Introduction

Historically, the City of New Bedford has been a commercial center for Southeastern Massachusetts.  The City's protected deep water port, strategic location between Boston, Providence and Cape Cod and its proximity to the Atlantic Shipping Channels and Georges Bank have allowed the City to become a whaling center, a textiles center and now the #1 fishing port in the United States based on value of catch landed.

  New Bedford is a compact, linear City, about ten miles long by two miles wide, with approximately 94,000 residents. The City is a diverse community composed of multicultural neighborhoods, rich natural resources, and strong businesses and industries. Years of sustained community effort, supported by a strong regional economy, have resulted in projects that are bringing new life and vitality to our City. Supporting the socioeconomic needs of the industrial base, an ever-evolving multimodal transportation infrastructure has been developed. In its many forms the system has sought to move people and goods both within the City and outward to the region with the utmost efficiency.

  Under the leadership of Mayor Frederick M. Kalisz, Jr., the City has initiated numerous projects that instituted a renewed sense of pride and commitment to the strengthening of the City. The School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) - UMass Dartmouth, in partnership with the City, is leading the advancement of the marine science  and technology sector  through the development of innovative and ground breaking scientific processes to facilitate understanding of the mysteries of the sea.  The City, in partnership with the New Bedford Economic Development Council and UMass Dartmouth has developed the Quest Center, a state of the art marine science and technology business incubator. The City has recently constructed a new state of the art Sealab Facility and is working in partnership with UMass Dartmouth to develop a new marine science educational program for the school children of New Bedford that builds on the strong educational foundation established by Sealab since its creation in 1968.  New Bedford is also actively involved with the Weed and Seed Program that aims to rebuild communities in high crime areas. The Brooklawn Park Senior Center was completed and now serves as a vital activity center for North End residents. While rebuilding the City's infrastructure and enhancing municipal services, Mayor Kalisz has also streamlined municipal departments and reduced the cost of providing essential municipal services. One of the most successful programs has been the change in solid waste collection. As a result of these strong fiscal practices, New Bedford's municipal budget has only grown 2.7% per year - roughly the rate of inflation. During this same period, the average municipal budget in Massachusetts has grown by  3.5 %. The Take Pride - City Wide crews work in every ward of the City making a visible impact on the appearance of the neighborhoods by clearing weeds and debris from streets, sidewalks and abandoned property. Many positive changes have occurred and based on the creation of  his strong foundation, there is no limit to future accomplishments.

  The New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park celebrates the City's special heritage, attracting a national audience to explore our City's history, architecture, and sense of place. The downtown is developing into an active place and other major redevelopment projects are moving forward, supported by both public and private funding. Our working waterfront, homeport to the largest commercial fishing fleet on the East Coast, maritime terminals, cruise ships and island ferries is gaining recognition as a unique regional economic asset and public destination. The seafood and fishing industries continue to thrive, making New Bedford a preeminent port in a worldwide market. The Steamship Authority has reestablished freight and passenger service the Islands after a 40-year hiatus. Design of the Route 18 reconstruction is in advanced stages and theses designs will reestablish safe attractive pedestrian connections between downtown and the waterfront. After years of planning, the Superfund Cleanup of New Bedford harbor has begun and the City has already completed the first two phases of harbor maintenance dredging.

  Many projects currently underway benefit from the sense of momentum and optimism created by recent successes in the downtown, around the harbor, and in targeted residential areas of the City. Future projects will continue to include every City neighborhood and will continue to be developed with the active involvement of residents.

  In 1999, a broad group of New Bedford residents and community leaders were asked about their hopes for the future of the City; a few themes recurred again and again. This report highlights the success of implemented projects, the progress of initiatives currently underway and the planned projects that are designed to fulfill the vision and goals of the City. These themes form the core of our vision for the City's future.

  The vision of the City establishes the overall themes that projects and programs will aim to achieve. The vision aims further defined be a set of goals and objectives that focus on priority areas throughout the City. This report documents success to date as well as highlighting the plans for the future.

Vision  

The City of New Bedford will work to provide an improved quality of life for residents, enhance economic development opportunities and enrich the experience of visitors so that...

• New Bedford will be a proud home for residents of diverse cultures and economic situations, who will have the choice to live within neighborhoods that maintain their unique identities.
  
• New Bedford will be a productive and supportive community that provides excellent jobs and training and entrepreneurial opportunities for residents with diverse skills, interests and needs.
  
• New Bedford will provide superior educational opportunities that will enable residents to achieve success in the technology-intensive global economy.
  
• New Bedford will promote and enhance its neighborhoods, the waterfront, working port, natural resources, and open spaces to achieve an improved quality of life for residents.
  
• New Bedford will provide a seasonal variety of cultural and social experiences for residents and nonresidents alike

Goals and Objectives

The City's goals serve as a framework within which recommendations and policy decisions will be set forth. Now that this framework has been established, the City's leadership will continually review the goals in order to set the direction for projects in the City. The goals serve as a guide for policy makers as they consider future development and redevelopment decisions. The City conducted a number of   public meetings to determine community values. During the initial stage of the citywide comprehensive planning effort in 2000 -2001, economic development, housing, demographics, and other program information was gathered which led to the development of goals and objectives. The vision for the future will be achieved through the implementation of projects that are the result of addressing the goals and objectives. The following goals and objectives were developed based on community input, data collection and City staff and consultant research.

Goal 1

Provide opportunities for economic growth to maximize local benefits

Objectives

• Develop an efficient intermodal transportation system
• Determine strategic areas for new industry
• Support and assist existing and new industries to obtain skilled labor
• Support and assist existing and new retail and service small business
• Support and assist the expansion of tourism

Goal 2

Improve the educational system and lift the educational expectations of the population

Objectives

• Relate education to the school's local community cultures
• Incorporate the schools into the local community
• Integrate the schools with the City's cultural and natural resources
• Encourage higher educational expectations of students and the community
• Improve access to and promote adult education services

Goal 3

Preserve and upgrade the physical environment and community services of neighborhoods

Objectives

• Enhance historic neighborhoods
• Protect established neighborhoods and City centers
• Widen the range of community facilities
• Encourage homeownership and home upgrading
• Promote future market housing to protect existing neighborhoods

Goal 4

Restore and expand the natural environment and open space system

Objectives

• Restore and preserve natural environmental resources
• Expand waterfront open spaces within an efficient working harbor
• Expand the inventory and usage of open spaces
• Offer a wide choice of recreational opportunities for all ages
• Use natural environments as educational resources

Goal 5

Create opportunities for unifying the City

Objectives

• Develop strategies to foster unity within the City administrative procedures
• Establish cultural, educational, artistic, and athletic programs across neighborhoods
• Rediscover with pride the richness of the cultural tradition of the City's ethnic groups
• Integrate the City physically and perceptually
• Highlight the entry into and passage through the City

Goals and objectives were developed to provide a framework for achieving the vision for the City of New Bedford. This framework aids in the decision making process concerning the physical and socioeconomic growth of the community. Decisions regarding where new growth in commercial, industrial or residential uses should be accommodated are essential. Key components of a plan include infrastructure, open space, transportation, and economic development.

The following represents an update of the projects and programs developed as part of the comprehensive planning process initiated by the Mayor, City staff, an interdisciplinary team of consultants and various organizations throughout the City in 2000. The process consisted of the identification of priority programs and projects that address the needs of the community. Projects are presented in three categories that address transportation, community development and economic development.

