GREENFIELD — The Sustainable Greenfield Implementation Committee will hold a public meeting on “Complete Streets” — a concept of making streets safer and more accessible to everyone — Monday at 6 p.m. in the John W. Olver Transit Center.
According to the committee, attendees will learn about the benefits of Complete Streets as well as the proposed Greenfield Complete Streets policy, which will be considered for a resolution by the Town Council this month. The public will also have an opportunity to share their thoughts about how and where transportation options could be improved in Greenfield.
“One of the Master Plan’s goals was to make Greenfield more vibrant and inclusive for everyone by offering more transportation options, while at the same time reducing downtown air pollution and making our streets more beautiful,” said Carole Collins, chair of SGIC and Greenfield’s energy and sustainability director. “This nationwide movement helps communities make streets safer and more inviting, especially for walkers, bikers and wheelchair and public transit users, so that streets are not just for cars, but for everyone.”
During the meeting, Collins will outline the benefits and share examples of Complete Streets. Beth Giannini, a senior transportation planner with the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, will also talk about projects where Complete Streets elements were incorporated into design in Greenfield as well as other areas where components will be incorporated into future projects.
“Complete Streets make transportation better for a broader range of users,” Giannini said. “Thinking about transportation planning in a more holistic way ensures that the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users, as well as cars, are considered. In many cases simple design elements can help to better accommodate all of the transportation users.”
Greenfield’s Assistant Planner Maureen Pollock will also present information about areas identified for pedestrian and bike access improvements by the Greenfield Bicycle Coalition.
Mayor William Martin committed to implementing Complete Streets best practices when he signed Gov. Charlie Baker’s Community Compact Agreement last fall.
“I chose to focus on Complete Streets out of about 15 options because we have already studied how to make our sidewalks more ADA compliant and make our streets safer for bikes, and we know there is a need for improvement,” Martin said in the release. “An added benefit to drafting and submitting a Complete Streets policy is that we will have a competitive edge when applying for state grants connected with transportation improvements.”
For more information, visit the National Complete Streets Coalition website at completestreets.org or call Collins at 772-1412.