The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development and the City of Gardner have announced that the Gardner Urban Renewal Plan has been approved by the Commonwealth and is now moving into the implementation phase. The plan, which establishes a course of action for redevelopment of Gardner’s downtown area, is the culmination of a long-term planning program conducted by BSC Group and team firm McCabe Enterprises.
Working within the guidelines of the state’s Urban Renewal Plan program, BSC’s planning team collaborated with the Gardner Redevelopment Authority and the Citizens Steering Committee to develop the plan that will allow the City to acquire privately owned land; carry out demolition, clearance and site preparation work; implement brownfields site assessment and remediation; rehabilitate distressed buildings; develop parking to support existing businesses; and create public improvements, such as streetscape enhancements, intersection improvements, and increased green space.
“The plan seeks to encourage private sector investment through the judicious and strategic use of public funds,” sad Rob Hubbard, Executive Director of the Gardner Redevelopment Authority.