The projects that compose the framework are described in the following pages. These projects relate to the master plan components set forth in the Massachusetts General Laws and include land use, housing, economic development, natural and cultural resources, open space and recreation, services and facilities, circulation and transportation, as well as an implementation program. These elements are selected in order to guide the development that is currently underway as well as to structure future development around the common vision.

The City's Brownfield's Master Plan and the New Bedford-Fairhaven Harbor Master Plan, two major planning efforts, are highlighted due to their significance to the City's socioeconomic condition.

Completed Projects

The City of New Bedford completed several successful projects that provide the basis for the recent economic recovery and community improvement. These projects were identified from the initial phase of the comprehensive planning process that began in 2000 and have set the stage for larger, more complex projects to be developed. This section highlights the projects completed to date.

Transportation

Passenger Ferry Service

Two passenger ferry services operate out of the Port of New Bedford providing service to the islands off its coast. New England Fast Ferry high-speed ferry service to Martha's Vineyard began year round operations in 2004 and carried over 80,000 passengers. In its second year of operations (2005) it is on course to carry 125,000 passengers.  Passenger and cargo service to Cuttyhunk Island operates out of Fisherman's Wharf, making trips on a year-round schedule. Long-term and short-term ferry parking is available at the nearby Whale's Tooth Parking Lot with free shuttle bus service to transport ferry passengers from the parking lot to the terminal at State Pier. 

MBTA Bridge Replacements Phase I

In preparation for the return of commuter rail, several rail bridges within the City required upgrading. The 1996 Transportation Bond Bill authorized $136M to be spent by MBTA to bring commuter rail service to New Bedford and Fall River via the Stoughton Line. Three of the seven rail bridges were rehabilitated at a cost of $7M along the southern portion of the New Bedford Secondary.

Community Development

New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park 

A milestone event in City history occurred in November 1996 when Congress designated 34 acres of the City's downtown historic district as the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Incorporating approximately 13 city blocks adjacent to the waterfront, this urban national park was established "to help preserve, protect and interpret certain districts, structures, and artifacts located in New Bedford, MA, that are associated with the history of whaling, and related social, economic, and environmental themes for the benefit and inspiration of this and future generations." National Park status was widely acknowledged as a turning point for the City and validation from the highest levels of government that New Bedford's remarkable maritime and social history has played a significant part in the development and growth of America. Additionally, the Park has been a strong participant in local and regional transportation planning efforts.

Clark's Point Lighthouse Restoration 

The Clark's Point lighthouse served as an important navigational aid to generations of mariners. The first lighthouse was built of wood in 1797 and financed by New Bedford's merchants to help guide their ships safely into port. The lighthouse burned a year later but was quickly rebuilt and turned over to the federal government in 1800. After another fire in 1804, it was rebuilt of rubble masonry. In 1869, the light was placed atop of Fort Taber.

Clark's Point Light shone from atop Fort Taber for almost three decades before Butler Flats Light Station in the outer harbor replaced it in 1898. Clark's Point Lighthouse and Fort Taber were officially designated a National Register District on February 8, 1973. 

In 2001, the City restored and re-lighted Clark's Point Lighthouse. Restoration of the lighthouse, which stands independent of the fort's earthen roof, concluded the City's initial phase of exterior work to the fort. The light is not currently open to the public, pending refurbishment of the fort. The illuminating apparatus at Clark's Point Lighthouse is a U.S. Coast Guard approved marine beacon, registered as a private aid to navigation.

Fort Taber Park

Fort Taber Park is the City of New Bedford's newest park, and one of its largest. Located on Clark's Point at New Bedford's southern-most tip, this 47-acre park offers something for everyone. The park's proximity to the sea on all three sides offers visitors sweeping views of Buzzards Bay and the Elizabeth Islands. The park features important historical landmarks, as the site's former use as a military reservation dates back to the American Revolution. A public military museum is also located on the park property.

The new Taber Park Community Center is just inside the park's entrance gate. The Community Center is home to the Camp Kennedy summer program. The Center includes a  main hall, classrooms, and offices and a kitchen which are available to the general public and to organizations for functions throughout the year. A new structure has also been built near the playground providing public rest rooms and an outdoor snack bar/café.

Buttonwood Park Zoo

Buttonwood Park Zoo is a first class public amenity for the region's children and adults alike. Buttonwood Park has been a cornerstone of the community for over 100 years. Reconstructed and reopened in August 2000 with a new theme "Berkshires to the Sea", the park serves as an educational resource for the entire region. The new Zoo surveys the wildlife of North America, focuses on the wildlife habitats of New England, and concentrates on water quality and wildlife conservation issues in Southern New England. The park is accredited by the American Zoological and Aquarium Association and is ranked as one of the finest small zoos in the United States.

Roosevelt and Normandin Middle Schools

Roosevelt Middle School located in the south end of the City opened a new facility in September 2001. Normandin Middle School located in the north end of the City opened in September 2003. The new schools house students ranging from grade six through eight. These well built facilities, house science labs, computer labs, technology education shops, Family & Consumer Science centers, state of the art gymnasiums, and numerous classrooms. Keith Middle School is currently under construction and is expected to open in September 2005. The middle school concept is being embraced by the New Bedford Public School Department as one way to improve the educational system throughout the City.

Sea Lab

Sea Lab is an elementary through middle school program that introduces the marine and coastal environment to students. In addition to a summer program year round marine science programs are conducted by staff and local teachers in the area schools. The program is open to greater New Bedford area youth on a competitive admissions process. In July of 2005 a new 30,000 square foot, $8.4 million facility was dedicated at the former Poor Farm site in the City's Clark's Point area. The Sea Lab program is a progressive means of exposing area youth to the vast marine resources and industry prevalent in the community.

Working with the University of Massachusetts, the New Bedford School Department is developing a first of its kind educational program that will allow students to move from elementary school to post-graduate study in a seamless marine science program. Students emerging from this program will have the strong education foundation necessary to compete in the fast growing marine science and technology sector.

Brooklawn Park and Buttonwood Park Walking Paths

The City has established several walking paths throughout the park system to enhance the experience of visitors. Brooklawn and Buttonwood Parks benefit from these added features that provide a safe and effective way to enjoy the park.

Wamsutta Apartments

Wamsutta Mills, New Bedford's first textile manufacturer of fine cotton was established in 1846. Following the tradition of New England Mill owners, Wamsutta Mills built housing for New Bedford's growing immigrant population. The properties, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, have been completely renovated, with special emphasis on the retention of historic architectural features.

City of New Bedford HOME funds and additional private investment was used to restore the Wamsutta Apartments. The project involved the rehabilitation of 126 units of historic mill housing and the rehabilitation of three buildings on State Street that contain a total of 20 units. The completely rehabilitated units have been rented to low and moderate income families. The Wamsutta Apartments are located in the National Register Historic District of Acushnet Heights. Originally built in 1850, the Wamsutta buildings are the last remaining example of mill housing in New Bedford. The restoration of Wamsutta Apartments will be a major catalyst for the continued revitalization of the Acushnet Heights Neighborhood.

Clasky Common Restoration

Neighborhood renewal efforts such as the rehabilitation of Clasky Common in Acushnet Heights have demonstrated the benefits of close cooperation between the City and neighborhood residents in accomplishing tangible community goals. After nearly 2 years of community participation, planning, design and construction, Clasky Common Park reopened in December 2000. The re-opening marked the 178th Anniversary as the Town Common and 31st Anniversary as Clasky Common Park. The park boasts many new features, which reestablishes it as one of the City's premier open spaces.

