New Bedford 2020 - VHB.com

A City Master Plan New Bedford 2020However, through strong public/private partnerships and aresilient entrepreneurial base, New Bedford has fared better thanmost cities during this difficult time. New housing, retail andcommercial opportunities have been developed with potential formore through mixed-use development and the redevelopment ofunderutilized buildings. Strategic planning initiatives havetargeted areas where the reuse of mill buildings has transformedunderutilized properties into new centers of residential andcommercial activity.Further revitalization will depend on local, state and federalefforts to develop and implement plans for neighborhoodimprovements, the allocation of investment dollars to addressinfrastructure, targeting economic development, and addressing housing issues to create a sustainablecommunity. To date, a number of planning studies and initiatives have been completed to further these goals.For more information on these plans and their recommendations, refer to Chapter 4, Shaping the City.Targeted NeighborhoodsOver the past decade, a number of initiatives have been undertaken including infrastructure improvements tostreets, sidewalks, and parks as well as improvements to commercial facades. Additional efforts are underwayto rehabilitate the current aging housing stock, increase homeownership opportunities, and encourageeconomic development. In an effort to address the neighborhoods with the most critical need forimprovements, the City’s Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) has targeted fiveneighborhoods: North End; Acushnet Heights; South Central; South End; and Cove Street. Theseneighborhoods are home to mostly low- and moderate-income residents, with a diverse cultural and ethnicmakeup. The goal is to significantly improve the quality of life in these neighborhoods by removing blight,improving infrastructure, and offering a variety of assistance programs.> North End• Includes a portion of the Acushnet Avenue commercial districtmade up of a variety of mixed-use properties (small storefrontbusinesses with residential above).• 25 blocks of housing consisting mainly of multi-familytenements that are largely renter-occupied.• Many institutional properties, including elementary schoolsand churches.• Diverse multi-ethnic/multi-cultural population, though themajority of the population is white.> Acushnet Heights• Mostly residential, with several large industrial sites along the eastern edge.• Housing stock is historic and approximately 17% was vacant in 2000.• Population in this neighborhood is predominantly white.• Clasky Common, the city’s first public park, is a 7-acre green space located near the center of thisneighborhood.Neighborhoods and Housing6-3New Bedford has 15 organized neighborhoodgroups that are active and engaged in activitiesdesigned to make their neighborhoods healthyand safe for residents and visitors. NeighborhoodsUnited is an umbrella organization that providesassistance, oversight and coordination to thesegroups. The City’s Neighborhood and CommunityOutreach Unit assists residents by attendingneighborhood meetings and special events in aneffort to understand key neighborhood issues andprovide information to residents.Credit: OHCD