New Bedford 2020 - VHB.com

A City Master Plan New Bedford 2020> Link educational programs and training to the needs of existing and potential businesses andemployees> Expand arts programs in schoolsTransportation> Promote and link many existing and planned transportation resources—interstate highway,airport, water ferry, proposed commuter rail, greenway/bike trails, and both local and regional busservice> Implement Route 18 improvements> Continue to promote and support the South Coast Rail project> Improve mass transit services to local colleges and universities, and the business park> Improve airport access while minimizing neighborhood impacts> Extend airport runwayOpen Space, Recreation and Natural Resources> Improve access to the waterfront for recreational purposes> Combine Parks and Recreation into one Department to streamline operations and coordinationbetween event/programs planning and facility maintenance/preparation/development> Obtain support from City staff, commissions, and boards ensuring open space and recreation is acentral and lasting priority for New Bedford> Secure additional sources of funding, staffing, and other support for park facility maintenance andenhancement> Expand outdoor recreational and open space opportunities for all New Bedford residents,regardless of age or ability> Protect natural resources and create new greenways throughout New Bedford> Enhance the quality and appeal of New Bedford’s streetscapes> Restore and enhance New Bedford’s park system’s historical and cultural characteristics> Initiate implementation and funding mechanisms to support open space and recreation needsHistoric/Cultural Resources> Continue to promote and support the Zeiterion Theatre and the Orpheum Theatre> Promote and link to the city’s many historical resources, buildings, museums, and cultural events> Prepare a community preservation plan> Promote other entertainment options, such as a movie theater> Develop a public arts program and encourage participation for people of all ages> Create incentives to grow the arts community, such as reduced rates for gallery space> Actively promote cultural and arts events through enhanced publicity> Create a City staff position to promote public arts and cultureAppendix A: Civic EngagementA-7