VISIONING WORKSHOP April 28, 2007

Results from the Cecil Group and participants: Concord Center

Characteristics that Must Not or Will Not Change

• Historic buildings, places and open space features
• Shopping opportunities for Concord residents
• Civic and religious institutions
• Colonial Inn in the center
• Adequate supply of parking for residents that know where to park
• The character and uses around Monument Square
• Residences adjacent and near the Center
• Tight pattern of businesses and historic buildings along Main Street and Walden Street
• Preserved and protected open spaces along the edges of the Center
• Library

Characteristics that Must Change

• Excessive pavement for vehicles and unsafe circulation patterns
• Expansion of banking offices
• Need for streetscape improvements in some areas (Keyes Road, Lowell Road)
• Inefficient and unattractive parking areas
• Lack of pedestrian and bicycle connections in some areas
• Additional views and access to the stream

Characteristics that May Change, and Require Special Planning

• Use patterns in the retail and commercial spaces could change and be less attractive or useful to residents.
  Ability to expand or rebuild parcels to accommodate additional uses, including housing
• More and better pedestrian connections to parking in back of the buildings
• Allowing additional height on some parcels and buildings
• Provision of commercial space at basement or "daylight basement" levels
• Uses and development patterns at the lumber yard, oil supply yard and nearby parcels near the Keyes Road, Lowell Road intersection
• Expanded open space and access to the stream that bisects the Center
• Provision of additional parking on the Town-owned lots
• Provision for parking of residents in the Village Center

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Summaries of Planning Ideas and Inspirations

The following lists record ideas that were offered by participants regarding future opportunities. They do not reflect an attempt to create or achieve consensus regarding a complete or coherent vision or planning concept.

• Manage uses to provide a mix of retailing appealing to Concord residents and attracting them on a regular basis
• Strengthen pedestrian connections to nearby centers
• Expand pedestrian areas and open space into paved roadways and intersections where they are wider than necessary, and decrease crosswalk width
• Reorganize the parking, open space to allow the open portion of the stream to become a feature of the center.
• Provide a bridge behind uses on the west side (downstream) portion.
• Rationalize and improve parking lots
• Provide better pedestrian and bike connections
• Preserve historic assets