​Envision Medford

February 28th, 2016

Envision Medford was a community-wide event that took place on February 28th, 2016 with the goal of fostering collaborative conversation about economic development in Medford.  Over 115 residents attended with the shared desire to turn Medford into a destination city - with revitalized squared, riverfront markets, and summer festivals. Envision Medford was put on by the Medford Community Coalition  with the support of the Medford Conversations Project in the form of planning discussions, training facilitators, and debriefing afterwards.

Read a news article on the event.

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"Economic development isn't just business development.
​It's about building a sense of community and making it a place where people want to stay."
- resident Maxim Weinstein

Infographics

These graphics were created as outcomes of the event.

Proposed Ideas

This is a list of proposed ideas that came out of the discussion. 

• Turn empty Shaws 
  1. into a community center
  2. walking track/cafe for seniors ­
  3. bike space or roller rink
  4. tot roller lot​
• Mystic River
  1. ​​​create Riverwalk
  2. complete bike path/walk trail 
  3. maintain/preserve 
  4. kayaking/canoe rental
  5. lessons for children to sail ­playground
  6. restaurants along ​
• ­​​​Condon Shell
  1. movie night
  2. revitalize
• Clippership
  1. ​​pull street back add more walking area 
  2. ­close and put in street market
  3. remove roadblocks

• Medford Square
  1. ​​needs to make people stop
  2. 93 makes us worse
  3. make it livelier
  4. Cafe Tables on Sidewalks, outdoor seating 
  5. Movie Theatre, bowling alley, more entertainment
• Library 
  1. ­restoration
  2. modernist remake 
  3. more community space, centrally located
• Spaces for families 
  1. ​​Love for MFN ­
  2. more grocery stores ­
  3. revitalize library ­
  4. more parks 
• Celebrate Cultures ­
  1. Sushi/Food Tours
• Celebrate History
  1. ​​Outdoor museum/signage of historic points 
  2. ­History Walk/Historical Trail
  3. Shipbuilding
  4. Royall House
• Community Festival/Party 
  1. ­festival/block party 
  2. "Meet Medford” celebration at different Squares ­
  3. more Circle the Square

​​​​                        -    ​​maybe a First Fridays thing​
                4.    more of the “Halloween Party” in W. Medford­
                5.    close a street [Riverside/Mystic/Clippership] for block party 

• Summer Concerts
• Central Space for Arts
  1. ​​Open Studios throughout City/Porch Fest

• Public Art
• Chamber of Commerce
  1. ​​issue incentives to get businesses back in Medford ­
  2. strengthen and do more outreach

• Spring Step
  1. ​​possible place for Arts Community ­
  2. rent for events

• Chevalier (12)
  1. ​​use more

• Haines Square
  1. Get Trader Joe’s 
• Fells 
  1. ​​attraction for Medford, needs more highlights 
  2. maintain/preserve

• More green spaces, fountains, benches, trees
  1. ​​clean up/more attractive/beautification/nicer facade/awnings
• Farmer's Market
  1. CSAs for seniors
  2. Mobile Market

• River Boat Shuttle/Water Taxi 
• Bookstore
• Kickball league, ultimate frisbee ​