The WBID along with Jim Brown, Ward 2 City Councilor, were pleased to host an information night for property owners, business owners and concerned residents Monday night, April 5^th. We had over 150 people come to the Athenaeum and listen to Mark Cressotti, City Engineer, speak about the 5 phases of the Main St / Broad Street project.

At this time, the phases are as follows:

PHASE STREET FROM TO

I Broad Street Silver Street Academy St

II Main Street E. Main Street Lindbergh Blvd

III Broad/Main Academy Street Free Street

IV Main Street Lindbergh Blvd White Street

V Main Street White Street Free Street

The contractor has been working all week putting up signs and fencing off the trees they will be saving.

Phase I and II will begin as early as Monday, April 12, 2010 and run concurrently.

Both Main Street and Broad Street will go from 4 lanes down to 2 lanes with traffic moving in both directions. The plan is to complete one side of each street before starting on the other side.

The contractor has agreed to leave the parking lot at the end of the green open. However, they will need access to the green itself right away. Thus programming on the green has been stopped until further notice. The Farmers’ Market which begins Thursday, May 20^th will be held each Thursday 2:00-6:00pm in the Goodwill Parking Lot on Franklin Street, with parking on their premises. The new location for the Summer Concerts will be announced soon.

The city has worked hard for a decade to secure infrastructure dollars. This project is being financed with ARRA monies and will be addressing infrastructure issues. It is a state project, with the contract between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Lynch Company.

-The work will address the water system, drainage, re-pavement, new sidewalks, cross walks, and new traffic signals throughout and improvements to sewer and gas lines where needed.

-The project will be widening Main Street and adding a turning lane at Noble Street.

-The current railroad bridge will need to be removed in order to remove the stone abutments and achieve the widening of Main Street.

-The demolition of the gas station on the Main Street property next to Stop & Shop will make way for a new parking lot.

-There will be wonderful improvements made to the green…upgrades to the fountain, addition of a permanent stage, sitting area, engineered turf and the replacement of all trees slated to be cut down.

-The WBID will continue to communicate all information that we receive regarding the project.