Urban, Community and Regional Planning Commons^™

Greater Franklin Area Trends Analysis Report, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The Greater Franklin Area, located in south-central Massachusetts, is composed of nine communities along Route 495. The region was experiencing unprecedented growth pressures. In response, the United Chamber of Commerce had organized a Regional Community Visioning Process. This Trends Analysis Report was one product from Phase I of the process.

Downtown Master Plan For Lee, Massachusetts, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The graduate studio in Regional Planning at the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst had contracted with The Lee Economic Action for the Downtown to prepare a Master Plan for the downtown area of Lee, Massachusetts. The goals of this Master Plan were to preserve and enhance the character of the Downtown, and to prepare the downtown for change.

Berkshire County Commercial Corridor Market Analysis, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report focuses on the retail sector of Berkshire County, Massachusetts. The report examines the economic base and the significance of that sector to the future growth and development in the region.

Economic Analysis Downtown Marlborough, Massachusetts Center City Association, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report was made to evaluate the economy of downtown Marlborough, Massachusetts. In the first part of the report they took surveys of customers and business owners about downtown and its business. Next it analyzed the potential demand for various goods and services.

Amherst Research Park A Study Of Design Standards For Amherst, Massachusetts, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The focus of this studio project was the potential development of a professional research park in Amherst, Massachusetts. The project consisted of two distinct phases: data collection and analysis of physical conditions of the site, and data collection and analysis for the purpose of creating design guidelines that could be applied to future development at the site and to other research parks in town. The client for this project was the town of Amherst.

Build Out Analysis And Fiscal Assessment For Mansfield, Massachusetts, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report is a summary of the ideas and strategies that emerged as a result of the Charrette held in Mansfield, Massachusetts on February 18, 1995. Charrette participants were a broad representation of interests ranging from public officials and various public/private associations to merchants and residents.

Space Inventory And Preliminary Marketing Recommendations, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report was designed to assist further economic development of Gloucester, Massachusetts’s working waterfront and downtown commercial district. This market and economic development plan was meant to provide the Gloucester Community Development Office with some key ingredients for the success of their overall economic revitalization plan that was being prepared for the entire city.

Shaping Our Common Destiny Town-Gown Relations And The Physical Implications Of Economic Development, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

A conference was purposed entitled “Shaping Our Common Destiny: Town/Gown Relations and Physical Implication of Economic Development,” in the town of Amherst, Massachusetts. The framework for the conference will focus on the mutual interest, concerns, and responsibilities of the community officials and the university officials.

The purpose of this survey was two-fold: to determine interest among university and town planners in participating in the proposed conference and to assess the nature of current relationships between the two entities.

Georgetown Planning Analysis And Alternatives Georgetown Master Plan Commitee, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report is a study that prepares and presents background reports and preliminary growth management scenarios for the town of Georgetown, Massachusetts for the Georgetown Master Plan Committee. Georgetown’s character is described in terms of historical, cultural, and natural resources.

Reuse Potential Industrial Mill Complexes For Springfield, Massachusetts, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report provided a cross-section of mill buildings in the Springfield, Massachusetts area. These are representative in terms of location, past and present use and surrounding activities. The analysis of the mill buildings provides an inventory of each site, and when taken together, give an overall picture of the existing condition and potential of mill buildings.

The Future Of Masonic Lodges, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The purpose of this report was to assess the effects of declining membership on Masonic Buildings throughout the Connecticut River Valley. The Masons are an international philanthropic fraternal organization which has over 31 lodges or groups which meet at 24 sites in our study area. In Massachusetts, Masonic membership has declined almost 30% in the last ten years.

Overall Economic Development Program Montachusett Region, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The goal of this report was to establish a system for one stop shopping where a project could go to one office and obtain all the permits necessary for the project to proceed; utilizing a bottom up approach so that the needs of local government are identified rather than determined by the state or federal government.

Resource Inventory And Preliminary Marketing Strategy For Economic Development, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The purpose of this studio project is to inventory the resources and create a preliminary marketing strategy for the Town of Berre. A community wide survey was to be designed to gain insights on the perspectives and strengths of the community, but it was decided that citizen feeling could be more effectively and practically determined through focus groups.

Master Plan For The Town Of Whaley, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The goal of this report was to provide guidance to the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen, among other government entities, of Whatley, Massachusetts, in developing local regulations and ordinances.

New England Green Technology Project, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report takes a look at the global market for green technology then focuses in on the six states that make up New England. It then takes a brief look at the history and the driving forces of the green technology In New England. Finally it compiles a list of foundations that meet the criteria set forth by the Center for Green Technology.

Reuse Of Six Industrial Mills In Easthampton, Massachusetts, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The purpose of this report was to determine the suitability for the reuse of six turn-of-the-century industrial mills in Easthampton, Massachusetts. The mills, clustered in the center of town, are an important historic and architectural resource, providing a visual link with Easthampton’s industrial heritage.

Ware Recreation Facilities Plan, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report explores the history and physical characteristics of Ware, Massachusetts. It then delves into the existing recreation facilities currently in Ware. Finally, it identifies a list of issues and presents some long-term goals that touch on all forms of recreation including both indoor and passive recreational opportunities available within Ware.

Capital Facilities Inventory And Assessment Study Grafton, Massachusetts, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

The reason for this report was to provide a public facilities inventory component for the Grafton Master Plan, assess the existing levels of public services in relation to capital facilities, and research an array of standards and guidelines through which Grafton, Massachusetts could identify excess or deficient capital facilities.

A Methodology For Determining The Local Impacts Of Defense Spending, Umass Amherst Center Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

This report was meant to determine what the economic impact of Department of Defense cutbacks would have been on local communities in Western Massachusetts. This project provided a methodology to determine what these local impacts were. The plan was to have policy makers use this data to create strategies which may ease the effects of defense spending cutbacks on their communities.

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 …

Company-Produced Housing, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

It is getting harder and harder for people working in urbanized areas to find affordable housing near their workplace. As new urbanized office and industrial areas expand and the cost of housing increases, employees are finding themselves having to commute longer distances between work and home. This results in traffic congestion, increased pollution and decreased employee satisfaction. Some companies are finding that the lack of locally available and affordable housing is making it harder to recruit and retain employees.

One solution to this problem is for large corporations to develop housing for their employees within walking distance of the job, …

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 …

Marketing Western Massachusetts As A Tourism Destination For International Travelers, Center For Economic Development

Center for Economic Development Technical Reports

In the Spring of 1991, a three phase project was begun at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in which the overall goal of the project was to design and implement an economic development program which would assist the information dominated service industries located in Western Massachusetts. The research for the first phase of the project was undertaken by Regional Planning M.A. candidate Maureen Moriarty under the guidance of adjunct Professor Robert Hopley, School of Business Administration, and Professor Meir Gross, Department of Regional Planning. This initial step in the research "entailed the creation of a pilot program in which …

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 …

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.