It’s an uncharacteristically noisy holiday season on Circuit avenue, but the downtown buzz in Oak Bluffs isn’t from tourists and shoppers. Instead it comes from chain saws and leaf blowers.
It’s an uncharacteristically noisy holiday season on Circuit avenue, but the downtown buzz in Oak Bluffs isn’t from tourists and shoppers. Instead it comes from chain saws and leaf blowers.
New sidewalks and other improvements are planned for Kennebec.
New sidewalks and other improvements are planned for Kennebec.
Work got under way this week on the multi-million dollar downtown revitalization streetscape project, which will eventually expand sidewalks and change the parking configuration from diagonal to parallel from the corner of Lake avenue to Healey Square. Last month, the select board awarded a $1.65 million bid to Lawrence-Lynch Corp. for the Circuit avenue part of the project.
Work began Tuesday with the removal of trees lining Circuit avenue.
Through the end of December, the work is largely preliminary, according to a schedule posted on the Oak Bluffs town website. Tree removal will last through Dec. 21, according to the schedule, and further work scheduled this month includes tree pit demolition and materials delivery.
Select board member Brian Packish said at a meeting Tuesday that the more involved work will begin in the new year.
“There’s some work being done now . . . and then they really dig into it,” he said.
And workers will dig into it literally. First up in the new year will be digging up the sidewalk on the upper portion of the street by Reliable Market, town administrator Deborah Potter told the Gazette by phone Thursday. Replacing that portion of the sidewalk is the first step in a five-phase plan to fully replace all Circuit avenue sidewalks.
Clearing the way for a more pedestrian-friendly Circuit avenue.
Clearing the way for a more pedestrian-friendly Circuit avenue.
According to available project plans, the parking-side sidewalk will be expanded several feet from Lake avenue to Healey Square — correcting what the 258-page streetscape master plan calls unsafe walkability.
“Small or non existent sidewalks create an unsafe and unwelcoming environment for pedestrians who would benefit from street-side seating and a buffer from moving vehicles,” the master plan says.
Plans approved by the select board in May also call for sidewalk improvements on Kennebec and an extension to Healey Square.
At town meeting in June 2020, voters authorized the town to borrow up to $2.7 million to finish the work. But with the prospect of grants and other funding, not all the money may be needed to finish the project, Ms. Potter said.
The work is set to be completed early next May.
“That’s why the schedule is so tight and we couldn’t afford any delays,” she said.
When the project begins in earnest in 2022, the select board hopes to have an oversight committee in place that will ensure work is on track, and advise on minor decisions such as tree and bench choices.
A seven-member committee is contemplated.
The streetscape project — particularly the switch from diagonal to parallel parking — has been a major topic of debate in recent months.
Project will get under way fully in January.
Project will get under way fully in January.
In May, the select board approved a conceptual plan detailing the changes planned for Circuit, Kennebec and Lake avenues.
After that objections began to fly.
At special town meeting in November, a citizens’ petition calling for the changes to be put on the town ballot failed to pass muster with town counsel.
But calls for more transparency persisted.
The select board has said the process was transparent, pointing to dozens of planning board and streetscape subcommittee meetings, as well as public hearings on the plan. Minutes from the meetings are posted on a streetscape page on the town website.
The project master plan, also posted on the Oak Bluffs website, is wide-ranging, with many details about parking changes and other enhancements designed to make the heart of the town more pedestrian friendly and inter-connected.
Ms. Potter said the master plan will remain a relevant document throughout the construction process, but final results may vary from the written plan.
“It is not indicated to be a final document,” she said. “It is intended to be a working document.”
On the North Bluff, the plan calls for a new park to act as a welcoming space near the ferries that dock there. The town has received a $1 million Seaport Economic Council grant for some of that work and other improvements.
Controversy and all, the streetscape project caps seven years of planning, and by next year is expected to significantly transform downtown Oak Bluffs.
Comments
About time. As a frequent
Harry Oak BluffsAbout time. As a frequent daily walker up and down Circuit I'm thrilled at these improvements. I'm happy the town is looking forward, not backward.
What idiots idea was it to
Charlie Callahan So Boston/EdgartownWhat idiots idea was it to cut down these nice old trees
Yes, “nice old trees” , but
Andrew T BostonYes, “nice old trees” , but grew to become out of place. In landscape design anything can be improved upon.
Looks great so far. Opens up
Brian C. Smith OAK BLUFFSLooks great so far. Opens up Circuit Ave views to incorporate the historic architecture of the street. Can't wait to see the Healey Square eyesore be improved. Thanks to those who have worked so hard on this project for the last 7 years.
