BUZZARDS BAY – Planners, stakeholders and town officials gathered Monday to break ground on the Buzzards Bay Park improvement project.
It required around 18 months of planning, and construction on the first phase of the project will include the installation of irrigation, an electrical upgrade and a replacement of the current walkway.
Main Street Steering Committee Facilitator Sallie Riggs helped gather ideas for the project. She said it’s just one part of a larger vision for a village which is nearly devoid of small businesses and lacks economic promise.
“The town administrator even said he wants to be able to come down Main Street and buy a pair of pants, which he can’t do,” she said. “This should work together with other projects coming to town; anything that makes this a more attractive village will be an improvement.”
Riggs attributed the village’s lack of economic prosperity to the arrival of Interstate 195, which she said took traffic away from downtown Buzzards Bay.
She said a survey of Buzzards Bay residents indicated that many of the features which are planned for Phase II were highly desirable.
That part of the project will include more landscaping, a play area with a splash pad, a pavilion with an outdoor movie screen, and a Memorial Grove with a walkway. The park will also eventually be outfitted with wifi connectivity.
Phase one is being funded with Community Preservation Act funds, while phase two remains unfunded. Building on that part will commence once funding is available.
The restoration project is part of an effort to revitalize the Buzzards Bay area; a hotel with conference space is also in the works.
Although the project’s funding factor is still somewhat in the air, Riggs said she is pleased that the area will likely receive the attention it deserves.
“There are some changes coming to this village,” she said.
This makes me very happy. as i own a shop in buzzards bay and i have the best customers coming in. There all lookng for something to do…