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  Hick - Logan – Sawyer (HLS) District Master Plan

The HLS District consists of approximately 95 acres of predominantly industrial zoned land covering 13 city blocks. The HLS District is located north of the existing Designated Port Area (DPA). It is bounded on the east by the Acushnet River, on the south by Wamsutta St., and on the west and north by Acushnet Ave., I-195, Belleville Ave., Mitchell St. and Sawyer St. The District contains mill buildings dating to the 19th and 20th centuries, when it was the center of textile and metals manufacturing. Through the HLS Master Plan, the Planning Board, Planning Department and the Redevelopment Authority will encourage the redevelopment of brownfields, as well as, new development within the HLS District. The goals of this plan include the enhancement of public access and public safety in the area, improvement of the streets, sidewalks, parks and bicycle paths, acquiring public access to the waterfront and preserving the water views, while placing a high emphasis on environmentally sound development, redevelopment and long-term occupation of the District.

  Open Space & Recreation Plan

The City of New Bedford’s Open Space and Recreation Plan sets out to develop a coordinated set of goals and objectives to improve outdoor recreational opportunities, as well as, protect the city’s natural resources. Its purpose is to provide a comprehensive framework within which decisions regarding recreational facility development and land conservation can be based for the next five years. Encompassed by this plan are a variety of aspects concerning the quality of life in New Bedford, including but not limited to, playgrounds and sports facilities, parks and open space, brownfields remediation and groundwater protection. The Planning Department is currently updating and revising this document, which will be sent to the state for approval early this fall.

  City of New Bedford Master Plan

A master plan is a statement using text, maps, illustrations, graphics, etc. that provides a basis for decision-making regarding long-term development/redevelopment of a city. A master plan will provide the City of New Bedford with the vision and analysis necessary to be proactive, rather than reactive, in regards to economic growth, affordable housing, development and redevelopment, infrastructure, facilities maintenance, education system, crime and punishment, open space and recreation, tourism, etc. This master plan will fuse the Open Space & Recreation Plan, Traffic Circulation & Parking Plan, Downtown Overlay District, Harbor Master Plan, Mill Overlay Districts, etc. into one cohesive plan with actions for the City to implement and build on over the coming years. To this end, Mayor Scott Lang has charged the City Planning Department and the Planning Board with the task of developing a city master plan by late spring, early summer 2007.