The final construction included historic lighting, benches, new plantings, improved handicap access, an educational gathering area, memorial enhancements, and new walkways. Many of the neighborhood children utilize the park to be with their friends and family. The Clasky project dovetails with Wamsutta Apartments renovation.

Bike Path Phases I, II and III

Bike paths offer a popular option for short distance intracity movements as well as community recreational venue for people of all ages. The City's 3.1 mile bike path facility starts at the intersection of Cove Road and East Rodney French Boulevard and winds south through Fort Rodman proceeding north along West Rodney French Boulevard. The City of New Bedford seeks to provide an alternative means of transportation to the automobile for local commuting. Increased bike ridership typically results in less vehicular traffic and improved air quality. Bike paths are also a hallmark of progressive communities that seek to improve quality of life via public transportation infrastructure. The bike paths allow for beautiful views of Clark Cove and the harbor while serving a recreational purpose.

54th Mass Volunteer Regiment Plaza

The City has engaged in a collaborative planning effort with WHALE, the National Park Service, Historic District residents and business owners to redevelop the former Kerwin garage site. In addition to parking for shoppers and tourists, Custom House Square now includes a landscaped plaza along William Street with exhibits describing the site's historical significance. Custom House Square plaza memorializes members of the "54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry" who were recruited at the former building just west of the Custom House.  

Caroline Street Elderly Housing

The multi-million dollar revitalization project to the Caroline Street Elderly Housing Complex transformed the facility into a Supportive Living Center serving not only Caroline Street tenants, but also seniors throughout the West End of New Bedford. The rehabilitation of the Caroline Street residences allow for the renovation and re-occupation of eight fully supportive living units. A new Community Center includes a supportive living and medical center that will serve thousands of New Bedford seniors. Training and self-sufficiency programs offered at the facility are designed to provide employment opportunities for residents wishing to enter the fields of gerontology and home health care.

Invest in Kids Program

The Invest in Kids program is a City sponsored program developed to provide afterschool activities in the school neighborhoods for school-age youth based on the positive youth development model. A variety of activities are sponsored throughout the City. Some of the many activities the Invest in Kids program sponsors include tutoring, computer training, EdVentures, Media Team, Mayor's Youth Council, Youth Court, and Youth Whaleboat Racing. This successful program provides many City youth with enrichment activities in a safe, positive environment.

Taber Building Redevelopment

The Taber Building is a two-story, double storefront brick building located on upper Union Street in the central business district. The building recently underwent renovation for reuse as condominiums and business.

Economic Development

Standard Times Field

The 25-acre Standard Times Field site was occupied by a textile mill between the 1880's and the 1930's. As mill operations ceased, the buildings were demolished by 1935 and the site had remained largely unoccupied and unused since. Located south of New Bedford's South Terminal, the site is the area in which many fish processing facilities are now situated. The New Bedford Redevelopment in partnership with the City acquired the site in 1998 to create a 14 lot marine industrial subdivision, construct roadways and install utilities to provide expansion for marine related industries. Today, Standard Times Field is home to new state of the art seafood processing facilities, boatyards and transportation companies. The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has recently purchased a three acre parcel and will be developing a fisheries research facility and associated storage areas. Once fully developed, the businesses at Standard Times Field will employ an additional 350 people and contribute another $100 Million to the over $1 Billion of seafood related sales generated each year in New Bedford. 

Quest Center

The Quest Center is a state of the art marine science and technology incubator located on the northern edge of downtown New Bedford. A recent study conducted by the Donahue Institute of the University of Massachusetts has identified the Marine Science & Technology Cluster as a growing and vibrant sector in the economy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This study identified the need for a business development facility that would provide administrative support to emerging marine science and technology businesses.

The City of New Bedford and the New Bedford Economic Development Council created Quest Center LLC and in partnership with the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth they are providing management, administrative support and marketing for the Quest Center.

Freight Ferry Terminal

The City of New Bedford and the Harbor Development Commission (HDC) have a long-term lease agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management (DEM), which allowed the HDC to build the quick start freight ferry terminal at State Pier. Funding for the facility came from local, state, and federal sources. The terminal, which began operation in Spring 2000, allows intermodal transfers of waterborne freight and freight carried by truck and rail. In 2001, pier improvements included new fenders, dolphins, waterfront utilities, and a state-of-the-art roll-on-roll-off (ro-ro) boat ramp. The terminal features a 27-foot pier depth, offsite cold storage, and easy access to the interstate highway system. The HDC is responsible for the daily operation and maintenance of the facility. Queuing of trucks on State Pier and ferry based vehicular traffic to and from State Pier will require modification of existing roadway infrastructure and traffic circulation patterns.

Sovereign Bank Building

The site is located in the City's central business district and consists of two City blocks separated by Spring Street. Historic uses of both blocks were commercial and residential. The City constructed the police headquarters on the north block around 1900. In the late 1970's, a commercial building was constructed north of the police station. After demolition of buildings on the south block, the area was used as a parking lot by a nearby retail store and the police department. Spring Street, which divided the site into two separate blocks, was discontinued and the property assembled into one single lot. In February 1999, demolition of the buildings on site began. In June 2000, Compass Bank, which has now been acquired by Sovereign Bank, completed construction of a 5-story 150,000 square foot office building that served as their headquarters. This premier office space contributes to the renewed vitality of the downtown.

Star Store Renovation UMass College of Visual & Performing Arts

The Star Store was a 120,000 sq ft department store in the heart of downtown that was once the center of downtown commercial activities but had been vacant for 10 years. UMass and City officials partnered to develop the reuse of the building for an art facility for students. The state of the art facility opened in September 2001.

Cruise and Historic Ship Berthing

Waterborne tourism continues to grow. The City had over 25 cruise ships visit in 2005. The City under the Kalisz administration has aggressively promoted itself to the cruise market as an authentic working seaport and historic port-of-call, offering deep water dockage within a protected harbor. The passenger and freight terminal amenities at State Pier include full service marine and electronic repair, provisioning and close proximity to the Cape Cod Canal. The Whaling National Park District is also within walking distance of the cruise ship berthing.

The official vessel of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Schooner Ernestina, calls New Bedford its homeport. The Schooner Ernestina is a National Historic Landmark and was a gift of the Republic of Cape Verde. Launched in Essex in 1894 as the Effie M. Morrisey, she sailed as a Grand Banks fishing schooner, far-north Arctic explorer and trans-Atlantic Cape Verdean packet. The Schooner Ernestina Commission operates the vessel during the April through October sailing season.  

Tallyrand Site

The Tallyrand Site, a brownfield, was initially developed in 1973 for manufacturing polyvinyl chloride resin. From 1985 to 1989, the site was used to repackage a variety of products, including art supplies, personal care products and cleaning agents. The site became vacant in 1989 and the site obtained new ownership in 1992. A portion of the site was used for construction of a roadway and utilities to provide access to an undeveloped portion of the New Bedford Business Park. In 2000, Aerovox completed construction and began operation at a new 128,000 square foot electronic capacitor manufacturing facility on an 11.8 acre parcel at the site served by the new roadway and utilities. In 2003, the facility was sold to Parallax Power Components, which consolidated its operations at the New Bedford location and added 150 new jobs. 

