Fall River interviewing firms designing a Route 79 master plan: What they're looking for
FALL RIVER — The Fall River Redevelopment Authority is ready to start vetting three firms that responded to a request for proposals to develop a master plan for the future of the massive Route 79-Davol Street Corridor project, which will open up about 18 acres of developable land on the waterfront.
“The thing we really want to look at is the connectivity between the neighborhoods and the waterfront. There is a lot of focus we put on the neighborhoods,” said RDA Executive Director Sarah Page.
The three of four design firms that will make presentations to the RDA committee are Utile of Boston; the international firm Stantec; and NBBJ with offices in Boston.
Whoever RDA chooses for what will likely be a yearlong project will look at the statistics of neighborhood demographics, and will be judged on its capacity to engage the public in the design process.
“That is really important. It wouldn’t be a legitimate plan if we didn’t have the engagement of residents and all the stakeholders,” said Page.
What's next for the waterfront: Fall River is creating a master plan for Route 79's future. Here's what could be in store.
What is Fall River looking for in a Route 79 master plan?
In addition, the RDA is also looking for a master plan that can provide analysis for the development of a waterfront hotel and residential and commercial development along the Route 79 corridor.
“The key to this is to be sure we have the right zoning in place, site plan reviews, and to have all the right policies and regulations in place for this area. That’s going to be really important,” said Page.
Mayor Paul Coogan said creating a master plan “is the next step in moving this project along."
“I’m sure the RDA will choose a firm that will plan something very special for Fall River,” said Coogan.
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Designers' presentations start next week
The selection committee will present its recommendation for a design firm to the full RDA board on Nov. 14.
The first design firm before the committee will be Utile on Monday, said Page.
According to Utile’s website, among its projects, it provided design and planning services for the city of Lynn’s revised waterfront master plan and other master plans for Commonwealth communities.
Stantec’s website indicates it created the Dorchester Bay City master plan and was part of the team in the expansion of the Panama Canal.
NBBJ Inc. was hired by Newport, Rhode Island, to create a master plan for the redevelopment of the shuttered Newport Grand site and the redesign of the highway ramps to the Pell Bridge to free up land for economic development.
Fall River is getting ahead of the game
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation owns the land being freed up in the Route 79 corridor and is funding the approximately $135 million project.
At this stage, no one knows who or what entity is going to oversee selling the land and what type of redevelopment will take place.
“But if we empower ourselves with an incredible plan and involve the community, we can say, ‘This is what the community wants, this is what Fall River wants,’” said Page. “So whoever is going to develop this land, we should put this plan in their hands.”
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Fall River Redevelopment Authority to hire designer for Route 79 plan