It’ll be the like the trees
august westIt’ll be the like the trees were never even there.
Well, until 14 new trees are
Bob OBWell, until 14 new trees are planted to replace them.
This horrible plan should
Denise Walsh Oak BluffsThis horrible plan should have been on a ballot to let the taxpayers of OB decide. I saw the treeless street yesterday and I cried. The gridlock this brainless plan and the loss of parking spots will keep those of us taxpayers away. Why bother when you can order online. At least we can vote the Monarchy out when their time comes. Shame shame shame.
What gridlock in the winter?
BOB OBWhat gridlock in the winter? If you're talking about July and August there's always gridlock then, no matter what you design. This drama is too much. And where were you during the 7 years of hearings and meetings -- gridlocked on Circuit?
I agree
M LockI agree
I know this has been
Kendall Oak BluffsI know this has been controversial, but I look forward to an upscale Circuit Ave. It’s an embarrassment in its current state.
I hope with the removal of
Uta Kirchlechner VacationI hope with the removal of the trees, all powerline poles will be removed as well and put underground.
Experience indicates that
Mr B ChilmarkExperience indicates that this sort of work--and sewerage--is done after the road has been repaved and painted and the new sidewalks have been put it.
Trees grow back. The island
TM VHTrees grow back. The island has many many more trees now than a few hundred years ago.
so very sad to lose the trees
Sami Edgartownso very sad to lose the trees-what a surprise to take them down in this day and age-trees offer us so much -
again, honoring nature succumbs to business needs, that's not the Vineyard way
A working document is not
Anne SmithA working document is not acceptable in any way for a plan of this scope. I hope this selectboard is ready to face the consequences on not listening to their constituents. I also hope our town is ready for a tax hike. I commend Ms potter for doing her job but this project was always an over reach.
I’m at the sighing stage. It
Shelley C Oak BluffsI’m at the sighing stage. It is what it is. But one unmentioned nit: The current disruption to local merchants trying to attract holiday shoppers for the last hurrah of 2021 business. Surely the chainsaw massacre could have waited till Jan 2?
Massachusetts, in general,
Sherri MiamiMassachusetts, in general, seems to like to cut down beautiful old trees. Thank goodness my lovey neighborhood in the Design District of Miami respects trees and has a beautiful canopy of them. Even if some of them drop leaves and what not.
… great - step 1 : chop down
Burgo off Nantucket… great - step 1 : chop down the deciduous trees … pitiful …
Hope they're going to put
A. Larson Oak Bluffs seasonallyHope they're going to put some trees back on Circuit avenue. The trees not only help to make that area nicer looking, but are also a big help with their shade during the hot days.I would always try to walk on the shade side when it was too hot. Also, a lot of shopping is done by the day trippers that come off the Island Queen who provide a lot of foot traffic and revenue for the Circuit avenue stores. Those day trippers will have an uncomfortable time walking up and down Circuit avenue on a hot day without tree shade!
Just when the planet is
Donna Braddock BayJust when the planet is screaming for massive planting of mixed hardwoods to reduce climate catastrophes, an Island cuts their trees down. Why? So people can be more comfortable parking their fossil fueled cars and feeding their conspicuous consumerism, much of it made of plastic. This planet not only needs trees, it needs massive human birth control.
OMG. You're somehow linking
Bob OBOMG. You're somehow linking the project on Circuit Ave to the need for massive human birth control? At some point I just have to laugh at the drama we Islanders make out of EVERYTHING.
Drama is a way of life on the
Michael OBDrama is a way of life on the rock.
Boring.
All this still does nothing
Mark, O.B.All this still does nothing about the eye sore at the beginning of Circuit Ave. What are we going to do about Buzzy's building
Time will tell - hopefully OB
Amy EdgartownTime will tell - hopefully OB will proceed with care and respect to the preservation of this public space.
Please read the towns LEGAL NOTICES! There are many other current requests to fall other island public shade trees. Voice your concerns before it’s too late
Without commenting on the
Sara Crafts Oak BluffsWithout commenting on the final product, let me say that the timing of the trees demolishment with concomitant lack of parking, and danger of walking on the sidewalk, preventing people from shopping particularly at this time is disastrous. I can't believe they couldn't have waited until after Christmas to do this. This hurts all the businesses on both sides of the street.
Well said, Donna.
VB TisburyWell said, Donna.