Zeiterion Garage

The City of New Bedford secured $6M in funding for the construction of a new parking garage next to the historic Zeiterion Theater that complemented the recent development of the Star Store and Compass Bank buildings. The parking garage addressed the obstacles that impeded full development of the area including lack of safe, accessible parking for customers, employees, and the general public.

New Bedford Business Park

The New Bedford Business Park, located in the far north end of the city, has undergone extensive infrastructure improvements throughout the complex. Recently, 8 real estate purchases and 5 expansions in the park are estimated to account for an additional 3,000 jobs and $1 billion in total sales revenue. Preeminent international companies call the New Bedford Business Park home, including Titleist and Foot-Joy Worldwide, Polaroid, Johnson & Johnson and American Flexible Conduit.

Downtown Business Overlay District

In 2003, a Downtown Business Overlay District was established that formalized the policy of redeveloping the downtown for mixed use. The overlay ordinance allows developers to propose renovation of buildings within the defined district for business or retail uses on ground and first floor levels and residential on the upper floors. Allowing residential use in the downtown will aid in creating a more vibrant area.

Zoning Recodification

Under Mayor Kalisz's leadership the City has completed a total recodification of its zoning ordinance, the first such recodification in over thirty years. As part of this recodification modern land use tools such as Site Plan Review and Overlay Districts were adopted. Through Site Plan Review, the City has created a public process to allow abutters to participate in the development of as of right uses that will impact the quality of life in their neighborhood while encourages investment in our neighborhoods.

Mill Overlay Districts

The City has created three Mill Overlay Districts across the City which encourage investment and redevelopment of  historic mill properties that are now vacant or underutilized. This Special Permit process protects the architectural integrity of these buildings and provides flexibility for future commercial and residential uses.

New Bedford as a Brownfields Community

The City of New Bedford has developed a successful program that utilizes a progressive and comprehensive approach to Brownfields redevelopment. As a result of this nationally recognized program, environmentally challenged properties that once served as economic engines in New Bedford are transformed into new recreational and institutional facilities, commercial centers and transportation centers. A bright future is in fact being built on the mistakes of past contaminated and underutilized properties that have sat idle for years, locking up economic potential. The City is providing the leadership and the tools to make this happen and success in this endeavor has not gone unnoticed: New Bedford was selected as an EPA Brownfields Showcase Community in 2000 and Mayor Frederick M. Kalisz, Jr. has been recognized as a leader in Brownfield redevelopment.

The City has established a task force to organize and coordinate brownfield redevelopment. Members represent the interdisciplinary nature necessary to successfully redevelop these sites. This task force identified a Vision and Mission for the New Bedford Brownfield's Program and established a number of program goals.

Vision

New Bedford Brownfields Task Force will build a strategic framework that identifies, prioritizes, and enables the successful remediation and sustainable development of New Bedford's brownfield sites resulting in:

• Reduction in brownfield sites
• Reduction in environmental hazards
• Increased property values
• Creation of jobs
• An improved image of New Bedford

The City's Brownfields Program operates under the following mission and goals.

Mission

The mission of the New Bedford Brownfields Taskforce is to facilitate the assessment, remediation, and productive reuse of brownfields through solutions based on sound planning and economic principles, consensus, partnerships and communications.

Goals

• Educate Community - Develop a comprehensive brownfields educational program for the general public (outreach and school based programs), private industry, financial industry, and local government.
  
• Revitalize Brownfields - Reduce the total number of brownfield sites.
  
• Secure Funding - Identify and secure adequate funding for assessment, remediation, and reuse.
  
• Develop a Special Area Management Plan - Form a regional action committee representing the towns of the lower watershed and to develop a plan focused on port development, waterfront revitalization, and restoration of natural resources.
  
• Institutionalize Program - Develop policies, procedures, and frameworks for the institutionalization of sustainable brownfield development.

Under the leadership of Mayor Kalisz, and in partnership with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the New Bedford Redevelopment Authority and the private sector over 100 acres of Brownfield's in New Bedford have been redeveloped. Every $1.00 of public investment in Brownfield's has leveraged $22.50 million dollars of private investment.

Projects in Progress

As momentum continues to build, through the numerous completed projects, the City has moved forward in developing additional ways to meet the needs of the community. The projects currently underway will aid in achieving the goals previously outlined with an emphasis on community revitalization. A signature program that is in the process of implementation is the New Bedford-Fairhaven Harbor Master Plan. An expanded explanation of the plan is featured at the end of this section. Successful growth requires a continued coordinated approach to project development.

Transportation

Route 18/JFK Highway Access Improvements

Route 18 provides convenient highway access connecting I-195 to the harbor. Several issues have developed with road including poor intersection function, increased signal delay and north south trip times, poor pedestrian downtown waterfront crossing, which affects pedestrian safety. The three overarching goals of the project is to improve roadway vehicular and pedestrian safety, improve the visual quality of the roadway within the New Bedford Historic District, and significantly improve the safety and visual attractiveness of the pedestrian crossing function between the downtown and waterfront.

New Bedford Commuter Rail Station

Commuter rail service will extend to the City in the near future, linking the area to the region's economic hub. The reinstitution of commuter rail service will be developed in partnership with the MBTA, federal, local and regional agencies and officials. Planning for the station will be undertaken in conjunction with development of the rail line. Mayor Kalisz was successful in 2005 in obtaining 20.5 million dollars from the federal government to move this project forward

New Bedford Regional Airport Improvements

The Municipal Airport, with two runways each 5000 feet long, is located on 400 acres in the northwestern part of the City in an area bounded by Shawmut Avenue, Plainville Road and Mount Pleasant Street. The New Bedford Regional Airport continues to grow with the several active programs including the opening of the Bridgewater State College/Delta Connection Academy flight-training center in 2002, an increase in aircraft operations in 2004, and having corporate jet operations more than double in the past 3 years. The airport provides precision and non-precision instrument approach, with daily service to the islands via Cape Air. Flight schools also operate from the airport. 

Aviation trends have led to significant growth in regional jet demand in the domestic aircraft fleet as well as growth in corporate jet use and fractional jet programs. In addition, shifting regional demands based on people's travel patterns and development patterns of the Boston metropolitan region.

The New Bedford Regional Airport has several advantages including convenient highway access, a central location in southeastern Massachusetts, reduced airport access time/delay, fewer airfield delays, existing air traffic control and instrument approaches, available land for future expansion of facilities and lower operating costs for passengers, corporate users and cargo users

The airport commission continually programs projects to upgrade and improve the facilities. Recent airport improvements such as runway lighting upgrades, a new aircraft parking ramp, taxiway relocation, new airfield electrical vault and the Bridgewater State College/Delta Academy Facility all contribute to a better airport and meet the needs of its users. As a result of regional and national aviation trends, the New Bedford Airport Commission has initiated the process to study airport improvements and possible expansion. These improvements will include

• Expanded Corporate Jet Capacity
• Expanded General Aviation Capacity
• Regional Educational/Flight Training Facilities
• Runway Safety Improvements
• Airport Infrastructure Upgrades

ITS/Smart Port

The New Bedford Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) project will build on existing resources as identified in the New Bedford-Fairhaven Harbor Master Plan will result in a hub that will serve as the multi-modal information collection, surveillance and communications center for the City.

The proposed project will accomplish the following objectives:

Decrease the detection and response time to incidents and security threats by providing public safety responders, transportation system managers and maritime operations managers with a common information collection, sharing and dissemination platform.

