On Tuesday, February 20, the Newton City Council considered the Washington Street Pilot project presented to the Public Facilities Committee in January. Funded with $2.77 million in the City’s remaining federal ARPA funds, the proposed plan would convert Washington Street from four lanes to two lanes between Lowell Avenue to Chestnut Street. In addition, the plan — which was chosen by the Public Facilities Committee from four options — would provide two lanes for bike riders on the south side of Washington Street and a protective barrier of trees in concrete pots separating the bike lane from vehicular traffic. Although there would be no structural changes to the roadway, the pilot might continue for up to ten years.
Although there were questions about the length of time and concerns about narrowing the road, the Committee passed the proposal to allow funding for the design to go forward for consideration. The measure was sent to the full City Council, where Councilor Tarik Lucas chartered (i.e., held for further discussion) the proposal because he had questions about the precise amount of ARPA money allocated for the plan. He noted that Mayor Fuller’s original ARPA designation was for $3 million. When the plan was posted by the Planning Department, the amount had been reduced to $2.77 million. And when it was presented to Public Facilities, the amount had been further reduced to $2 million.
In response to his questions, Planning Director Barney Heath explained that the Conceptual Design is being funded with $500,000 from the Cannabis impact fees. In the Request for Qualification (RFQ), construction is estimated to be $2.5 million. Mr. Heath said the original ARPA-funded construction amount was $3 million but was reduced to $2.77 million when the City used $230,000 for the Commonwealth Avenue carriageway project. In fact, $2.77 million will be set aside for construction. When the consultant presents 25% of the design for approval, construction costs will be clearer.
At the City Council meeting, Councilor Lucas voiced concerns about the details of the plan, although he agreed that Washington Street needed a thorough study. He argued that ARPA money was meant to be spent in helping people and businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic and that the City had not used enough of the federal dollars for local needs. Councilor John Oliver offered a motion to send the current Washington Street Pilot to Public Safety and Transportation for more detailed study, to answer specific questions and concerns. Council President Marc Laredo explained that in fact, the request for the study would go back to Public Facilities, not to Public Safety and Transportation.
Public Facilities Chair Susan Albright responded that the ARPA money was a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to improve traffic on the North Side of Newton, benefiting both businesses and residential development. She expressed concern that sending the request back to her committee would delay the process and that the money must be encumbered by the end of December. Councilor Andreae Downs, who is vice chair of Public Safety and Transportation, underscored the “pilot” aspects of the proposal, explaining that the consultants will develop a more detailed plan for consideration in April. In her view, the pilot will allow for adjustments and the City will be able to apply for state funding for construction in seven to ten years. Councilors Julia Malakie and Pam Wright also pressed for more metrics by which to make decisions on the pilot study. The motion to send the proposal back to Public Facilities failed 9-15, and the City Council voted to go forward with the Mayor’s request for the Conceptual Design. With City Council’s approval (20 yeas to 4 nays) consultants will return to Public Facilities with 25% of the design, thereby permitting more discussion and consideration.