I have been following the Hope Street lot development arguments. Probably not as closely as I should, since here I am commenting. I live in a rural spot in Greenfield yet I grew up in a small town in New Jersey, where I could walk to schools, stores, the library, churches, a movie theatre, parks and public transportation. Kind of a smaller version of Greenfield.
Now, in my 70s, I find myself thinking that type of town is where my husband and I might one day want to move. A small single-story house very near downtown would be great but hard to find. Alternatively, a downtown apartment or condo with an elevator could be the answer. Currently, I’m not seeing many options in Greenfield; a town that offers walkable coffee shops, retail shops, groceries, salons, health and wellness providers, restaurants, a movie theater, library, parks, churches, a senior center, banks, a post office, a YMCA, and public transportation.
By 2030, all boomers will have reached 65 and that demographic group will rise from the current census of 16.84% to 20%. Greenfield could be a place for those over 65, even those who might still be able to afford living in their homes but want a location that isn’t car dependent. I am not suggesting a senior living development but housing that would appeal to all generations who might like to live in a walkable community.
As far as the Hope Street parking lot being left available for a vibrant retail community, I don’t see enough of a downtown shopping district that will spill-over to a new section. There are existing shops downtown but we have also lost many and some to retirement. World Eye Bookstore, Opus, the Country Jeweler, to name a few, with the biggest heartache for me being the loss of Wilson’s Department Store.
I sometimes hear Greenfield being blamed for having lost stores but a reality is malls and then the internet have given way to cheaper options, creating complexities for brick and mortar shops. Still there is a place for a strong downtown with cafes, restaurants, and unique shops in a livable, walkable downtown. I love that Greenfield has become somewhat of a destination for vintage stores and I am hoping to see the Wilson’s building plan move ahead, with its apartments and market.
When my husband and I travel, we often stay near a walkable downtown and I like to notice how some are surviving. Pittsfield, for example, has some nice looking several stories high apartment buildings in its downtown. I think Pittsfield might be onto something. One argument I read against using the Hope Street lot for housing, one that caused me to wonder, was that the city’s sewer and other utilities would not be able to accommodate additional housing. Has that been addressed?
In closing, I want to commend the City Council. I understand that there are differing views on how and what is decided upon but it is nice to see civil discussion from people representing our community and working towards solutions.
Patricia Auchard lives in Greenfield.