighborhoods throughout the city4. Monitor and enforce compliance with applicable building and health codes to ensure a safe housing stock5. Establish standards for the use of sustainable practices in housing rehabilitation and new constructionTransportationNew Bedford has a number of transportation assets that contribute to its accessibility by land, sea and air. Thetransportation infrastructure in New Bedford includes an interstate highway, local airport, water ferry service,freight rail, and regional and interstate bus service. Furthermore, the South Coast Rail project outlinesGovernor Patrick’s plan to return commuter rail service to the southcoast region by 2016.For our city to grow responsibly and meet the needs of residents and business alike, it is imperative that ourtransportation system is aligned to meet our shared objectives for targeted areas of commercial and residentialgrowth as well as those areas of natural and cultural significance that we wish to protect. To accomplish this wemust employ a comprehensive strategy that fully addresses the existing deficiencies and planned growthopportunities that will impact the overall transportation network.Transportation Goals1. Improve, enhance, and integrate the city’s public transit services, including shuttles and inter-city buses as well asregional passenger rail service, and the Fast Ferry service to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard2. Maintain or enhance vehicular mobility in the city while striking a balance between roadway safety improvements,gateway treatments, pedestrian comfort, and roadway character3. Control or regulate the amount of new traffic added to the city roads by clustering heavy traffic generators wherethey can be served by existing major roadways, such as Interstate 195, Route 18, Route 140, and Route 64. Enhance non-vehicular transportation opportunities and increase opportunities for residents to walk and bicyclesafely around New Bedford5. Develop access management and traffic impact study guidelines6. Consider traffic calming elements where appropriate to regulate high rates of speed7. Continue to pursue and advance major roadway infrastructure projects8. Continue to enhance the city’s freight service—highway, rail, and shipOpen Space, Recreation and Natural ResourcesNew Bedford boasts an abundance of recreational opportunities including: six major parks; 15 neighborhoodparks; more than 12 miles of trails and bikeways; 26 acres of beaches; and numerous public and privatebaseball, football, and soccer fields. The City is also a member of Tree City USA. Included in our system ofExecutive SummaryS-4