BERWICK – The Downtown Vision Committee (DVC) met Monday, June 24, to discuss the results of their second charrette, which was held on Saturday, June 22.
The word “charrette” refers to a collaborative session where designers or architects work together to find solutions to a design problem or project. The French translation means “cart” or “chariot”. In 19th century Paris, student architects worked in groups on design projects. A charrette would be wheeled through the group of students to collect their work. Often times the students could be found putting the finishing touches on their work on the charrette and would be said to be working “en charrette” or “in the cart”.
This is very much the same scene that is currently taking place in Berwick, except there seems to be a desperate shortage of “student architects” working on the project.
The biggest challenge that the committee faces is not getting enough input from Berwick residents on the endless possibilities that the town has in front of them, said DVC member Serena Galleshaw.
The committee holds a meeting the first Monday of every month, open to the public, to discuss the proposed ideas for Berwick’s future. They have sent out a survey to every Berwick resident asking for input. They have also hosted two “charrettes” asking Berwick residents what they would like to see in their downtown district now that Prime Tanning is no longer in operation, and consequently no longer polluting the town’s greatest asset: Salmon Falls River.
Only six people participated in the June 22nd charrette. Senior project manager, Arek Galle, who works as a landscape architect at GLA was present at the June 24 DVC meeting to discuss the results.
“The biggest idea that came out of Saturday’s charrette is taking Main Street out of the equation,” said Galle.
When the bridge between Somersworth and Berwick is under construction next summer, the section of Main Street that runs in front of Berwick town hall will be closed to traffic. It will be a perfect dry run for the idea, said DVC co-chair Frank Underwood.
There are currently three base models for the downtown vision project that reflect the opinions expressed by residents. These drafts are separated by how much “green space”, meaning recreational land area, the town would like to incorporate into the downtown space formerly occupied by Prime Tanning.
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| Arek Galle from GLA reviews current drafts for Prime Tanning space |
The first model reflects 10 percent green area with 45 percent residential, and 45 percent business. The second draft reflects 40 percent green wrapped in business with virtually no residential. The final draft reflects 75 green with a mix of residential and business.
Galle explained when a town creates an outdoor destination, it also creates a place for businesses to thrive. It all about finding the right balance, said Galle.
One potential project that showed big promise was bringing in a micro-brewery because the there is already an existing water treatment tank on the proposed site, said Galle.
“When I cross the bridge from New Hampshire into Berwick I want to see the riverfront, I want to see businesses, but most of all I want to see people,” said Galleshaw.
Little known to most Berwick residents there is an underground river that runs beneath the Prime Tanning site. Although, there has been some talk of bringing it up to land level, the general consensus is currently against the idea based on concern of flooding and maintenance costs. However, Galleshaw suggested creating a pedestrian trail that runs along its path.
DVC member Judy Haley stressed the importance of bringing taxable revenue into Berwick.
“Berwick residents vote ‘no’ for the new visions they hear about because they are taxed up to here,” said Haley indicating eyebrow level. “We need to bring new tax space into town because voters need to know that these things [recreational ideas] are going to be supported.”
Planning Board member Niles Schore, pointed out that Berwick resident who took the survey that was sent out in April don’t know the results. Schore suggested a brochure including those results be sent out to Berwick residents. This is the next project that the DVC plans to tackle.
The goal of the DVC is to wrap up the vision process by fall and present the gathered information to the selectmen so the town can move into action.
“This is a big project with big horizons,” said Galle. “The future is now.”
What do you see in Bewick's future?
First let me thank Jessie for taking her own time to create this blog!!! What a wonderful idea for Berwick. I hope that you include information in the brochure your sending out about this blog, so everyone can read it and participate. I also wanted to say that I think the Microbrewery is a great idea!!!
ReplyDeleteD Milbury
I just received the Envisioning Downtown Berwick newsletter in the mail and for the most part all I saw for the most part was a what I will call a yuppy type envision of Berwick. No chain food stores(we already have one), no motorboats on the river, green this green that, a rec center, no industrial base. Simple question, who do you think is going to pay for and support all this stuff. Beginning to sound like Washington. Industrial and commercial growth bring in revenue, what is wrong with another chain food facility in town? Like it or not Berwick is not a thriving metropolis that people flock to for fun and more than likely will remain that way. One section stated "will more business mean more traffic congestion", last I knew the answer will more than likely be yes. What Berwick does need is a good cleaning up, Prime Tanning is disgraceful and do to the cost of cleanup will be that way for a long time. Visions are great, but please do not try and turn Berwick into some little yuppy town as in Vermont.
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