Envision Needham Center

What is Envision Needham Center?

Envision Needham Center is an infrastructure project in Needham that seeks to increase the accessibility, vibrancy, and safety of the downtown. The proposed upgrades are packaged together with essential drainage improvements to make both projects more cost-effective. We are advocating for a plan that balances the needs of cars, pedestrians, businesses, and other users. We believe ENC is a holistic plan that improves our downtown.

For background information on the project supplied by the town and contractors check out the ENC Website

Does Needham support the 2-lane plans?

According to the town survey:

61% of residents indicated a level of support for the 2-lane plans (allocated at least 1 point to a 2-lane plan)
48% of businesses indicated a level of support for the 2-lane plans
68% of visitors indicated a level of support for the 2-lane plans
We see this as a pathway to compromise!

Why we support the 2 lane alternatives!

2 Lane Details:

The best plan to make downtown vibrant and safe
The most amount of room for community and business spaces
The most safety improvements
The most amount of street parking
Traffic will flow unobstructed almost all of the time
Possibilities to add separated bike lanes
Possibilities to add environmentally friendly solutions

2 Lane + Turn Lane Details:

A great compromise
Traffic will flow unobstructed almost all of the time
Possibilities to add separated bike lanes
Possibilities to add environmentally friendly solutions

4 Lane Details:

Roadway NEEDS to be dug up, no matter what (the town is adding drainage below the street surface to mitigate future flooding)
Keep things the way they are, extinguishing this unique opportunity
No increased space for the community or businesses
Minimal and no significant safety improvements
Keeps parking the same, no increase in stock
No space to add safe bike lanes
No space for environmentally friendly solutions