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On the Boards
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The Cecil Group is happy to report another successful quarter. New projects include: A smart growth overlay project for Andover, MA, a study of the State Pier in New London, CT (working as a subconsultant to Milone & MacBroom), 40B Design Guidelines for the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, architectural services for the Hull Carousel, public participation process and facilitation for Hamilton, MA, transit oriented development study in Seymore Beacon Falls, CT
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Plan Views
from The Cecil Group
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There's a chill in the air and a mourning for the summer that never was in Boston. But with a predicted increase in construction for 2010 and news that unemployment in Massachusetts may be on the decline our thoughts turn optimistic for a healthier 2010 for everyone in the design industry. And while we're being optimistic we're hopeful that construction at 241 A Street will be completed within the next month. Just in time for us to turn our office warming party into a 1-year anniversary party.
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MA DHCD Technical Assistance Grants
The MA Downtown Initiative Program application is now available for non-entitlement communities needing assistance with downtown revitalization efforts. If awarded, your community could receive up to $10,000 for initiatives such as business improvement district, wayfinding/branding, parking, housing, creative economy, etc. Applications are due November 20, 2009. Learn more and download the application by clicking here.
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The Cecil Group's Carbon Footprint
Sustainability is on our mind at The Cecil Group. In order to step up our green factor we're measuring our carbon footprint and developing a program to lower it. Keep a look out in future issues of Plan Views to see what steps we're taking to reduce our carbon footprint and how well we're tracking against our goals.
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Project Spotlight - Downtown Framingham
In September, The Cecil Group completed a two-year evaluation and planning study of transportation alternatives for Downtown Framingham. Leading the urban planning and design, The Cecil Group worked as part of a multi-disciplinary team which also looked at transportation and economic development implications of a series of traffic improvement strategies for the intersection of Route 126, Route 135 and an at-grade commuter and freight rail line in Downtown Framingham. The urban planning and design effort focused on understanding how possible circulation and transportation changes associated with the rail crossing and vehicular congestion issues would affect Downtown Framingham and identified potential viable urban design and development opportunities.
The Cecil Group evaluated Downtown Framingham's existing urban design conditions and potential development sites by conducting a parcel-by-parcel susceptibility to change analysis, evaluating the existing building utilization, parking constraints and the preferred transportation alternative, as determined by the lead consultant, BETA Group.
These studies and analyses informed a 30-year building program for Framingham's Downtown that capitalizes on the under utilization of the area's existing buildings, the development potential associated with the CSX rail related properties and an increased focus on transit oriented development opportunities in Downtown Framingham. The result is a 123% increase of the current existing Downtown building space, for a total increase of 2.9 million SF of additional building program.
The Cecil Group visualized this building program, based on the studies, analyses and the preferred transportation alternative, in a three-dimensional computer generated development model of Downtown Framingham. The model expresses the planning principles and implementation strategies that can be employed to achieve the build out in an optimal manner. The model maintains and restores the historical buildings that line the Downtown core, while capitalizing on infill development options located just beyond the core. New development is spread throughout the Downtown area. Developing the Downtown through multiple projects enables widespread change and is more conducive to expanding the mixed-use environment that is the foundation of Downtown Framingham.
The locations for new development sites are based on the analysis of their susceptibility to change. The model projects residential, commercial and mixed-use infill projects, mixed-use and commercial transit oriented developments, as well as both medium and high-density residential developments. Additionally, the Development Plan includes increased open space areas throughout the Downtown as well as increased parking to support the mix of uses projected for the entire area. The study has created a shared vision for improving the Downtown area and enjoys the support of municipal elected officials, municipal staff and community members.
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Discussing Gateway Cities at the Southern New England Planning Conference
Ken Buckland, a principal with The Cecil Group, will be participating in a roundtable discussion at the Southern New England Planning Conference on Friday, November 6th. The roundtable discussion will center around Massachusetts' Gateway Cities program. He'll share his expertise on neighborhood revitalization and speak to The Cecil Group's involvement in the Gateway Cities program through the firm's work in Worcester and Salem.
Click here to sign up for Session E2 - Gateway Cities: Neighborhood Planning Challenges and Solutions
Other participants include:
Susan St. Pierre, AICP, Principal
Vine Associates, Inc., Newburyport, MA
David Spillane, AICP, Director of Planning & Urban Design Goody Clancy, Boston, MA
Karl F. Seidman, President
Karl F. Seidman Consulting Services, Cambridge, MA
Gretchen Von Grossmann, AIA, AICP, LEED AP, President
Von Grossmann & Company, Boston, MA
To learn more about the Southern New England Planning Conference or to register click here. The conference takes place November 5th and 6th.
You can view the finished plans for any of the 18 cities that received funding through the Gateway Plus Action Grant here.
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The Cecil Group at Build Boston
Valerie Conyngham, the Marketing + Business Manager with The Cecil Group, will be leading a roundtable discussion on using BIM to market your firm. The panel is part of the BIM Symposium happening on Wednesday November 18th at Build Boston. To register for BIMulus: Using BIM to market your firm (session A90) or the whole symposium click here. Use promo code BB09SPEAK and receive 15 percent off this workshop and all other a la carte workshops.
Other participants include:
Tony Rinella, Chair AIA TAP Advisory Group
Jill Rothenberg, ADD, Inc., Boston, MA
Nancy Ludwig FAIA, LEED AP, ICON Architecture, Boston, MA
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We hope you enjoyed our 3rd issue of Plan Views - The Cecil Group's quarterly e-newsletter. Our aim is to provide you with useful information and update you on firm news. Is there other information you'd like to hear from us? Reply to this email and give us your feedback. Here's to a successful close to 2009.
Sincerely,
The Cecil Group
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