Southcoast Rail is (finally) real and it’s pulling into New Bedford’s north end at Church Street – soon-ish. 

How hosting a commuter rail station will shape the neighborhood around both the north end station on Church Street, as well as the Whale’s Tooth station nearer to downtown, is being studied right now, however – and your input is requested.

The New Bedford Department of City Planning (DCP), with assistance from the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD), is conducting a study of existing and future conditions for the areas surrounding both the North New Bedford (Church Street) and New Bedford (Whales Tooth) commuter train platforms. 

Here’s what will happen: The project team will first evaluate existing conditions and then present findings to the public in order to gather public input. The team will then craft recommendations using that input to shape the neighborhoods surrounding the future platforms. 

The Department of City Planning is holding a public meeting to gather feedback and opinions on existing conditions and desired future development for both locations. That feedback is crucial to prepare for the arrival of commuter rail service. 

The meeting date and time is Tuesday, January 14, 2020 from 6pm – 8pm at the New Bedford Public Library, 613 Pleasant St, New Bedford, MA. You can visit the project website (www.srpedd.org/New-Bedford-TOD-Study) for more information about the study, fill out a public survey, leave a comment, and to connect with the project team. 

Please note that the meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities.