My name is Sarah Turchin, and I'm a college student who grew up in Newburyport. I am writing about Newburyport's Master Plan for an environmental psychology class. I have some general open-ended questions about the creation of the plan and its present use, and I'm also interested in people's personal opinions about Newburyport's development in general. There are a lot of questions, obviously feel free to answer only the ones you have something to say about. Thanks so much for your time!
Questions:
The Master Plan states that the biggest priority for the city is public parking. Do you agree with this? Why or why not? If not, what do you think the biggest priority[ies] for the city should be?
Do you agree with the Master Plan's desire to convert the parking area next to the Firehouse into open space? How do you think the city will support the increasing need for parking?
If you're familiar with the Master Plan, do you agree with its initiatives? Do you think they are currently being implemented as planned?
How do you think the city should balance the need for open space with the increasing amount of people moving to Newburyport?
What do you think about creating "Local Historic Districts" to protect historically significant neighborhoods?
Do you support an increase of business in the Industrial Park? Why or why not?
The Master Plan calls for the city to have 10% of housing in the city be affordable (by state standards) by the year 2010. Do you think this is feasible? Why or why not?
What would you change about the Master Plan?
The motto of the Master Plan is "Shaping our Future, Honoring our Past", do you think Newburyport is achieving this? Why or why not?
The guiding principles for the plan are "environmental quality, economic vitality, and social equity". How do you think the city is/is not balancing these elements?
How do you think Newburyport can support an increase in tourism and immigration to the city while still preserving its historical foundation?
Do you think the Master Plan/future of the city finds a common ground for people who were born and raised in Newburyport and those who are recent immigrants to the city?
The Master Plan states that the "vision of Newburyport in 2020 is not much different from the city of today? How do you reconcile this notion with the recent purchase of land by develop Stephen Karp? And with the increase in property rents that have caused local retailers to have to relocate?
Do you think Newburyport has adequate public transportation within the city?
Finally, what are your general fears and hopes for Newburyport's future?
1 comment:
Opinion about one of the questions:How do you think the city should balance the need for open space with the increasing amount of people moving to Newburyport?
False premise =false choices.
If you ingnore municipal boundaries we have lots of open space available easily to residents for recreation, nature, etc. Newburyport, Newbury, Rowley, West Newbury, Amesbury,Salisbury, all have accessible and terrific public open spaces, Refuge, beaches, city and state parks, etc.
Allowing higher intown density, multifamily housing, and things like 'granny flats' on High St could easily accomodate new residents including 'affordable' housing.
IMO sometimes some people may spin for 'open space' more out of NIMBY for no growth or change of any kind rather than sincere desire for providing parks, ecosystems, etc.
Post a Comment