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Eastern Gateway Initiatives
Priority Development Area Goals
These initiatives are guided by the Reading Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP) 2016-2022, which recommends the following actions for the Town to pursue in this geographic area:
- Adopt local policies and practices that will facilitate compact development and mixed-use in transit accessible areas
- Enhance walkability and connectivity within and between priority redevelopment areas
- Build community and activate public spaces through cultural economic development and placemaking initiatives
- Attract and retain existing local businesses
- Brand and market Reading to attract new investment and customers
- Promote public/private partnerships and collaboration to maximize
Click on the project tabs to learn more about each Eastern Gateway initiative.
Project Summary
The Town of Reading hired Gamble Associates, an urban design consultant, to work with Town staff to lead a community visioning process for the New Crossing Road Redevelopment District priority redevelopment
Project Goals
The goal of this project is to engage in a public visioning and planning process with a goal to develop urban design scenarios and market analysis to explore the viability these scenarios. The urban design and planning team will facilitate a public process and develop a vision for what mixed-use development might look like in this area to meet current and future community needs. This urban design process is funded by a competitive Massachusetts Housing Choice Community Grant, which the Town Economic Development and Planning Division received.
Documents and Presentations
2022 Updates
2019 Plans
- Gamble Associates Conceptual Design Presentation (PDF)
- The Yard Design Summary Poster (PDF)
- Presentation Recording - Economic Development Summit
Grants
This initiative was funded by the Massachusetts Housing Choice Technical Assistance grant.
Project Summary
The Town worked with Green International Associates to provide a holistic analysis and conceptual redesign of key intersections and corridors in the Eastern Gateway area. The study includes a review of existing documentation, traffic counts, accident data analysis, conceptual design development. Alternative configurations of the following intersections were explored: Walkers Brook Drive/General Way, Washington Street at Main Street (Town owned portion of Route 28), Main Street/Ash Street. Alternative designs for the following street corridors were explored: Walkers Brook Drive, Washington Street, and John Street.
Project Goals
The purpose of this analysis is to lay the foundation for future design, engineering, and infrastructure improvement implementation in the area. This analysis was requested by area residents as a mitigation measure of the Eaton Lakeview 40B development.
Documents and Presentations
Walkers Brook Corridor Analysis & and Final Deliverable 3.9.2021 (PDF)
Walkers Brook Corridor Recorded Presentation 2.16.2021
Walkers Brook Corridor Study Presentation 9.30.2020 (PDF)