Final Vote Wednesday January 20th

The Planning Board is meeting Wednesday, January 20th, 6-7:30pm, 50 Payson Ave 2nd floor to make a final decision on the new, smaller Stop and Shop project. This is NOT a public forum meeting, but the public can come and observe.

Discuss the proposed Stop & Shop project in Easthampton, MA here!

Is Easthampton suffering growing pains, or simply moving in a needed direction? Will big box development change the downtown in ways no one wants, or provide necessary tax dollars and jobs? How does this type of development fit into the developing Master Plan for Economic Growth, or residents’ responses to the 2007 Economic Development Survey? How will it affect neighborhoods or existing downtown businesses?

This online forum provides a place for residents of Easthampton and the greater region to connect with each other, weigh in on this issue, and discuss it further than they can during public Planning Board meetings.

From page 3 of the City of Easthampton, MA Master Plan Community Survey Results as of March 10, 2007

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

“Cleaning and redeveloping and reusing existing industrial sites” was ranked number 1 (58% for 1) and was the only item to receive more than 50%. The least important was “a major retail shopping center” which ranked number 4 (40% for 4).

You must register and provide a valid email address to add your comments, but you can chose to post anonymously (the system administrator can still access your information but you don’t have to show it publicly if you don’t want to). This is an emotional topic for many people; please avoid inappropriate language or personal attacks in your postings or they may be edited or removed. The city has posted the economic development survey analysis and many other documents in pdf format on the city website. Check the Easthampton city website for these documents and any scheduled public meetings.

Join the discussion here!