Here's what Whittenton residents say would improve their neighborhood
TAUNTON — Whittenton Village residents said there are vacant businesses and abandoned lots that Taunton can revitalize.
That was the message at an urban renewal plan meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 5, where groups of residents discussed conditions in Whittenton Village and made recommendations to Stantec after their discussions.
Stantec Inc. senior planner Alison LeFlore, a city consultant, said the firm is focused on improving the commercial corridor by recommending goals and strategies.
“We are not looking to change the character of the residential neighborhood,” she said during a meeting held by the Taunton Redevelopment Authority at Broken Chains Bike Church on Tuesday.
LeFlore said there is a lot of unused and vacant space near the Reed & Barton factory building on West Brittania Street that could accommodate a new business.
“There are three large parking lots," she said during the meeting. "Some are paved, and some are not. I can see a lot of opportunities for a new building structure.”
According to Reed & Barton officials, the factory is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is available for leasing.
Broken Chains Bike Church associate pastor the Rev. Debbie Iddings said some church members would like to see a restaurant or coffee shop in Pulaski Square.
“Parking is a bit of a problem,” she said during an interview.
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Iddings said Len’s Grooming and King’s Court Gaming customers could park on weekdays in the church parking lot to assist the businesses.
“We have heard that people don’t come down this way (at night) because it’s not well lit,” she said.
Safety concerns in Whittenton
West Britannia Street resident Melissa Butler said, “traffic is a nightmare in Pulaski Square.”
“We need a traffic light at the intersection of Bay, East Britannia and West streets,” she said during an interview.
West Britannia Street resident Cindy Primo said a traffic light should be installed at the corners of Bay and Britannia streets to make it safer for drivers and pedestrians in Pulaski Square.
“Some of the (nearby) roads lack stop signs,” she said during the meeting.
Third Avenue resident Monzure Khan, 44, said “a lot of rundown buildings on Whittenton Street” attract people to drink alcoholic beverages or use drugs at night.
“There has been no attention in this area by the state, or whoever (locally) has been in charge,” he said during an interview.
Khan said Whittenton “is a frustrating area” for him and his wife to raise their 8-year-old son.
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LeFlore said Mayor Shaunna O’Connell researched and determined “there are no abandoned buildings in Whittenton."
“It should be a healthy neighborhood, but that has gone by the wayside during the last couple of years,” LeFlore said.
She said there are vacant properties in Whittenton that provide opportunities for “new residences and businesses.”
Walking and bike paths urged
Khan said there are no decent areas for his son to ride a bicycle or enjoy a walk.
“There are a few parks in the area, but they are not walking facilities,” he added. “People don’t feel safe to walk around.”
Santec senior planner Sarabrent McCoy said a group of residents she talked with want more passive recreation opportunities in Whittenton.
“There are no recreation places where you can walk around and spend time,” she said during the meeting. “We talked about having a bike path and a need for a park.”
Resident input to help create goals
LeFlore said the input offered by residents would help Stantec achieve goals to help Taunton officials plan upgrades in Whittenton.
“This is not about tearing down whole neighborhoods,” she said. “It’s to create a shared vision and to make it implementable over the next 10 to 15 years.”
Whittenton won the ability to improve its economic development through the state's Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) a MassDevelopment program for gateway cities designed to boost economic growth.
LeFlore said TDI helps a community bring new growth and development to areas that would stagnate.
“It gives the TRA (Taunton Redevelopment Authority) tools to help move things along,” she said. “The TRA can help negotiate a sale or purchase of a property, which would have to be approved by the state, City Council and Planning Board.”
LeFlore said the TRA would hold future meetings to get resident input for creating a revitalization plan in Whittenton.
Residents who have questions or concerns about Whittenton Village can email Taunton Redevelopment Authority Chairman Ed Correira at edcorreira@comcast.net.
Taunton Daily Gazette correspondent Michael J. DeCicco contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton: Whiitenton Village residents want shops, bike paths, lighting
