Public Comments

Please use our feedback page to let us know what you'd like to see our design plan address.

from Lori Drew
Jack's Times Square Barber Salon, Summer Street.

Will Downtown Pawtucket ever see the glory days of the 1940s or 50s?  If you ask the seniors in the area who have fond memories of the "Good Old Days of Downtown," the answer is an emphatic "No."  Many of the cities previous leaders have tried, with out  positive results, to do just that. So, how will the latest attempts at revitalizing "Downtucket"  be any different?

Firstly,  the new name "Downtucket" doesn't exactly reverberate a city on the rise.  It sounds more like a hick town where local‚s are too lazy to speak more than two syllables. I have yet to find anyone who feels the new naming justly reflects the downtown image. I have heard it called many names throughout the years though, from the famous "Bucket" to the most recent, "area 51." Unfortunately,  I believe the latter is more reflective of our image. Do the leaders of this city really believe a name change will be one of the catalyst to a revitalization?

Secondly, almost every politician to come down the pike has tried, without much success, to return our city to it‚s once prosperous standings.  Main street has seen several attempts at remedying issues over the years, from traffic calming, parking, to increasing foot traffic. Changes have been made to the side walk‚s, a parking garage had been added, and awnings placed above sidewalks to shelter the few pedestrians traveling through. Do the leaders of this city really believe another change to the Main street area will increase the lure to "Downtucket."

Apparently they do.  Unfortunately, the many costly structural changes past leaders have implemented, lead us no closer to being the once heavily populated downtown many of us remember. I'm not suggesting we stick out heads in the sand and ignore the cities steady demise. I'm simply stating that changing the view won't solve any of the business issues many of us "Downtucket" business owners face. Changing street directions will only offer alternate routes of suffering. 

For years Main street and Roosevelt avenue have been the only areas any type of change has reached.  Christmas directions adorn lamp posts in the winter and cherry trees blossom in the spring. While Summer street, Exchange, and Broad, are littered with debris and empty store fronts. Even Main street is not immune to the emptiness. But it sure looks pretty!

Lastly, to the committee‚s and politicians who are in search of ways to beautify the downtown area and attract new business, here are a few suggestions. Instead of spending millions to re-do side walks, streets, and various other structural additions, take a walk down Main, Exchange, Summer and Broad, talk to the business owners who have been there for years, the ones who have seen this city in its glory days.  Notice the empty store fronts or the excess number of store front churches.  Investigate who actually shops and patronizes the few businesses that are left. Park your car on North Union and see the folks who visit the methadone clinic, or the B.I.P. office for Domestic Violence classes and observe the traffic and parking issues this creates. Discover the ethnicity of the general population that know lives and patronizes the downtown area. Notice how many duplicated business‚s we have, specifically Barber shops and hair salons. Check out Exchange Streets beautiful Elks building that used to house 5 reputable businesses, yet now will only rent to antique enthusiast. Not to mention, talking to the citizens of "Downtucket", wouldn't cost the city a dime and, you might be very surprised at what you learn. 

I own a business in Pawtucket that has thrived for over 20 years, changed owners 3 times and relocated once. It survived largely because we took the time and effort to listen to our customers, payed attention to the needs of our clientele and delivered on our promises, not because we repainted or added pretty furnishings. 

Thank you

from Laura Burkett

What I love about Pawtucket - Most of all, I love the beautiful red brick that I see everywhere thanks to our rich history that brought us the mill buildings. I also love the mulitcultural aspect of Pawtucket. I love that so many artists live here and are moving here.  

If I could change one thing about Pawtucket, I would eliminate some of the massive seas of asphalt that sit practically empty much of the time. I find it distressing to hear that Pawtucket is known for being difficult to park in. What?!  I would give anything to have most of those lots turned into green spaces - either small parks or community gardens, or just plain old GRASS WITH A FEW TREES.

I don't ride a bicycle because it seems dangerous to do so without enough bike lanes. (It would be perfect for me because I live only 4 or 5 miles from work.)

The worst intersection for me personally is Armistice/Newport Ave - with NO LEFT TURN LANE - but I know that is not downtown...

If I could change one street, it would be Main Street. I would reduce/eliminate all but foot traffic and I would change our zoning laws to attract more businesses like Kafe Lila, which sadly closed due to lack of foot traffic.

My image of downtown Pawtucket is mixed. I think of it as cute but quirky. I love Slater Mill. Downtown has soooo much potential, but there are some pretty sad-looking buildings that need major facelifts - particularly on Main Street.

I would locate my business here if I were going to sell through distributors or retailers in Providence or other cities, but right now, there is not enough momentum to believe that I could open a retail venue that sells directly to the public.

Sadly, I don't walk much because most of the places I need to go to are not within walking distance. That we don't have a good grocery store in downtown is discouraging. No more coffee shop... What about a book store? It feels a bit chicken and egg, I know. "If you build it, tey will come" comes to mind.

What do I avoid? The Walgreen's across the intersection from Riverside Diner. That is probably the worst intersection in the city. I avoid Walgreen's because it does not feel safe. The intersection itself is a doozey if you are driving or walking. Again, seems it's always difficult to make a left turn in this city.

I do think that zoning needs a major overhaul. Right now, businesses don't want to come here because it is just too difficult and requires too many variances. (Mike L, your presentation at the PADS meeting illustrated this perfectly.)

from Paul Mowrey

Now that the schedule for replacing the I-95 bridge is known, it seems to me that there is going to be a 2 year period of adjustment when Taft Street and Pleasant Street under the bridge might not be passable because of work. Will there be some drastic experiments during this period, for example East Avenue 2 way up to George Street? However, we are reallly interested in the long term. As soon as the south bound bridge is replaced the heavy truck  traffic will be gone from Exchange and Goff. 

Pedestrian Crossings
I my opinion all of the pedestrian signals are worn out and have barely visiable wait and walk signals; they need to be replaced. I think that if this w ere done you would have a  much safer situation on Goff Avenue and Main Street.

Traffic Patterns
The intersection of North Union Street and Broad Street is hazardous for the North union Street driver as you have to stop and turn 120 degrees to see who is coming down Broad Street.

Parking
The City needs to keep freshing up the garage, apint over the graffitti, and did out the the trees that are growing at the Park Place entrance.

Directional Signs
IT seems that signs must be installed accoording to a certain standard. I think that we looose the opportunity to install some invoative directional signs becaus eof this. Cities in the west which generally have higher local speeds often have large street signs attached to their horizonoal signal arms. The new black and white signs are fine  but something more could be helpful.

Park Place
This was once a beautiful area which could be upgraded by transferring the School Department parking lot, behind the fence, to the west side of Main Street - yes, all of that emply space. The parking lot was a once a mansion which was razed over a weekend by Pawtucket Savings and Trust and they left us with that asphalt void. Some type of two story building here would help to improve the image of the area. What do us Americans have against the International blue “P” for parking? It sure beats writng out parking all the time.