Urban Studies and Planning Commons^™

The Mass Towns Database: Initial Report, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report includes a description of approximately 50 variables that are concerned with income, occupation, and land use. These variables are a part of the Mass Towns Database and values for each can be found in a program (Polygon Explorer) that provides a visualization and analysis capability.

Polygon Explorer For Massachusetts Data: Initial Report, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

Polygon Explorer is a program written for Macintosh computers that links data stored in standard spreadsheet formats with a geographic database. It differs from similar programs such as MapInfo and ArcView in that it provides a statistical visualization capability in the form of bar charts, histograms, scatterplots, and other views, and further these views are linked to one another so that any action in one view results highlighting in other views.

Polygon Explorer was initially developed with the support of funding from the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station, and parts of a donation form the Environmental Systems Research Institute and a …

Overall Economic Development Program For The Milford Labor Market Area Of Massachusetts, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

In the fall of 1992, the Boards of Selectmen of each of the five towns which comprise the Milford Labor Market Area designated economic development representatives to serve as a regional Overall Economic Development Program Committee. This action was the result of an initiative by Massachusetts State Representative Richard T. Moore of Uxbridge, who suggested a renewal of a working relationship between the towns and the Economic Development Administration(EDA), as EDA is viewed as an agency that might complement an array of economic development efforts throughout the state.

Following a preliminary planning meeting in Uxbridge on December 2, 1992, this …

Overall Economic Development Program For Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

During the Summer of 1992 an informal group of Berkshire County economic development representatives gathered, at the initiative of the City of Pittsfield. to discuss renewing a working relationship between themselves and the Economic Development Administration (EDA), as EDA is viewed as an agency that might complement an array of economic development efforts throughout the county. This group sought the advice of William Fitzhenry, Economic Development Representative, during August. Based on his advice and with the assistance of the University of Massachusetts. Donahue Institute. this informal group sought out technical assistance from the Center of Economic Development, an EDA sponsored …

Towards Restoration Of The Urban Village: Proposals For Mason Square Springfield, Massachusetts, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The Mason Square Development Corporation (MSDC), a non-profit group supported by federal block grants has sponsored significant improvements in the economic and social welfare of State Street - the commercial spine of Mason Square. In the past, MSDC has promoted single projects along State Street, but is now seeking a more integrated approach to economic development. Seeing economic vitality as integral to community development, the purpose of this work is twofold. First, we examine Mason Square's rich heritage as a neighborhood system of mixed land uses, taking particular note of the current efforts to try to attract investors, visitors, and …

A Community Diagnostic From A Planning Perspective Holyoke, Massachusetts, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This study seeks to examine and undertake a diagnostic of the City of Holyoke , a community in Western Massachusetts. The research will employ field visits, interviews, report reading, and library research in an attempt to shed light on certain key planning issues such as, planning tools, downtown, industry, affordable housing, community character, fiscal matters, environmental problems, financial control, and political stability. Each issue will be critically examined in order to better assess the strengths and weaknesses of the community, Finally, this study will conclude with a general overview of Holyoke and list some suggestions related to planning professionally in …

Overall Economic Development Program For The Gardner Labor Market Area Of Massachusetts, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

In July of 1992 Mr. Michael D. Gerry, chairman of the Gardner Redevelopment Authority, contacted the Gardner Office of Planning and Community Development about the community's status regarding its eligibility for E.D.A. funding for a proposed industrial park. In follow-up discussion with the planning office and Mr. William Fitzhenry of the regional EDA Office, it was determined that while Gardner was within an approved area, it needed to prepare a current O.E.D.P., as the most recent one had been approved by the E.D.A. in April of 1975. In as much as the last report had been developed under the direction …

Connecticut River 2020 Project: Cost And Economic Impact Analysis, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This project addresses the following issues:

1) Analysis of the cost of abating water pollution sources contaminating the Lower Connecticut River for the communities of Agawam, Chicopee, Holyoke, Ludlow, South Hadley, Springfield, and West Springfield.

2) Analysis of the impact of water pollution abatement measures on the economy of Hamden and Hampshire Counties.

3) Analysis of the impact of additional economic development on Hamden and Hampshire Counties resulting from an improved river resource.

4) Assessment and analysis of increased recreational activities resulting from a cleaner river resource.

