CITY OF WOBURN RAPID RECOVERY PLAN 2021
The Local Rapid Recovery Planning (RPP) program is a key part of the Baker-Polito Administration’s Partnerships for Recovery Plan, the strategy established to help communities stabilize and grow the Massachusetts economy as a result of the economic impacts brought on by COVID-19. The plan invests $774 million in efforts to get people back to work, support small businesses, foster innovation, revitalize downtowns, and keep people in stable housing. In support of the overall recovery strategy, the Baker Administration made $9.5 million in awards for 125 communities to create Local Rapid Recovery Plans, through the MA Downtown Initiative Program. These plans address the impacts of COVID-19 on local downtowns and small businesses by partnering with Plan Facilitators and Subject Matter Experts to purse locally-driven, actionable strategies.
Click here to read Woburn’s final report to DHCD: Final Report to DHCD October 2021
WOBURN OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN
For several decades, the City of Woburn has prepared an Open Space and Recreation Plan (“Plan”) for use in guiding funding and policy decisions about its parks, playgrounds, and open spaces. The primary goal of an open space and recreation plan is to protect the natural resources of a community and to ensure that sufficient recreational opportunities are available to all citizens.
The City’s current plan was finalized in 2015 and expires this year. Major goals of the current Open Space and Recreation Plan are to:
The current plan contained two key recommendations:
Click here for a copy of the current Plan: Woburn Open Space and Rec Plan
The City is embarking on a public process to update the Plan for the next seven years. The first update workshop will be held on Thursday evening, September 15, 2022, at the Woburn Public Library beginning at 6:30 p.m. Please click here for a link to the workshop invitation: OSRP Workshop #1 Flyer
Commerce Way Area eTOD Study 2018
The City of Woburn is working with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to develop a plan for the future of an important part of our City. The area stretching from the Woburn Mall on Mishawum Road north to Anderson/Woburn Station is being studied for its future development potential as a mixed-use, walkable neighborhood of businesses and residences.
150 Woburn residents and business representatives attended a community forum hosted by the City and MAPC on February 26, 2018. A formal presentation provided information on the area’s characteristics, development potential and nearby transit opportunities. The presentation was followed by a session where attendees were encouraged to offer input and opinions on a variety of topics including transportation, street and building designs and options for housing opportunities.
The formal presentation can be viewed by clicking the “Commerce Way eTOD Study Community Forum #1” button below.
Commerce Way eTOD Forum #1 Presentation
A second community forum was held on December 12, 2018 providing summary of the community’s feedback to date, analysis, and draft recommendations. The presentation may be viewed here:
Commerce Way eTOD Forum #2 Presentation
Based on the second presentation, attendees were provided the opportunity to comment on the study area’s Vision Statement and recommendations to achieve the vision. If you were unable to attend the meeting and would like to contribute to the survey, you may provide your feedback via the online survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/woburnetod
New Boston Street Area Economic Development Study
The City of Woburn recently completed a preliminary analysis of economic conditions in the New Boston Street industrial area. Utilizing State funds, the City hired the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to study the New Boston Street area and to make recommendations in terms of future actions the City could undertake to support the 370+ businesses in the district.
The effort involved researching existing conditions and holding discussions with some of the owners and 5,000+ employees of the district’s businesses at a February breakfast meeting sponsored by Mayor Scott Galvin. (Many thanks to Joseph’s Catering for donating the meeting space.) Participants were updated on current plans for the New Boston Street bridge (slated for construction in 2021) and were asked to respond to a survey designed to assess employee and employer needs.
The results of the preliminary analysis are embodied in the Study Memorandum below dated 6/26/2018. The preliminary findings and recommendations in the Memorandum will serve as a blueprint in terms of next steps the City can take to encourage and sustain the continued economic health of the New Boston Street industrial district.
New Boston Street Presentation (dated February 9, 2018)
New Boston Street Economic Development Study
Woburn Center Reconfiguration
The City is undertaking a study of Woburn Center in order to develop options for traffic improvements. Potential improvements to the Center were initially conceived as part of the City’s Woburn Square Revitalization Plan. In 2014 the City’s Engineering Department refined a conceptual plan to improve the flow of both vehicular traffic and pedestrians.
A consulting firm has preliminarily researched the volumes of car, truck and pedestrian traffic using the intersection at various times of the day and week and has developed several alternatives for further consideration. The designs are intended to improve safety, ease traffic congestion and increase the supply of parking while minimizing or avoiding impacts to the physical attributes of the Common.
The Powerpoint presentation below includes some of the research as well as two options for future consideration. A meeting will be held in late Winter/early Spring 2018 to present the options to the public and answer questions.
Woburn Center Reconfiguration Study Initial Findings and Design Options
City of Woburn Hazard Mitigation Plan
Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. It is most effective when implemented under a comprehensive, long-term mitigation plan. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages State and local governments to engage in hazard mitigation planning – and to develop hazard mitigation plans – in order to identify risks and vulnerabilities associated with natural disasters and to develop long-term strategies for protecting people and property from future hazard events. Adoption of an updated hazard mitigation plan will also ensure the City of Woburn remains eligible to apply for certain grants and other types of non-emergency disaster assistance.
Woburn’s plan was updated in 2015 and approved by FEMA after a year-long effort that included public input. The Plan identifies and then assesses the potential impacts on the City from a variety of hazards: flooding, high winds, winter storms, brush fires and geologic hazards. It also lays out and prioritizes goals and strategies for dealing with each type and occurrence of hazardous conditions.
The approved Plan means the City is eligible to apply for and receive hazard mitigation grants administered by FEMA through at least July 11, 2021. It will updated again prior to that date, to ensure the City’s grant eligibility remains intact.
Formal FEMA Approval of 2015 HazMit Plan Update
Woburn Final Hazard Mitigation Plan – Adopted 05-05-16