Draft Goals & Objectives

We hope to use this working draft to prompt feedback from the Steering Committee, New Bedford community members, and other stakeholders to inform further refinement, revisions, and development of plan goals, objectives, and actions. Please share your ideas to help us define the future for New Bedford!
THEME 1: GLOBAL PIONEER

GP.1 Goal: Ensure the future success of established hubs, like the port and business park
GP.1 Objectives
  1. Preserve waterfront-dependent uses for future generations in the designated port area
  2. Prepare the port for future evolution of the fishing and marine economy

GP.2 Goal: Continue to pioneer economic innovation
GP.2 Objectives
  1. Advance New Bedford as a hub for the marine economy and emerging offshore wind industry
  2. Continue to value and foster local entrepreneurship and small businesses
  3. Build on New Bedford’s history of manufacturing innovation (from textiles to food processing specializations) to yield future manufacturing advancements
  4. Continue to provide economic support for arts & culture in recognition of its innovation and economic impacts in the City.

GP.3 Goal: Lead in climate resiliency
GP.3 Objectives
  1. Seek innovative solutions to achieve the goals and recommendations of NB Resilient
  2. Partner with regional, state, and federal entities to implement resiliency projects
  3. Engage vulnerable communities in decision-making and preparation for climate impacts (NBR Goal)   
  4. Create a Citywide Cooling Plan to combat heat island impacts
  5. Expand the use of energy efficient and renewable energy choices and green infrastructure and nature-based resilient solutions on City properties and in municipal projects.
  6. Incorporate standards for climate-resilient development into the City’s zoning and project approval processes for new development or significant rehabilitation.

GP.4 Goal: Celebrate the City’s history as a diverse, multicultural community.
GP.4 Objectives
  1. Foster community-wide understanding and appreciation of New Bedford’s multicultural history
  2. Grow multiple arts and culture hubs in New Bedford, expanding from Downtown to places like Acushnet Avenue.
  3. Expand and promote events that celebrate the unique cultures in New Bedford

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* 1. What is missing from this list?

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* 2. What ideas do you have to make these objectives happen?

THEME 2: REGIONAL HUB

RH.1 Goal:  Remain a successful economic competitor in the region that builds, attracts, and retains the workforce and skills needed to anchor Greater New Bedford economically
RH.1 Objectives
  1. Nurture a healthy relationship with the private sector to build a diversified, inclusive regional economy that offers opportunities for everyone who seeks it.
  2. Invest in workforce development in high-wage and growing sectors
  3. Create targeted growth districts to support economic development
  4. Capitalize on New Bedford’s manufacturing capabilities to develop high-tech industry
  5. Potential: Plan for the needed expansion of institutional and civic uses, such as educational, and medical campuses to support broader economic growth. 

RH.2 Goal: Reinforce New Bedford’s role as an arts, culture, and history hub
RH.2 Objectives
  1. Support the work of NB Creative and the implementation of the recommendations of the 2018 NB Creative Plan.
  2. Leverage City, NBEDC, and other partner resources/facilities to embed arts and culture in every neighborhood, opening access to creative arts experiences and participation citywide.
  3. Continue to invest in and market the cultural and historic assets of New Bedford.
  4. Preserve and promote New Bedford’s important historical properties, landscapes, and sites.
  5. Continue to encourage adaptive reuse of historic buildings to preserve the historic character of the City.
  6. Support the arts community by ensuring access to spaces to live, work, and share their art.
  7. Educate and inspire the next generation of creative artists and thinkers
  8. Continue to advocate for public art in infrastructure and development projects

RH.3 Goal: Capitalize on connections to transportation assets including the airport, ferries, and intercity rail.
RH.3 Objectives
  1. Improve the “first impression” to New Bedford from the regional highway system through land use and well-designed infrastructure improvements.
  2. Build on the opportunity of the MBTA intercity rail extension to create vibrant, accessible transit-oriented neighborhoods in New Bedford.
  3. Realize the economic opportunities inherent in the New Bedford Regional Airport and its planned improvements.

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* 3. What is missing from this list?

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* 4. What ideas do you have to make these objectives happen?

Theme 3: Thriving City

TC.1 Goal: Increase the overall supply of housing citywide 
TC.1 Objectives
  1. Collaborate with neighboring communities to collectively address regional housing challenges.
  2. Facilitate new housing production across income levels.
  3. Identify opportunities to streamline processes and remove existing barriers to housing development.
  4. Leverage the MBTA Communities Act as an opportunity to rethink housing density in key areas within the City.
  5. Promote home ownership and independent living.

