Project Background

Q: How long will the project take?
A: The purpose of the current project is to develop the roadway and streetscape design to support the creation of the new Adams Green Park. The project team is responsible for taking this design to the 100% level and assisting in the bidding process for the project. At present, the 100% design submittal is scheduled for October 2012. As the project is in the beginning stages of the 25% design process, it is premature to discuss a construction timeline. One will be developed and shared with the community as part of the planning process.

Q: Who pays for this project?
A: The project will be funded through a federal transportation earmark.

Q: What is the project’s geographic span?
A: The outer bounds of the project’s study area are represented by the following intersections: Furnace Brook Parkway/Newport Avenue, Furnace Brook Parkway/Hancock Street, Granite Street/School Street/Quarry Street; Elm Street/Miller Stile Road/Mayor Hannon Parkway/Hancock Street, and Southern Artery/Sea Street/Coddington Street. For a look at all the intersections to be analyzed by the project, click here. (Link the numbered intersection graphic) The project team will be obtaining traffic counts for 22 intersections surrounding the future location of the Adams Green Park. At the 7 intersections closest to the site, we will propose changes to intersection geometry and upgrades to signal equipment to improve traffic flow while increasing bicycle and pedestrian safety. The project team will not propose changes to the 15 intersections further away from the site, but will model the impacts of proposed changes on them to ensure they are not detrimental to operations.

Q: Quincy’s history is important to me. How will this project ensure that history is respected?
A: The project team will coordinate with the Quincy Historic Commission, assist the City in its consultation with the MHC, and with the Federal Highway Administration as the lead federal agency, assist in complying with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

Q: Will there be any takings associated with the Adams Green Project?
A: The current Adams Green Project addresses the roadway and streetscape infrastructure that will support the new Adams Green Park and as such takes place primarily in the public right-of-way.  There are no permanent takings associated with the project.  Much of the new Adams Green Park will be built on the to-be closed section of Hancock Street in front of City Hall; no takings are associated with construction of the park.

Q: I would like to see the three-dimensional model of downtown Quincy.  Where can I find it?
A:The model of downtown Quincy, showing the full build-out conditions for Adams Green and many of the other downtown improvements can be seen at  Street Works’ offices at 1400 Hancock Street (Granite Trust Building).  Please send an e-mail to info@quincytime.com to make an appointment to view the model, or for other related inquiries to the New Quincy Center project.

Traffic and Parking

Q: I’m concerned about parking. How will downtown parking needs be met?
A: While it is too early in the study process to discuss exactly how many parking spaces may be gained or lost by the various solutions, the project team will begin its work on parking by performing a parking turnover study along the curbs of the following streets: - Hancock Street from Dimmock Street to Mayor Hannon Parkway - Coddington Street from Washington Street to Newcomb Street - Washington Street Hancock Street to McGrath Highway - Temple Street (total length) - Chestnut Street (total length) Occupancy counts will also be taken for the following parking lots: - Hancock Lot - Rodd Garage - Quincy Center MBTA Garage - Presidents’ Place Garage By undertaking these studies, the project team will develop an understanding of how parking works in downtown Quincy today and how it can best be managed to meet future needs.

Q: Will the traffic work for this? I’m concerned about closing Hancock Street in front of City Hall.
A: The City of Quincy and project team are confident that the traffic for this project will work. A preliminary study done in July 2010 shows that the segment of Hancock Street in front of City Hall can be closed without negatively impacting traffic in downtown Quincy. The project team will continue to refine its preliminary work to ensure the best possible result at the end of the design process. For a copy of the preliminary design report, please click here. (link to documents page)

Q: What about bicycles and pedestrians?
A: The project team is committed to complete streets principles and will ensure that bicycle and pedestrian accommodations are addressed as part of this project. Toole Design Group, known for its progressive approach to meeting pedestrians’ and cyclists’ needs is a member of the consultant team and will be working to address elements such as crosswalk locations, on and off-street bicycle accommodations, pavement conditions, bicycle detection, and signals and ADA compliance.

Q: How will I access downtown destinations during construction?
A: More information on this will emerge as the project continues and we begin to think about construction staging and access during construction. We are also aware of the many other projects currently ongoing in the downtown area and will coordinate our efforts to ensure that impacts on travelers and customers are minimized. The project team is aware that downtown must stay open for business during construction and for now wants to hear from you about how you use downtown Quincy. Where do you go? The MBTA on weekdays? The library on Saturdays? The more information you can give us the better. Please feel free to contact our public involvement specialist with your thoughts. (link to contacts page)

Q: Will public bathrooms be included as part of the new Adams Green Park?
A:This project’s focus is the design of the public works, transportation, and streetscape improvements to support to the design and construction of the Adams Green park space. During the park design process, however, project designers will address the challenge of providing safe, pleasant and accessible public restrooms.

The Public Involvement Process.

Q: How are my comments used?
A: Your comments are important to the City of Quincy and its project team. Both believe that a project of this size should be planned with the community and not just for it. Comments received via email, postal mail, telephone; social media or at public information meetings are all treated equally and will be documented as part of the public involvement process. All comments received are incorporated into the design to the extent possible within the scope and budget of the project. If you would like to add your comment, please feel free to email or telephone the project’s public involvement specialist. (link to contacts page)