Design consultant says Black River is ‘wow factor’

The “wow” is the series of waterfalls on the Black River in the downtown area, according to Carolyn Radisch, senior project manager for Greenman-Pedersen, Inc., the town’s downtown consultant.

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Design consultant says Black River is ‘wow factor’ By SUSAN SMALLHEER Staff Writer | December 02,2016 SPRINGFIELD — Downtown Springfield has a little-appreciated “wow factor.” The “wow” is the series of waterfalls on the Black River in the downtown area, according to Carolyn Radisch, senior project manager for Greenman-Pedersen, Inc., the town’s downtown consultant. Radisch gave a presentation to the Springfield Select Board Monday night, outlining the various recommendations on which she has been working. “Springfield is a hidden gem. It has a ‘wow’ factor,” she said. She said the town should “engage” with the river, “and bring the sense of the river into the community.” Other projects she envisions include traffic calming measures, ‘green’ infrastructure, and public art installations. Her recommendations were first unveiled earlier in November during a special event at the Hartness House Inn. Radisch said that Springfield’s historic downtown buildings and the Black River are tremendous assets that the town and community aren’t taking full advantage of. Her ideas include one, possibly two traffic roundabouts; a re-design — or “road diet” — of Clinton Street, from the Edgar May Health and Rehabilitation Center to the intersection at the foot of South Street Hill; and riverwalks. But if there was a theme in Radisch’s presentation, it was the Black River, which is largely hidden behind often dilapidated buildings in the downtown district. The town has its eye on the old Visiting Nurses building, which is set back from Main Street, but directly on the banks of the river. The building is in poor shape, Radisch said, and if the town removed it, it would open up access to the river and expand the already existing Comtu Cascades Park. The town is already negotiating with owner Christopher Mason to purchase the building. The town is also eyeing the old Springfield Bakery building, which would open up access even more, according to Radisch. It would create “a beautiful place to be by the river,” she declared. Radisch also described what she called “low-hanging fruit,” or projects that could be completed with relative ease and little expense. Those projects include a second riverwalk, which starts behind Claremont Savings Bank and follows the top of the riverbank, ending behind the Woolson Block. The original riverwalk would be on River Street, from the Hanley Building to One Hundred River Street. Radisch’s plans call for a cantilevered walk over the Black River to preserve parking. She said she would be recommending porous pavers, which would allow rainwater and runoff to percolate into the ground, rather than run off into storm drains. Radisch’s plan for Clinton Street would reduce the number of travel lanes from four to three, which she said was a safety factor, as well as an aesthetic move. She said traffic numbers were well below — about half — of what a four-lane highway typically supports. Traffic could double on Clinton Street and still fit into the road diet project, she said. Average daily traffic is 10,000 cars, she said, while 20,000 daily average is the beginning standard for four lanes. “That capacity is not needed,” she said, noting the road, with the extra space, “could have trees again.” For more information, go online to www.springfieldmp.wixsite.com/springfield.