TC.2 Goal: Embed resilience, equity, and inclusion into all City Departments and City initiatives
TC.2 Objectives
  1. Continuously engage community groups, partners, and traditionally underrepresented groups in plan implementation and policy decisions.
  2. Provide clear and transparent City communication. 
  3. Measure and track progress to ensure equity in implementation
  4. Connect all New Bedford residents to economic opportunities.
  5. Expand tools and resources to protect residents and small businesses from rising costs.

TC.3 Goal: Build a safe, connected multi-modal transportation network
TC.3 Objectives
  1. Enhance safety and access for all users on streets and pathways citywide (align with OSRP)
  2. Improve physical connections between neighborhoods.
  3. Increase the use of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit (align with NB Resilient goal).
  4. Design “gateway” moments at key entry points to the City, as identified in the Future Land Use Map.
  5. Continue to work regionally to improve bike and transit connections.

TC.4 Goal: Promote a healthy environment for nature and people to thrive
TC.4 Objectives
  1. Increase tree canopy coverage equitably across the city (align with NB Resilient goal)
  2. Preserve and restore open spaces and natural habitats.
  3. Expand use of green infrastructure and stormwater management best practices (see OSRP Goal 4 objective 1).
  4. Expand educational opportunities on climate change and natural habitats.
  5. Continue the City’s ongoing brownfields cleanup and redevelopment work.

TC.5 Goal: Reinvest in Public Buildings & Infrastructure
TC.5 Objectives
  1. Continue to address the City’s ongoing deferred maintenance and repair projects

TC.6 Goal: Maintain a Healthy Institutional Presence in New Bedford
TC.6 Objectives
  1. Collaborate with institutions, nonprofits, and other land owners (e.g. State agencies, hospitals) who can help implement the recommendations of the Plan.
  2. Support long-term institutional success by collaborating with existing institutions to evolve and modernize their buildings and sites in a way that is compatible with surrounding uses and city planning goals.
  3. Foster and grow potential partnerships with new institutions who can locate in or contribute to New Bedford through cultural, educational, or research-based initiatives.

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* 5. What's missing from this list?

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* 6. What ideas do you have to make these objectives happen?

Theme 4: Inclusive Neighborhoods

IN.1 Goal: Provide housing for all generations, incomes, and group sizes
IN.1 Objectives
  1. Support the preservation of affordable housing citywide and modify and improve existing housing stock to meet the needs of New Bedford residents.
  2. Address housing instability and the unhoused community

IN.2 Goal: Ensure all neighborhoods feel safe and welcoming
IN.2 Objectives
  1. Enhance the quality and comfort of New Bedford’s public realm.
  2. Incorporate universal design best practices into public spaces, including paths, open spaces, and community facilities.
  3. Continue to invest in New Bedford’s school buildings and sites through the MSBA program, recognizing that schools are neighborhood anchor institutions and essential to student success
  4. Build on the existing neighborhood-level library system to promote indoor meeting space, play space, gathering and learning space in every neighborhood.
  5. Increase evening and nighttime neighborhood activity
  6. Identify and strengthen neighborhood hubs and expand opportunities to build multimodal pathways and connections between neighbors
  7. Support community-facing retail and services in neighborhood hubs (See IN.4)

IN.3 Goal: Diversify recreation offerings and improve access to parks and open spaces.
IN.3 Objectives
  1. Expand outdoor recreational and open space opportunities for all New Bedford residents, regardless of age or ability (See OSRP) 
  2. Incorporate park amenities that reach a range of ages, with a particular focus on teens
  3. Invest in park infrastructure to support community gathering and events, including access to power and flexible spaces.
  4. Leverage New Bedford’s multifaceted waterfront and natural resources to expand access to water recreation (see OSRP).
IN.4 Goal: Support local businesses/commercial districts and reimagine existing buildings
IN.4 Objectives
  1. Foster a model of neighborhood retail and service clusters to support easy access on foot or by bike to most daily needs.
  2. Support business growth in targeted areas. 
  3. Reduce vacancy and redevelop underutilized sites.

IN.5 Goal: Provide high-quality public amenities, services, and infrastructure
IN.5 Objectives
  1. Continue and expand de-leading initiatives to reduce exposure to lead citywide
  2. Create an equity-driven city-wide sidewalk rehabilitation/creation plan
  3. Continue to pursue excellence in education.

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* 7. What's missing from this list?

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* 8. What ideas do you have to make these objectives happen?

Thank you so much for your input!

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