The research was conducted by the Center for Economic Development at the University …

Adaptive Reuse Of Historic Mills In The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Uxbridge, Massachusetts, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This study was made possible by the support of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission. In particular, we would like to thank James R. Pepper, the Executive Director, and Nancy L. Brittain, the community planner for the Corridor. Mr. Pepper's vision and political skills were invaluable for initiating this project. Ms. Brittain provided essential guidance and a much-needed understanding of the local community, economy, and needs. We would also like to thank Professors Jack Ahern, Mark Lindhult, and our department head, John Mullin, for their valuable advice and comments on the study and report.

The Blackstone River Valley …

Municipal Economic Analysis Forces That Drive The Local Economy, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This project examines the economies of 13 municipalities in Southeast Massachusetts. Seven of the towns are located in Bristol County: Acushnet, Berkley, Dighton, Freetown, Raynham, Rehoboth and Westport. Five are located in Plymouth County: Carver, Lakeville, Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester. And one, Plainville, is located in Norfolk County.

The Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) has asked the Center for Economic Development to look at the forces which drive the local economies. SRPEDD has asked for some of the data to be shown over time so as to illustrate changes in the local marketplace. Examples of the data …

Inventory Of Industrial Property Executive Summary Franklin County, Massachusetts, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

It is not uncommon for cities and towns to actively seek economic and industrial development in times of economic stress. However, the desire to promote industrial activity and broaden the tax base is often left to the government or the town leaders. Town residents do not necessarily share this vision of development with town government. Industry, especially in rural Massachusetts, is still perceived as belching smokestacks creating myriad environmental problems.

Although a large number of towns wish to broaden the tax base and share the tax burden with new development, few have positioned themselves well to gain from or proactively …

Socio Economic Profile A Comparative Report Holliston, Massachusetts, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report contains a Socio Economic Profile for the Town of Holliston, Massachusetts. It includes profiles for population, housing, income, labor force, occupation, industry, and commuting.

Mill Reuse Potential The Draper Mill Complex Hopedale, Massachusetts, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The purpose of this study was to determine the reuse potential of the 1. 7 million square foot Draper Mill in Hopedale, Massachusetts. The study was undertaken at the request of the Hopedale Industrial Development Committee. Their goal was to develop a means of diversifying the community's tax base. When the Draper Mill was in full operation approximately sixty percent (60%) of the Town's taxes were paid by the Mill. Today, with the Mill empty, ninety percent (90%) of the Town's taxes come from residential uses. The Committee sought to develop a means to diversify Hopedale's tax base and thus …

A Comparative Analysis Fire, Police, And Public Works Departments Pelham, Massachusetts, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

In an ongoing effort to evaluate the effectiveness of its operations, the Town of Pelham engaged the services of the Center for Economic Development (CED) at the University of Massachusetts to examine the Highway (DPW), Police and Fire departments.

To that end, CED produced a detailed matrix comparing Pelham's three departments with those of three other communities; contacted professional and government organizations for potentially useful trends and researched additional information requested by the town. Herewith are the results of these efforts.

It was agreed that a comparative analysis of an extensive list of descriptive characteristics between Pelham's and three other …

A Revitalization Study Main Street Returns For The Future Gardner, Massachusetts, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This Regional Planning studio project was undertaken for the Gardner Industrial Foundation ("the Foundation"). The Foundation requested that we make development recommendations for a 20 acre site along Main Street, adjacent to the "Central Business District" of Gardner, Massachusetts. The Site, containing mostly vacant manufacturing facilities, is a large and visually significant part of the downtown area. It is visible from Route 2, the main transportation highway in the region and is the "gateway property" to Main Street and the Central Business District after exiting Route 2 and heading downtown. The Site is fast becoming an eyesore given the recent …

Proposed Relocation Feasibility Of The Steamship Authority Terminal: Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This studio project conducted by second year Regional Planning students from the University of Massachusetts examined the potential impacts of moving the Steamship Authority Ferry Terminal from its current location in downtown Tisbury to town owned land on Beach Road, just west of the Oak Bluffs draw bridge (See Figure 1). The Steamship Authority acts as the life line which connects Martha's Vineyard to the mainland. After a preliminary evaluation of limited data, safety emerged as the predominant concern associated with the relocation site. With the other impact categories essentially balancing each other out, is the additional risk associated with …

Inventory Of Industrial Property For Franklin County, Massachusetts, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The inventory is presented in table format to facilitate easy reference. The towns are presented in alphabetical order and each parcel within the town by map and lot number.

A description of table categories is as follows:

• Map/Lot: Each parcel in town has a map and lot number for purposes of assessment. This reference to map and lot number may be used to locate a particular site on an assessor's map. This reference is also key in accessing any site or·owner information.

• Address: This field indicated the address for the site in question.

• Owner: This field provided …