The final report for the Tremont/Essex Street Commuter Rail Corridor Plan is now available below!
Project Background
Between November 2012 and October 2013, MAPC will undertake station-area planning in three locations across the region as part of our Sustainable Communities Grant work. The three locations chosen for station area planning are Quincy, Beverly, and Melrose. MAPC will work with these cities to identify opportunities for and impediments to transit oriented development (TOD) around rapid rail and commuter rail stations.
MAPC’s Role
MAPC is assisting the City of Melrose in identifying opportunities for and barriers to transit oriented development along Tremont Street between the Cedar Park and Highlands Commuter Rail Stations. MAPC will help the community develop a vision for the area and make recommendations to the City on potential changes to land use and zoning. We will also develop recommendations for how to improve walking, biking, and transit access from surrounding neighborhoods to the two Commuter Rail stations.
Why It’s Important
Transit oriented development is critical to the success of MetroFuture and building a more sustainable MAPC region. Locating housing, jobs, and daily needs (goods and services) in walkable neighborhoods close to transit helps reduce household transportation costs, reduces reliance on personal automobiles, boosts transit ridership, and improves air quality and public health at the local and regional level.
This project ties directly to the goals in MetroFuture of creating sustainable growth patterns and enhancing transportation choices in the region. Transit oriented development facilitates compact growth and a mixture of uses in close proximity to transit services which provides a more economical alternative to driving.
Additional Resources
MAPC resources:
- For more information on the variety and potential for TOD in the MAPC region read our report on Growing Station Areas.
- To see MAPC’s previous work on TOD visit our Green Line Extension project page.
External resources:
- For information on TOD in the Boston region visit the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University.
- For general information and national research regarding TOD visit Reconnecting America.
Meetings and Presentations
The second public meeting was held on Wednesday, June 19th from 7:00PM – 9:00PM at the Milano Senior Center.
The first public meeting to kick-off this project was held on Tuesday, April 23rd from 7:00PM – 9:00PM in the GAR Room in Memorial Hall, 590 Main Street in Melrose.
