GREENFIELD — As the city continues to shape the future of downtown, the Greenfield Business Association (GBA) is seeking input on parking from business owners and community members.
A public forum on the issue, moderated by urban planning consultant Jeff Sauser, will take place Feb. 10, at 5:30 p.m.
“We felt like it would be a good time for people to express their needs and ideas, as well as get a chance to see what the city is planning,” said Greenfield Business Association Coordinator Rachel Roberts. “The city’s plans aren’t necessarily … finite plans; they’re in the discovery stages. It’s a really good time for people in the community to learn their ideas and communicate with the city directly.”
Roberts said the idea to hold a forum came up “organically” at one of the monthly board of directors meetings.
“Somebody said something about parallel parking,” she said. “It became one of those discussions that everybody had an opinion, and it became clear to us that people had opinions on parking.”
The in-person business showcase last fall, she said, showed the association how much the business communities wanted to connect with one another. From that experience came the idea to host regular forums, each around a different theme or topic.
Earlier this month, for example, a forum was held with state Rep. Susannah Whipps, I-Athol. Following February’s parking forum, another is planned for March with Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Sunderland. (In 2023, due to legislative redistricting, Greenfield will be split between the two districts currently represented by Whipps and Blais.)
“It’s just for people, and the businesses … to get together and talk about these things,” Roberts said.
She said Community and Economic Development Director MJ Adams will make a presentation at February’s forum on the subject of what’s currently going on with parking in the city.
“We collaborate really well,” Roberts said. “My goal is … not to have it be adversarial or confrontational. … Whatever we get from this, we will give to the city so they can take that information to shape their parking.”
Roberts said the forum will be moderated by Sauser, who, although a member of the Greenfield Parking and Traffic Commission, will not be representing the city in that capacity. He is also a co-owner of Greenspace CoWork.
“As an urban planner, it felt like this was a good connection to thinking about what a city downtown needs,” she said. “He has that experience. … He wants to use his skills to help the city of Greenfield.”
Interested participants can register up to the day before the event at bit.ly/3g9Hu61, or by emailing gba.4greenfield@gmail.com to get a Zoom link prior to the meeting.
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.