Reduce congestion and improve safety and security by deploying ITS technology to improve the movement and distribution of goods and people between the portside, rail and the regional highway network.  Increase the economic development potential of New Bedford and the surrounding area through the use of ITS technology that promotes the integration of travel modes and connections between highway, rail and transit.

The City has secured a federal grant to develop and implement an Intelligent Transportation System. The Federal Highway Administration has now approved the City's work plan and the City will be selecting a consultant to assist with implementation of the first phase of this plan.

Route 6 New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge

The City has recently completed a conceptual planning process which has identified a third option to provide a solution to the long delays both landside and seaside due to inefficient bridge operations of the Route 6 New Bedford - Fairhaven Bridge. As currently configured, the bridge limits the viability and marketability of substantial areas of waterfront land within the DPA and many of the harbor's deep-water berths. This third alternative will now proceed through an Environmental Impact Study with the previously identified alternatives of continued maintenance of the existing bridge and replacement of the swing span to a bascule bridge. The City has recently secured a federal grant to fund the Environmental Impact Study. The City is leading efforts to analyze the design, planning and environmental considerations concerning the bridge area. Issues that need to be addressed include:

• Roadway alignments and approaches
• Connections to Route 18 and I-195
• Bridge design options
• Desirable water clearances
• Compatibility with harbor plan

Community Development

Coffin Building Redevelopment

The Coffin Building, currently owned by the New Bedford Redevelopment Authority is undergoing extensive rehabilitation as part of the overall Star Store area plan. The three-story building will be rehabilitated for residential and retail use. With the Downtown Overlay District in place, reuse such as this will become more prominent, increasing residential activity in the downtown.

Lupo's Block Redevelopment

The Lupo's Block consists of several buildings located in the center of downtown between William and Union Streets. The Lupo's building had long been used as a popular restaurant/bar and there are plans to reestablish a similar use at the site. The parcel to the north of the Lupo's building is under design for an office/residential building. The Bancroft House is a four-story wood frame, brick front building located over Lupo's. Rehabilitation of the building is underway for commercial reuse, which may include a restaurant/bar. The former Kricket's Klub is also part of the complex and is currently being rehabilitated for use as appropriate given the adjacent uses currently planned and underway.

Public Safety Headquarters

The City has embarked on the planning and development process for a new state of the art community friendly Public Safety Headquarters. This facility will house our Police Department, Emergency Medical Services Department and the Command Structure of our Fire Department. There are four phases to this Facility Planning Model. Phase I is Project Initiation. Phase II is Project Planning & Pre-Design. Phase III is Budgeting and Funding and finally, Phase IV is Design and Delivery. This Facility Planning Model is an inclusive collaborative model that has been successfully used in communities across our country to develop public safety facilities that meet the needs of the community. In conjunction with this process our Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services Departments will also complete an internal planning process through which we will continue to develop an integrated public safety policy. As the city embarks upon this exciting process, we will seek input from command staff, uniformed officers, firefighters, EMTs, non-sworn administrative staff and the public at large in an all-inclusive public planning process.

Riverside Park     

Riverside Park is another brownfield redevelopment and environmental remediation project located on the former Pierce Mill site in the north end of the city. Through a cooperative effort among several City departments, the plan was to develop the parcel into a recreational facility that also takes advantage of the riverfront access. Construction is expected to be complete by fall of 2005. The park will be a significant feature for the local north end community as well as for the entire City.

Downtown Arts District

A vibrant Arts Community and Art District is a very important component of the charm of historical cities and towns. In this light, Mayor Kalisz designated the Arts District in October 2004, designating several downtown blocks as the official arts district. Downtown New Bedford has an active and vital Arts District including AHA! Nights, expansion of the Whaling Museum, relocation of the UMASS/Dartmouth's College of Visual and Performing Arts, designation of the Whaling National Historical National Park, the restoration of the Zeiterion Theatre, the New Bedford Art Museum, Art Works at Dover Street, the Culture Park, the Artists' Cooperative, and dozens of art galleries which have opened or relocated to Downtown. The focus is to now enhance the level of the arts in Downtown with the designation of specific zoning and or tax policies for Art and Culture live/work spaces.

River Road Park

The River Road Park is a planned redevelopment of a parcel on the west side of the Acushnet River at the former Reliable Truss site. The proposed use is a park that complements the park on the Acushnet side of the river. It is expected that fishing decks, benches and green space will be provided. Plans will commence with full environmental assessment and clean up as part of the City's Brownfields program.

Acushnet Heights Revitalization

The Wamsutta Apartments Rehabilitation Project was a major piece of the City's overall revitalization strategy for the Acushnet Heights Neighborhood. The neighborhood has been targeted for revitalization by Mayor Kalisz through the Office of Housing and Community Development, and has been experiencing somewhat of a rebirth in recent years. Clasky Common Park, once the center of civic and community activity in New Bedford, has undergone a major restoration. The Park is once again a source of pride and a center of activity for the surrounding neighborhoods.

The Mayor's Office of Housing and Community Development hopes to continue the rehabilitation of Acushnet Heights by developing a comprehensive Revitalization Strategy for the neighborhood. As a first step in this process, the City has applied to HUD for designation of Acushnet Heights as a Revitalization Strategy Area. The designation gives the City more flexibility in the application of Community Development funds in the area, and reduces many of the reporting requirements for economic development and other activities included as part of an overall revitalization strategy.

Working with community stakeholders, the City will work to develop an overall strategy for the neighborhood that addresses a broad range of issues including housing, public services, infrastructure and streetscaping, and economic development.

Morse Twist Drill Site

The Morse Twist Drill site is a two parcel site in the south central area of the City that is currently vacant and undergoing environmental clean up on one parcel. Plans to redevelop the site are being proposed in conjunction with community input. Similar to the Payne/Elco/Alden site, reuse of the site will benefit the surrounding neighborhood by revitalizing economic and community goals.

Neighborhood Plans

The City has many active neighborhood associations that meet to address concerns of their community and to develop solutions to improve their community. The City will assist these groups in developing neighborhood plans that address in a comprehensive manner the various issues affecting the neighborhood. The plans will be consistent with the overall City vision, goals and objectives in order to unify and better the City. As noted previously, the Acushnet Heights area is one of the first neighborhoods to initiate this process.

City Gateways Initiative

New Bedford has several locations that provide an opportunity to showcase and highlight significant entryways into the City. In addition, as people travel through the City via the highways and major arterials, gateways will provide refreshing and easily identifiable markers indicating the entry into the City and neighborhoods. Several locations identified as major points of entry include:

• I-195
• Coggeshall Bridge
• Route 18
• Kempton Street
• Route 140
• Tarkiln Hill Road
• Dartmouth Street
• Harbor

Revitalized Urban Tree Farm

The urban tree farm concept would establish a section of the City to be used as a nursery for a variety of trees. As the trees mature, they would be replanted throughout the City as part of beautification and reconstruction activities. The urban tree farm would also serve as a community program for the neighborhoods in which the farms could be located. Community groups could assist in the maintenance and operation of the farm as part of a civics project.

Palmers Island Restoration

Palmer's Island Lighthouse was established in 1849 to address New Bedford's burgeoning whaling fleet in the busy harbor. After the great hurricane of 1938, every structure on the island except for the lighthouse was washed away in the storm, and so it remains to this day. On March 26, 1980, the light was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a National Register Thematic Resource Area.

