Franklin Street Reclamation

The Franklin Street Reclamation Study Committee had its first, introductory meeting two weeks ago. The Committee members, who represent a broad range of business, neighborhood, and political interests, introduced themselves to each other, and a presentation from the city's historic preservation office showed what the Franklin Street neighborhood looked like before it was buried in a mass grave underneath today's Arterial (more on that in a bit).

The Committee also heard presentations on Franklin Street as it relates to the recent Peninsula Traffic and Transit Studies, plus a rather too-long-winded lullaby PowerPoint from a Federal Highway Administration engineer who was trying way too hard to convince us that traffic engineers aren't all sadistic, anti-urban, pave-everything ideologues (word to the wise, fella: actions speak louder than words. Better luck next time).

The next Committee meeting should be more interesting. Plan to attend if you can: Wednesday, December 17th at 6:30 at the State of Maine Room in City Hall (that's on the second floor, at the western end of the building). If weather permits, the Committee will take a one hour walk of Franklin. Dress appropriately and have proper footwear if you'd like to join them, and please also bring a flashlight.

Updates on the study will be posted on
http://franklinstreet.us/