DRAFT Concept Design of South Side Path with Boulevard Features

Review the 100% Design Plans, here.

Public Facilities Committee Meeting May 15

The Planning Department, along with project consultant Howard Stein Hudson, will present the current design proposal for the Washington Street Pilot. 

Review the May 15 presentation here.  

Review the *updated* roll plan of the design from May 2024 here. 

Review the 05/17/24 Memo from Planning staff regarding the approval of the 75% design here.

Review the 04/08/24 Memo from Howard Stein Hudson here.

Review the 75% design cost estimate here. 

Review the 75% design special provisions here. 

Public Meeting April 11

The Planning Department, along with Public Works and project consultant Howard Stein Hudson, presented the 75% complete design plans for the portion of Washington Street between Chestnut Street and Lowell Avenue. The update includes new details for proposed plantings, accessible bus stops, left turn pocket lanes, parking locations, and a two-way buffered shared use path on the south side of Washington. 

The presentation from the meeting can be viewed here 

A video of the meeting can be viewed here

Review the roll plan of design from April 11 here

Review the full 75% design plans here

January 17, 2024 Council Public Facilities Committee - Conceptual Design Presentation

The Council Public Facilities Committee voted to approve the preferred concept to be advanced to design. Review the meeting materials:

• Committee Presentation
• Staff Memo
• Meeting Recording

In the coming months, we will provide more detailed project information and opportunities for public engagement.

• Meeting Presentation with supplemental content (matrix of concept strengths and challenges, slides 55/56)

• Watch the Zoom video recording

The Newton Planning and Development Department and our design consultant Howard Stein Hudson have developed alternative concepts for the Washington Street Pilot project that were shared at a November 30 public meeting, which was recorded for later viewing. We will compile the survey results and develop a recommended concept for presentation to the City Council in 2024.

• December/January - refine conceptual plan
• January 17, 2024 - City Council Public Facilities Committee consideration of preferred concept
• Winter - Summer 2024 - design process
• Fall 2024 - project advertisement
• 2025+ - installation

The City of Newton is planning improvements to Washington Street between Chestnut Street in West Newton and Lowell Avenue in Newtonville. Our goal is to create a more safe, attractive, friendly and welcoming environment for all who use this stretch of roadway, including improved pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure for increased safety.

To help design this project, we invited public participation in two online surveys by Monday, June 12, 2023 (one for residents and one for business owners and managers). Thank you to the more than 1000 people who participated!

Background

The Washington Street Pilot project is based on the Washington Street Vision plan, adopted by the City Council in 2019.  Click here to learn more about this plan.

The Washington Street Pilot is intended to build on the work of residents, businesses, city staff and volunteers to improve this important corridor.

Washington Street in its entirety includes much more than this project area. In future years, the City will explore ways to improve Washington Street from West Newton to Wellesley, and from Newtonville east to Boston.

The City of Newton applies Complete Streets principles in its roadway projects.  Learn more about Complete Streets.

The principal contractor for this project is Howard Stein Hudson, who was chosen by the Planning and Development Department in 2022 following a public process.

Project Schedule (subject to revision)

Existing Conditions Analysis: Winter/Spring 2023
Initial public outreach: May-June 2023
Concept Development: June-November 2023
Public Meeting/Concept Survey: November/December 2023
Concept Approval Requested: January 2024
Design: 2024
Construction: 2025

Funding

Design for this project is funded with Host Community Agreement revenue from local retail cannabis stores. Construction will be funded with federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds.

Documents

• Outreach Survey Results (May/June 2023)
• November 30, 2023 Public Meeting Presentation
• January 17, 2024 Public Facilities Committee Presentation

Contact

For information or questions, please email the project team at WashingtonStreet@NewtonMA.gov.

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