The City of New Bedford restored Palmer's Island Light on its 150th Anniversary. Though generally closed to the public, the City opens the lighthouse for inspection on island clean-up days. The City is now considering ways to more fully utilize Palmer's Island as public open space with passive recreational opportunities, such as walking and biking paths and picnic areas.

Bike Path Phase IV

The fourth phase of the City's bike path system is planned to connect the existing path at East Rodney French Boulevard and Cove Street to the Downtown area. Eventually, this phase of the bike path will tie into the Fairhaven bike path system through the development of the New Bedford/Fairhaven Route 6 Bridge Study.

Neighborhood Historic Markers

Similar to the City gateway program, the neighborhood historic marker program aims to highlight the significant history of the City's many neighborhoods. Markers would be installed to demarcate areas in which significant historic events occurred or to highlight areas in which founding cultures first settled. The markers would be consistent with design guidelines established for the entire City with the added features to mark the particular history of the neighborhood.

Economic Development

Alden-Payne-Elco Redevelopment Site

The area formerly housed a complex of industrial manufacturing facilities that produced cutting tools, corrugated boxes, and textile products. The City acquired the Payne Cutlery and other properties through tax foreclosure. The Payne Cutlery building was condemned and demolished by the City. The former Elco Dress site is almost entirely occupied by a 50,200 square foot, four-story former mill constructed in 1909 and has been vacant since the early 1990's. While a final use for the Payne and Elco sites is being investigated, the process for remediation of the sites has begun. Sid Wainer and Son, a nationally renowned supplier quality produce and food products has developed the former Alden Corrugated site for use as greenhouses to support the demand for specialty items, such as vegetables including heirlooms and other varieties not typically grown in the northeast. Continued development of the site will focus on providing more efficient service to the facility.

Benefits gained from completed and in progress projects further the need for continued planning so that all elements of the City's vision are addressed. By assessing what has been accomplished, emphasis can be placed on projects that will enhance and balance the revitalization of the City.

Hicks/Logan/Sawyer Revitalization

The Hicks-Logan-Sawyer district is a particularly distressed part of New Bedford. The area contains 2.3 million square feet of industrial and commercial space, of which 1.7 million square feet is underutilized or vacant historic mill space. Nearly 75 percent of the land uses in the area are industrial, 8 percent commercial, 5 percent residential and the remainder is used or owned by a handful of nonprofits, the City or the federal government. There are four identified brownfield sites within the HLS district and given the industrial history of the area, it would not be surprising if additional contaminated sites were to be found. 

The only major mill building that continues in its original use is the Revere Copper facility, which has been producing copper and copper alloy plating sheet metal since 1862. The last large textile business has closed and the building has been sold to a developer who contemplates a predominantly residential use. 

The waterfront location and proximity to a planned commuter rail station suggest that the HLS district has great potential as a mixed-use district.  It could add resources to the City's tourism economic while offering attractive office, retail and residential development opportunities. This area is currently undergoing a comprehensive planning effort to focus and prioritize redevelopment along smart growth principles.

New Bedford North Freight Rail Facility  

As passenger rail makes a return to the City, plans need to be developed to address the freight rail issues that will arise. The north freight rail facility will be located near the New Bedford Business Park and will provide freight rail service to Business Park tenants.

Pope's Island Marina Expansion

The HDC operates the 198-slip public marina at Pope's Island, which is located within the Hurricane Barrier in the upper harbor east of the New Bedford/Fairhaven Bridge. Pope's Island Marina opened in 1993 along the south side of the island with financial assistance from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. The marina is one of the finest public facilities on the east coast. Support services include on-site laundry facilities, pump out facilities, shower rooms, and conference room, with dockside water and electricity available. As part of the Harbor Master Plan, Pope's Island is being considered for expansion to address the increasing demand for slip spaces.

North Terminal 2010

The centerpiece of New Bedford's economic future is rapidly taking shape along its waterfront and its port. The City has recently completed the remediation of a 25-acre brownfield for reuse as an intermodal node connecting commuter and freight rail service, passenger and commercial marine transportation systems, the U.S. highway system, and regional bus service. The project will create a large-scale multimodal port facility on New Bedford's waterfront north from the Kempton Street overpass to I-195. Freight service will begin in mid-September 2005 as rail cars carrying dewatered contaminated sediment from the New Bedford Harbor Superfund project will be shipped from the newly constructed freight rail facility.

The increase in transportation capacity that will result from the North Terminal 2010, with the added benefit of the City's Foreign Trade Zone designation and working Custom House, stands to positively impact and drive the redevelopment of other Brownfield sites in the City and southeastern Massachusetts region. This is especially true within the 9 million square foot Designated Port Area, along the City's waterfront, and in proximity to key transportation infrastructure elements such as the New Bedford Secondary, I-195, Route 18, and State Highway 140.

Proposed Projects

Though many projects have been outlined, there remains much to be accomplished. The proposed projects address the comprehensive plans that will ultimately stabilize the economic base of the City and strengthen the community. Throughout the course of public discussions numerous projects have been identified such as a hotel or convention center as potential ventures for the City to pursue. Continued work on the harbor plan components, as well as rail improvements and a multimodal facility will continue as the long range vision plays out.

New Bedford-Fairhaven Harbor Master Plan

The Port of New Bedford is located on the Acushnet River Estuary and Buzzard's Bay. The Port is approximately 160 miles from New York and 90 miles from Boston. The harbor is protected by a hurricane barrier with a width of 150 feet and an average depth of 30 feet. The first phase of channel dredging occurred in 2002. The maintenance dredging created a 28-foot channel into the Harbor, south of the Route 6 New Bedford - Fairhaven Bridge.

The New Bedford Fairhaven Harbor Master Plan, completed August 2002, defines the communities' vision for the future of the harbor that builds on its strengths. The plan identifies costs, responsibilities and strategies associated with implementing the Plan. The Harbor Plan combines immediate term lower cost public initiatives that can leverage private sector investment and job creation with longer term initiatives that expand the harbor's capacity and potential.

The Harbor Plan also has a key regulatory function. Projects within the harbor fall under the Commonwealth's waterways regulations (Chapter 91) jurisdiction and are evaluated by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for conformance with the Harbor Plan. In recognition of the harbor's prominence as allocation for water-dependent industry, most of the New Bedford waterfront and a portion of the Fairhaven waterfront are established Designated Port Areas (DPA) under state regulations. The Harbor Plan carries significant weight in DEP's assessment of individual projects during the permitting process. The communities worked closely with officials from DEP and the state's Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) in developing the Plan.

The four principles of the Harbor Plan are:

1. Develop traditional harbor industries - preserve and enhance the harbor's traditional strengths in fishing, seafood processing, and related port industries.
2. Capture new opportunities in tourism and recreational use - take advantage of economic and community enhancement opportunities presented by National Park designation and future development of available land in the harbor area.
3. Rebuild harbor infrastructure - upgrade infrastructure that is essential to the success of both port-related development and tourism, including dredging, road, rail, and pier improvements.
4. Enhance the harbor environment - further develop the harbor as an asset for the communities and the region and improve public access and enjoyment of the waterfront.

The Harbor Plan provides a strong framework for advancing significant development and conservation activities within the DPA. Planning for the harbor built upon the successes of numerous previous planning efforts within New Bedford and Fairhaven. The Harbor Plan integrates earlier planning work with new initiatives in order to provide optimum benefit to communities and the region.

