The city of Concord will soon embark on its long awaited Main Street redesign, with construction possibly beginning as soon as this summer. While the project has been delayed as a result of construction bid issues on more than one occasion, the City Council will consider and likely approve a contractor/construction manager arrangement with one of the two firms that have recently indicated interest in moving ahead later this spring. It is currently unclear how the original Main Street plan approved earlier by the City Council will need to be altered to accommodate the available resources, but any plan must include significant sustainability aspects, both for environmental and financial reasons. The Concord Energy and Environment Committee strongly recommends a focused emphasis on sustainable design as the process moves forward.
Environmentally conscious and sustainable street design makes streets more attractive, comfortable and convenient for people while also minimizing pollution. Concord’s new Main Street can and should demonstrate best environmental practices that will bring positive attention to the city and improve people’s downtown experience.
The redesign of Main Street presents many opportunities to highlight the unique qualities of Concord by incorporating environmentally sound design features that create a sense of place in downtown where residents feel welcome, safe, and healthy. A number of these features have been incorporated in earlier versions of the plan and highlight sustainability strategies, but it is important that these features be maintained in any future version of the project.
The Concord Energy and Environment Committee envisions a Main Street on which:
∎ Low impact development, such as rain gardens and/or bioswales, help retain stormwater and serve as attractive natural features.
∎ Numerous street trees provide abundant shade, making people more comfortable outdoors and minimizing the “heat island effect” that would otherwise increase buildings’ cooling demand.
∎ Diverse native plantings attract pollinators.
∎ Pedestrians and cyclists are given dedicated space, appropriate signage, and well-designed bike racks and crosswalks to make bicycling and walking safe, pleasurable and convenient.
∎ Shielded and efficient light fixtures keep the street well-lit without causing light pollution or urban sky glow.
∎ Prominent recycling containers make it convenient and easy to recycle all types of waste.
∎ Solar trash compactors minimize labor costs and landfill space.
∎ New pocket parks serve as miniature retreats just off the hubbub of the street.
∎ Electric car charging stations are easily accessible in parking garages, not on Main Street.
∎ Streets and sidewalks are heated only with waste steam – no additional fuel is consumed to heat them.
The Concord Energy and Environment Committee looks forward to working with the city of Concord Administration, Mayor Jim Bouley, and the Concord City Council to ensure that sustainability elements are a strong focus of the Main Street redesign project.
The Concord Energy and Environment Committee contributes a monthly column to the Insider. The members of CEEC aim to inform and engage the citizens of Concord about energy, environmental, and sustainability issues and policies. CEEC works with city administration and the Concord City Council to identify and implement sustainability programs and strategies. If you have questions or you would like to become involved in the committee, please contact us at 225-8500. Werner is a City Councilor for Ward 5.
