New Bedford voters' OK needed to open new South Coast Rail stations

Frank Mulligan, Standard-Times
·2 min read

NEW BEDFORD — Voters will be asked to approve New Bedford becoming an MBTA district city at the Nov. 8 state election, which is a requirement before rail service can begin at the two new platform stations being developed at Church Street and the Whale’s Tooth parking lot.

In a communication to the City Council, Mayor Jon Mitchell stated, "At this time the City is not an MBTA district city relative to the construction of South Coast Rail. By statute, any city or town seeking to receive transportation service from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority must seek the approval of the voters by referendum. A decision by the voters must be made prior to revenue service beginning next year. Therefore, the certified election results must be submitted no later than Jan. 1, 2023."

He said city Election Commission Chair Manuel DeBrito Jr. recommended that a special municipal election be held simultaneously with the Nov. 8 state election.

The question on the ballot will be, "Shall this City be added to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority?"

City councilors unanimously approved the order Thursday, Aug. 18, without debate.

The South Coast Rail Project will bring two new stations to the city — the North New Bedford (Church Street) and New Bedford (Whale’s Tooth parking lot) platforms.

South Coast Rail is restoring commuter rail service between Boston and southeastern Massachusetts to link New Bedford, Fall River and Taunton to Boston. The trains are supposed to start running to the new New Bedford stations by the end of 2023.

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An artist rendering of the Church Street Station planned for 387 Church Street New Bedford as part of South Coast Rail's New Bedford Main Line
An artist rendering of the Church Street Station planned for 387 Church Street New Bedford as part of South Coast Rail's New Bedford Main Line

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The city is creating special zoning districts around the two sites. The overlay districts will be designed to encourage mixed-uses — apartments and condos on the residential side, and offices, artist workshops, medical offices, and light-advanced manufacturing on the commercial side.

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The Church Street platform overlay district will cover existing commercial and industrial areas around Church Street, but won’t affect the established residential area east of Church Street.

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The Whale’s Tooth parking lot platform, or Clasky Common overlay district, will cover the area including the current Whale’s Tooth parking area and parts of some industrially and commercially zoned areas along Purchase Street.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford voters' OK needed to open new South Coast Rail stations