Characteristics that Must Not or Will Not Change

·  Depot building (although use could change)

·  Concord Crossing (good mix of uses)

·  Concord Provisions and Cleaners (old buildings with character)

·  Ambulance building

·  Presence of a grocery store

·  "Convenience" center — food and high school kids

·  Relationship between sidewalks, buildings and streets, especially along Thoreau

·  La Provence, Dunkin Donuts (good uses)

·  General mix of uses, diversity

·  Availability of commuter parking (off street)

·  Presence of train station

Characteristics that Must Change

·  Light intersection at Sudbury and Thoreau (very congested)

·  Move Starbucks (to another location within the village)

·  Crosby's center (overall area seems underutilized)

·  New London/rug store building

·  Parking for funeral home (needs better accommodation)

·  Village needs more entertainment (for young people)

·  Need for more retail on Thoreau, less professional offices

·  Commuter parking (prevent from spilling over the village)

·  Add commercial or residential uses on second floors

·  Improve pedestrian access

Characteristics that May Change, and Require Special Planning

·       Better use of parking area at Concord Crossing (either more density or "shared" parking)

·       Residential edges of commercial area

·       Video Revolution building

·       Crosby's area/intensity and type of uses

·       Asphalt paved area in front of Depot building (potential for public space, outdoor seating)

·       Provide shuttle between village centers

·       Avoid "Newtonification"

 

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

 

Thoreau/Depot Village Center

·      Improve traffic light timing at Sudbury and Thoreau

·  Retain grocery store in the village

·  Improve pedestrian connections across the village

·  Reorganize large parking lot areas (Crosby's, Concord Crossing)

·  Add more density to Concord Crossing

·  Add mixed use/residential development to Crosby's area

·  Add parking for commuters (parking deck or garage)

·  Keep and enhance the character of retail village along Thoreau

·  Create attractive public space in front of Depot with outdoor seating, perhaps a cafe or restaurant

·  Eliminate parking spillover onto residential streets