Hopefully there will be an
Jim OBHopefully there will be an effort to keep the new sidewalks clean. The buildup of gum and grease on the sidewalks in town is disgusting, they should be cleaned daily. And planting decorative trees to replace the mature, full grown trees would be a cruel joke.
What a horrendous idea: cut
Jane Chittick Amelia Island FL (formerly Edgartown)What a horrendous idea: cut down these mature trees to make way for automobiles. How creative. Not! Does anyone remember the fiascos of the 1960s "urban renewal"? Where were the townspeople in all this? Where were credible and competent design professionals? Did anyone contact one of RI or Boston's schools of Design and Architecture for a competitive contest? Did anyone contact the National Trust for Historic Preservation about their "National Main Street Center Project"? Do you think planting 14 spindly little trees today will make any difference? It takes a hardwood tree 60 years to mature to full growth. Why not consider closing Circuit Avenue to cars and let people stroll and shop? Delivery trucks can come early or late. Has anyone been to Europe and other countries where their downtowns are open to pedestrians only? What an awful idea this is!
lets just bulldoze ocean park
matt child of gay headlets just bulldoze ocean park and make it a parking lot while we are at it..........
Those venerable old trees
Rhett Thayer EdgartownThose Venerable old trees were a plus to Circuit Ave providing shade for cars, dogs and birds. It's criminal to cut them down.
Those venerable old trees
Rhett Thayer EdgartownThose Venerable old trees were a plus to Circuit Ave providing shade for cars, dogs and birds. It's criminal to cut them down.
The change from diagonal to
ObserverThe change from diagonal to parallel parking will prove to be a mistake in the end. Otherwise, hopefully the upgrades to the sidewalk will be a success.
what a bunch of sanctimonious
Local mvywhat a bunch of sanctimonious drama. this plan has been in the public domain for understanding for many years and STILL people with no clue about respond like experts…trees are being planted and will grow like the ones that were overgrown that were cut. Ya think the volume of pedestrian and car traffic is a little different these days than when planted? Parallel parking certainly doesn’t seem to keep people from Edgartown. Whiners.
I think this is going to be a
Mary Oak BluffsI think this is going to be a fiasco. The summer is going to be even more insane than it already is. There are already too many people and now with no parking to reach the stores for shopping. I feel awful for our local business people. Cutting back on parking will not help things. We shall see. The runaway train is making it happen so…
Please Please get rid of the
Marie EdgartownPlease Please get rid of the wood structures that housed the trees. They were a complete eye sore always housing cigarette butts and trash. I personally think the street looks better without the trees. It actually shows off the old buildings. Are they beautiful no but they are OB and have OB history which makes them unique and interesting. I think that OB does an amazing job trying to keep their streets clean during the tourist season. I can’t understand why the town doesn’t make the shop owners keep the front of their stores clean. Geo’s is always a mess with litter. Please stop worrying about the trees and let’s get on with clean sidewalks and alley ways. Seriously, look for the forest through the trees.
Anyone who's ever seen people
Chris Legge VH/OBAnyone who's ever seen people trying to parallel park at State Beach knows this is idiocy. Traffic on Circuit Ave is bumper to bumper. How are people to back up into a spot. It's already disgraceful how outlanders wait for a parking spot,as people approach their cars. God forbid they want to take a minute to read their mail. Respect for others seems to be a rare commodity these days.
Urban Renewal is here and
Johanna HUrban Renewal is here and this is what it looks like. So long to shade, natural beauty, and birdsong in town. Make way for the disney-fication of Circuit Ave, Those responsible for the chopping of these landmark trees should be embarrassed by their utter lack of awareness. An indelible stain of shame for MV. Was there any attempt to save these trees? A public hearing for the townspeople to weigh in on the removal of these PUBLIC shade trees? What a disgrace.
Make sure the contractors pay
Charlie Callahan So Boston/EdgartownMake sure the contractors pay the workers prevailing wage. It's the law on town funded projects
Everyone wants progress, yet
Richard Brody OBEveryone wants progress, yet no one want to be inconvenienced…
Beautification Step 1: Cut
Martin Brody OBBeautification Step 1: Cut down trees.
Beautification Step 2...
During a recent visit to
Daniel OBDuring a recent visit to circus ave the loss of the old trees was quite noticeable. I can understand that the narrow sidewalks are a hindrance at times but the loss of half of the parking seems like it would be hurtful to the businesses many who have been there for decades. I fear that when all is said and done that the business district will suffer a loss of its 'Vineyard character' and that would be a loss to all.
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