Primary products shipped to New Bedford include petroleum products, perishable foods and fish. New Bedford is the largest seafood processing port on the East Coast and the fishing fleets of the mid to north Atlantic make their port-of-call here. Subsequently, a substantial amount of the New Bedford waterfront is dedicated to seafood processing and at any given time the piers are partially or completely occupied by commercial fishing vessels.

Port operations and throughput capacity are severely impacted by limited capacity of existing infrastructure and the configuration of the cross-harbor road/bridge system. The Port of New Bedford lacks sufficient pier space for commercial marine vessels and passenger vessels. The overcrowding at State Pier has created numerous scheduling conflicts, a lack of confidence on the part of the marine industry to secure necessary pier space, and degrades the ability of the City to market New Bedford as a port of opportunity. The City also lacks a direct water-rail connection. This intermodal deficiency significantly limits the viability of the port to achieve its potential to become a freight hub in Southeastern Massachusetts.

Maintenance dredging must continue in the northern reaches of the New Bedford Harbor to provide maximum efficiency, flexibility and efficiency in the facilitation of waterborne commerce. In addition, the City has spearheaded the Portfields concept, which views contaminated harbors as Brownfields covered by water. Through its Portfields designation, the City has been able to work in partnership with federal and state regulatory agencies to begin maintenance dredging of New Bedford Harbor. The maintenance dredging will restore the federal channel and turning basins as well as commonwealth tidelands to their design depth of 30 feet and will have the added benefit of removing contaminant-laden sediment from the harbor bottom. .

Conclusion

The numerous successes set forth in this document provide the residents and business of the City of New Bedford with a direction towards establishing a strong foundation for the first city wide Master Plan in 40 years. Cooperation among the City government, residents, community groups, regional neighbors and other parties committed to working in partnership will achieve this vision for our future.

Rather than creating one document that the history of New Bedford has proven remains on a shelf gathering dust, The City of New Bedford, under Mayor Kalisz' leadership, has developed a series of interconnected, comprehensive, strategic plans that all implement the same basic planning and smart growth elements. This strategy has also allowed the City to quickly seize upon federal and state funding opportunities through "quick-start projects" while developing larger comprehensive plans

While others have celebrated the completion of a plan, the City of New Bedford has repeatedly celebrated the implementation of a plan and the creation of opportunities as a result of its actions.

Next Steps

In addition to providing a comprehensive vision and set of strategies for the City reach its goals, the City's comprehensive planning efforts also satisfy the elements set forth in the Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) which include the goals and objectives, land use, housing, economic development, natural and cultural resources, open space and recreation, services and facilities, circulation and transportation, and implementation program. The following discussion addresses the MGL categories in the context of the overall planning process and plan for the City. The general concepts that each would address are explained in context as to how the planning process is also a continuation of the previously mentioned projects and how each will ultimately aid in achieving the vision/goals/objectives of the City.

Land Use Plan

As development and redevelopment take place throughout the City, land use comes to the forefront of decision making and economic development. Since land use is a dynamic process, the establishment of baseline land use is needed to gauge overall changes. The City is currently updating its land use inventory to help guide future changes in the zoning. As additional overlay districts to facilitate revitalization of mill districts are discussed, residential and business components need to be justified in concert with maintenance of the City's industrial zoned land. Natural features will remain protected by revision of zoning of environmentally sensitive areas. Land use strategies will be easier to develop with an up to date comprehensive assessment of current land conditions and future impacts based on current development.                  

Brownfields and portfields will continue to play a major role in the development of the city's industrial areas. The continued federal interagency effort to address brownfields in port and harbor areas will be required for successful economic development of environmentally-sound port facilities.

Housing

The City of New Bedford is endowed with an older housing stock that is well preserved and architecturally unique. The stock is comprised of ornate Victorian homes intermingled with simple traditional New England structures like the common triple-decker. New Bedford has a large supply of affordable housing, which consists of both public housing and privately owned subsidized housing. The City's affordable stock is well managed and provides essential housing opportunities to the elderly, veterans, and families with low wages.

The City of New Bedford Housing and Community Development Department offers several housing programs geared to encourage homeownership. The programs include down payment assistance, loan programs for home improvement, and programs to aid in helping people out of homelessness.

The City is also engaged in a variety of historic preservation activities. The focus is to continue to preserve and maintain sites and structures that serve as significant visible reminders of New Bedford's social and architectural history. Most of the historic sites are located close to the downtown district. Research on the West End, North End, and South End communities may be able to determine if historically and/or architecturally significant areas could be carved out into new National Register Historic Districts. The City will continue to develop programs and support efforts by other organizations to preserve and develop housing options for all citizens.

Economic Development

Strategically located in the center of the scenic Southcoast of Massachusetts, New Bedford's recognition as a leader and center of commerce dates back to the whaling and industrial eras. The port of New Bedford's commercial fishing fleet consistently tops the industry in value of catch landed. Textile and manufacturing businesses continue to produce quality products through the use of innovative technologies. The economy of New Bedford has diversified in recent years to include industries related to marine science technology, health care, medical devices, services and transportation.

According to a 2000 economic consultant survey, most of the respondents felt that the City's business climate has changed for the better. It is important for the City to be proactive in economic development endeavors in a dynamic environment. The City of New Bedford, through the New Bedford Economic Development Council, (NBEDC) has created a "one stop" approach to economic development. The NBEDC works with businesses located in or locating to, the City.

The most promising strategy would be a two-pronged effort at supporting increased competitiveness in key capital intensive sectors with high labor productivity combined with an emphasis on additional growth in labor-intensive sectors. Economic analysis has identified marine science related activities as a promising area to focus based on the presence of the UMass School of Marine Science and Technology and the centuries old maritime tradition of the City. At a different scale, there is a trend towards a stronger local arts scene, strengthened by the move of UMass Visual and Performance Arts Department to the Star Store building and a recent influx of artists to the City. In addition, a 23-acre Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) located within the airport confines offers a competitive edge to manufacturers using foreign made parts for products assembled and marketed in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Tourism is also a fast-growing segment of the local economy. New Bedford's rich history, its national park status and its authentic working waterfront draws increasing numbers of tourists annually. In addition, a continued increase in the number of galleries, museums, and cultural events is earning New Bedford recognition as "a city of art," attracting professional artists, art patrons and visitors of all interests drawn to the City's growing artistic vibrancy.  

Natural and Cultural Resources

New Bedford has a rich history that grew, based on the prosperity of three major industries in each of which the community attained preeminence. They were: whaling, the manufacture of fine cotton goods, and the general fisheries. The commercial fishing industry continues as an economic engine, generating approximately $800 million annually to the local economy. However, the business sector today presents a broad diversification in manufacturing, service, retail and tourism-related concerns throughout the City. 

New Bedford was also noted as one of the major "stations" of the "Underground Railroad." The most famous fugitive to settle in New Bedford was Frederick Douglass, noted abolitionist orator and leader, who lived here from 1838 to 1841. Another escaped slave, Lewis Temple, opened a blacksmithing shop, which primarily serviced the whaling fleet. In 1848, Temple invented the toggle-head harpoon, which revolutionized the whaling industry. The Bourne Whaling Museum is the largest of its kind in the world, with more than 150,000 objects in its collection. 

