Dreams for a better Mass Ave

We want to ride our bikes to North Cambridge, and to games at Arlington High School.

We want to enjoy chatting with neighbors on wide sidewalks around the Capitol theater.

We want to cross Mass Ave using protected cross-walks.

The Weitzmans
Trowbridge Street

Candidates debate Mass Ave

Kudos to Selectman Candidate Kevin Greeley for his outspoken defense of the Mass Ave project:

More vibrant, safe, and beautiful

We support a better Mass Ave because we use Mass Ave all the time!

We have been East Arlington residents for 14 years, and we know improvements are sorely needed.

We have had countless harrowing experiences attempting to cross Mass Ave on foot, either in the past pushing strollers or now—where our middle-school-aged daughter attempts to cross Mass Ave daily on her own to use public transportation.

We wholeheartedly support the plans to revamp the area, and we are looking forward to a more vibrant, safe, and beautiful stretch of Mass Ave.

Amy Copperman
Tobey Jackson
Mystic Valley Parkway

A glimpse of things to come

Do you recognize Mass Ave? Here's the town's design approaching Capitol Square, showing the improved crosswalk at Marathon Street:

Design for business district includes raised pedestrian island, traversable flush median, bike lanes, striping, and at left two inbound travel lanes.

No to 4 lanes

Vote No to 4 lanes and Yes to 3!

Our neighborhood can be made a much better and safer place to live—a destination and not just a thoroughfare!

Currently it's a sprint just to cross the road.

Imagine how nice it would be around the Capitol Square area without having to play frogger!
Jessica & Peter Jones
Henderson Street

Not a speedway

We support a better Mass Ave because Arlington is a rare thing these days: a community where you can see actual human beings on the ground, going about their business as people have for thousands of years, and we need to continue to support and improve their ability to do so. 

A better Mass Ave will allow all of us, young and old, able bodied and less so, drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, stroller pushers, and the rest to be able to conduct our business (and pleasure) with some measure of equity and efficiency.

America is full of 4 lane speedways where anyone not in a car doesn't matter.  We don't need another one running through Arlington. 

Let's give humans some consideration on our main street!

The Smiths on tour

The Smith Family
Avon Place

Improves the character

The Capitol Square area has been working hard to become a local hub of sorts (for diners, shoppers, moviegoers, etc.). Witness the fact that we now call it the "Capitol Square" area!

But the ugly and pedestrian-unfriendly character of Mass Ave stands as an impediment.

My hope is that the planned changes to the Mass Ave corridor—very much including the reduction from 4 lanes to 3—will improve the character of this potentially vibrant area enormously.

Ned Hall

Brooks Avenue

Great sense of community

East Arlington has a great sense of community, and we are very lucky to be able to walk around the neighborhood and down Mass Ave with the kids and connect with our neighbors as we go.

This project will support the sense of community that makes East Arlington so special, and has attracted so many young families, making it safer as our families grow.

The Weber Family
Thorndike Street

Too good to pass up

Our family is eagerly looking forward to a Mass Avenue that works for everyone, with better cross walks, bus shelters, bike lanes, and new plantings.

If Arlington loses this money, then the taxpayers will be on the hook to pay for much needed repairs. We can’t let this opportunity for a better Mass Avenue pass.

Please vote NO on question one.

Jennifer Susse
Jonathan Shapiro

Teel Street

Safer, more attractive

As a long time resident of Arlington Heights, I greatly value the neighborly, pedestrian-friendly feel of our business district and look forward to the same for East Arlington, thanks to the plan that has evolved through collaboration between experts and residents and which in its present form, qualifies for federal funding.

I have enjoyed watching the plan develop and gain support, witnessing and participating in that process, and I'm very excited at the prospect of enjoying its many benefits—all at little cost to us, except for a travel lane we have never needed and the temporary inconvenience of construction.

I'm sure I will take much greater advantage of the wonderful restaurants, shops and cultural venues in a part of town where I seldom stop now, when it is a safer, more attractive place to visit.

Louise Popkin
Cliff Street

Safety and sense of place

For me, the project is all about increasing pedestrian safety and creating a greater sense of place here in East Arlington.

There is just no way to accomplish those dual goals by keeping the 4-lane freeway we have now.

As a car driver, I know that there just isn't the level of traffic heading toward Arlington Center that needs 2 lanes.

An occasional minor inconvenience is a very small price to pay for increasing safety.

Jennifer Griffith
Edith Street

Highway design does not fit

East Arlington has everything you could want in a neighborhood
and community.

What doesn't fit is the highway that runs through it.

