The Westfield City Council approved an ordinance providing for the issuance of $12 million in bonds Oct. 14 to finance improvements along Park Street and for park facilities and amenities at Simon Moon Park.
Of those funds, approximately $5.5 million will be earmarked for Phase 2 improvements at Simon Moon Park, slated to begin in 2025. Those improvements include the addition of boardwalks and infrastructure.
The remaining funds will be used for streetscape updates along Park Street, part of an overall plan for economic development and revitalization in the city’s “quaint core.”
Westfield’s Economic Development Department, Parks Department and Department of Public Works are working collaboratively on the streetscape planning for Park Street, which could include a plaza and improvements to the Midland Trace Trail. However, that planning is still in the concept phase.
“We’re looking at improvements along Park Street that would create a more pedestrian-friendly environment, particularly as those restaurants have patios that are facing the street,” Economic Development Director Jenelle Fairman told the members of the council during the first reading of the ordinance Sept. 23. “We have the (designated outdoor refreshment area) that has just been created downtown. We really want to create an atmosphere where people can feel like they have more of a community feeling when they’re on Park Street.”
Fairman said the preliminary plans include outdoor games, brick pavers, enhanced lighting and relocation of some utilities to create a welcoming environment to encourage socialization and enjoyment for pedestrians on Park Street.
“We have a lot of businesses that have invested in restaurants along that location, and really the sidewalks and the road are not friendly and welcoming,” Fairman said. “We’d love to make it a great place for people to enjoy from the time they park until the time they dine.”
Fairman said in addition to design and engineering, the funding would also be used to purchase right-of-ways and/or easements. A timeline for development and a line-by-line budget is not yet available.
The city’s Park & Poplar development is a proposed $164 million mixed-use redevelopment project along the Midland Trace Trail from the connection at Poplar Street/Westfield Boulevard to Grand Junction Plaza. Planned development along Park Street aims to establish a central business district in Westfield, including parking, housing and commercial development.
Park & Poplar is expected to include a boutique hotel, office space, retail space, luxury multifamily residences and public parking to support local businesses and community events at Grand Junction Plaza.