Visits by New Bedford's whaleships to the Portuguese Islands in the eastern Atlantic, the Azores, Madeira, and also Cape Verde resulted in the immigration of many islanders to America. Settling in New Bedford, the newcomers naturally found employment in the whale fishery and many rose to command ships. 

At present the Portuguese people constitute the largest proportion of the City's population. Numerous fairs, festivals and "festas" enliven New Bedford's busy cultural calendar. Arriving in New Bedford almost as early as the Portuguese, Cape Verdean immigrants formed the backbone of the whaling industry, on the wharves and on the high seas. Fiercely proud of both their American and Cape Verdean heritage, the Cape Verdean community sponsors one of the largest parades of the year around Independence Day, as well as many annual cultural events. French speaking residents came from Canada, answering the growing demand for mill and textile workers during the Civil War. 

Other nationalities represented in New Bedford include, the Lebanese and Greek. People of Norwegian heritage have called New Bedford home for more than a century. As with the Portuguese, the industriousness and maritime skills of the Norwegians have earned them leadership roles in the port's fishing industry. Recently, Guatemalan and Mayan people have settled in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, many being employed in maritime and fish-processing operations. The many ethnic communities that populate the City contribute a rich diversity of cultures. These ethnic groups have built clubs and churches around which much of their social life occurs. There are numerous ethnic and religious festivities enjoyed outdoors in the City streets. The City will continue its support of its diverse ethnic groups in order to provide a variety of cultural and social experiences for residents and nonresidents alike.

Open Space and Recreation

New Bedford provides an extensive park system, public beaches and diverse open space areas. The goals and objectives from the City's current Open Space and Recreation Plan provide a blueprint for a better City park system. The plan considers recreational and environmental considerations that protect and improve natural resources, historic waterfront and downtown areas, parks and sporting facilities. The five goals of the plan are to:

• Expand outdoor recreation and open space opportunities
• Protect natural resources and create greenways
• Enhance quality and appeal of City streetscapes
• Restore the City park system
• initiate implementation and funding mechanism to support open space and recreation needs

The open space plan is updated every five years and is scheduled for renewal in 2005. A revised inventory of existing recreational facilities, the condition of equipment and facilities along with any recommendations for existing or planned improvements have recently been completed. The inventory along with additional planned features for the parks will be subject to public review and comment. The input of City residents' recreation needs and the current conditions report will be prioritized into an implementation program in the updated plan.

The City continuously works to improve and enhance park facilities as outlined in the plan. To successfully implement these goals, a broad range of City departments and associated organizations work cooperatively towards the agreed upon goals. Additional development that could be incorporated includes expanding and developing water-based activities, acquisition and protection of scenic ways, develop and expand accessible facilities, develop trail corridors and develop park list in matrix.\

Services and Facilities

New Bedford is a City with a stable population formed by changing multi-ethnic groups, the result of successive waves of immigration. The City provides a variety of services and facilities to its residents, which include public education, health, and public safety. The City works hard to provide the best services to its citizens. Community facilities form the backbone of the residential neighborhoods' social and cultural life. Community facilities belong to, and are managed by, different institutions, including the City, churches, social and neighborhood groups. Yet, all of them must respond to the communities' needs and aspirations, and, ideally, work to coordinate their activities and programs to achieve both efficiency and quality of service.

As mentioned earlier, the development of the middle school system has led the City to constructing two new middle schools with a third in progress. The City is committed to fostering an environment for all its citizens to learn and engage in academic or trade pursuits. In this light, the School Department has set the following goals:

• All students taught by highly qualified teachers
• Schools are safe, drug-free and conducive to learning
• All students graduate from high school
• Encourage positive parent/community/school relationships
• Equity and diversity respected and advanced in education and employment district wide

The need to raise the level of educational attainment of the City's residents has emerged as one of the most critical issues affecting New Bedford's future. New Bedford residents and business owners surveyed in 2000 agree that this is one of the most significant obstacles to the City's progress. Educational attainment is inextricably linked to economic development; it is also related to higher levels of personal satisfaction and fulfillment, as well as to a more cohesive community for which communication - and thus language skills and literacy - is critical.

The New Bedford Public School system and other area educational and cultural institutions are increasingly providing new and creative programs, linking with one another, and reaching out to more and more people. It is critical to meeting the goal of increased educational attainment that all age groups be engaged in the educational process.

Transportation

The City of New Bedford is committed to the restoration of its role as a regional transportation hub for the movement of both freight and passengers. The City will capitalize on its strategic regional location by coordinating the various transportation systems within the City and region. From an infrastructure perspective, success will hinge on the City's ability to address two key challenges:

• Upgrading the existing transportation infrastructure to modern standards, and
• Providing efficient and effective links between all modes of transportation

In 1998 Mayor Kalisz recognized that strategic investment in transportation infrastructure was a key aspect to the revitalization of the City's economy. Continued and cooperative action is being taken to restructure, rebuild and retool the City's compact yet diverse multimodal transportation infrastructure. Ensuring the system would be intermodal, affording seamless transfer of people and goods between modes has been a concurrent goal. Within recent years the City has focused on the following projects:

• Designs for new arterial highways
• Rebuilt pier facilities
• Laid the foundation for a state of the art port facility
• Campaigned for the restoration of commuter rail
• Campaigned for the restoration of passenger/freight ferry service
• Became activist community within the regional planning agency
• Coordinating Brownfields and transportation development

The planned transportation system within the City will provide efficient pathways for commerce and personal travel. The reconfigured and modernized transportation infrastructure system will offer amenities similar to those of the port of Boston, but with less congestion and reduced cost. As an attractive alternative, the Port of New Bedford will function as a "reliever" port facility for the Southern New England region. In addition, the system will be enhanced with intelligent transportation system components that will be implemented to save time, save money and save lives on the City's roadways.

A strong coalition of stakeholders, which include City officials, consultants, federal, state and regional agency and private/non-profit sector representatives are working to advance the City's long term transportation agenda. The City has fostered strong relationships with elected officials at the state and federal level who have successfully pushed for the funding necessary to execute the transportation infrastructure improvement plan in New Bedford. Finally, City officials have been successful in the innovative utilization of the EPA Brownfields Program to simultaneously generate environmental cleanup and transportation infrastructure improvements.

Implementation Program

Several programs that will enable the City to continue developing a strong future include sustaining a capital improvement program, develop neighborhood plans and update the City's master plan. In addition, design guidelines developed based on sound planning and instituted under the site plan review application process will allow for early review and approval of all development and redevelopment within the City. It will also provide consistent with the goals and objectives of components of the master plan, previously highlighted in this report. General review criteria will include transportation related impacts, urban design and zoning ordinance review.

Historic preservation in conjunction with other land use regulations will also be critical to protect historic sites and structures by enforcing the demolition ordinance - this would include developing citywide design guidelines for new construction and infill construction. Currently there are no standardized guidelines for construction of residential properties. New construction should blend into the existing neighborhoods by size, shape, massing and materials. This would be completed with continued coordination between City agencies on Site Plan review and in the future to ensure the use of design guidelines and the adherence to zoning guidelines.

New Bedford is a City that has built a strong foundation to achieve a future with enormous potential. By continuing to work on the current and planned projects, full revitalization and improved community planning will continue to take shape across the City. In addition to the identification of target areas and the recommendation for action to revitalize specific parts of the City, it is also recommended that a concerted effort be made to market the City to its own residents and to encourage, foster, and provide opportunities for the City's residents to cross social, cultural, linguistic and econ