Scott Mullen
Karena Paukulis
Henderson Street

A safe walkable neighborhood

My wife and I moved to East Arlington eight years ago so we could start a family in a safe, walkable neighborhood. 

I support the Mass Ave plan because it will make crossing Mass Ave with my kids safer, and it will make it even more pleasant to visit the business district.

Alex Bilsky
Amsden St.

Cross safely to the best places

It will be really great when the residents of my precinct, from the youngest to the oldest, can safely cross Mass Ave to enjoy the outstanding outdoor and recreational amenities of East Arlington—the Minuteman Bikeway and Spy Pond Park!

Let’s go, Arlington!

Susan Stamps
Grafton Street
Town Meeting Member, Precinct 3

Every way possible

We use Mass Ave every way possible nearly every day. 

It's time for Mass Ave to evolve and better accomodate each of those uses—walking, driving, and bicycling. 

Let's vote no and move forward with a safer and smoother Mass Ave.

The Hite Family
Varnum St

So many reasons

We want a better Mass Ave for many reasons!

We look forward to a place we can bike safely, shop locally, and cross the street without great fear.

Neely Family
Webcowet Rd

We need to vote NO

We need to vote NO to show our support to create East Arlington/Capitol Square as a true destination not just an expressway for exiting the town as quickly as possible.

Kevin Greeley,
Mystic Street

So much to gain

Arlington has so much to gain from a Mass Ave that is truly safe and welcoming to everyone, whether you drive, bike, walk, or take the bus (all of which I do).

This is really about finding the right balance among all the transportation choices people have; right now, Mass Ave doesn't really work well for anyone, and we need it to work for everyone.

The plan will make Mass Ave safer for everyone, especially the most vulnerable road users.

David Watson
Franklin Street

A modern Mass Ave

The new Mass Ave will be a place to go to, not to go through.

A modern Mass Ave will build upon what's great about East Arlington. Mass Ave can be the focal point of our community, not a dividing line unsafe to cross.

I look forward to crossing the street safely with my dog!

Molly Flueckiger
Fairmont St.

A user-friendly main street

We live on the north side of Mass Ave and criss cross the avenue many times a week by foot, car or bike to get to Hardy school, Boys and Girls Club, Capitol Square, the bike path and neighboring towns. 

 

We look forward to a user-friendly main street with improved crosswalks, bike lanes, and road conditions, not to mention updated landscape design. 

 

 With our kids approaching middle-school age, pedestrian safety is a primary concern as they begin to walk and explore the town on their own. 

 

Let's do this now while we have federal funds. What a huge boost it will be for Arlington! 

The Loeb Family

Park St.

View from the Heights

My husband John and I live on the west side of town, though also love to shop and dine at several East Arlington businesses.

But, the wide roadway is such a "pedestrian-hostile" contrast to our business district in the Heights, where Mass Ave is narrower and it's an easy, pleasant place for errands on-foot.

We, in fact, chose our Arlington neighborhood for its walkability.

So, I am very excited about the Mass Ave project, to make the sidewalks and street-crossings more pedestrian-friendly, the roadway safer for bicycles, and the sidewalks more inviting with space for outdoor dining.

Obvious improvements

It's just obvious that the Mass Ave improvements are great for East Arlington residents, and anybody who visits or uses the business district, or even friends there.

But some folks have tried to make these Mass Ave improvements sound scary by harping on the fact that it would be 3 lanes instead of 4.

In fact, with the changes, traffic is expected to flow more smoothly, with no slowdown in commute time.

We're all for it!

The Goldman/Greens
Fairview Ave

Great project for the town

The Mass Ave Corridor project will create a safer road for all travelers.

It will beautify the area and attract more pedestrian foot traffic, which will lead to more people shopping Arlington's businesses, and it is all being paid for by State and Federal Government.

This is a great project for the town and I fully support it.

Steven Byrne
Upland Rd.

Better than the status quo

Mass Avenue belongs to everyone, and it's time that its design reflected the road's many users: pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

Arlington deserves better than the status quo.

Milton-Halperin family
West St.

Smoother, safer travel

Like most of our neighbors, we look forward to a better Mass Ave for everyone.

The Berggren-Younkins at the White House

Improvements to the road design, traffic signals, crosswalk placements, and bicycle lanes will benefit all of us, whether we drive, bike, or walk.

In our family, we walk to school and to our wonderful East Arlington businesses, bike to work and to the Alewife T stop, ride public transit, and, of course, drive for errands and activities.

We are excited to enjoy smoother, safer travel, no matter how we are traveling.

Berggren-Younkin Family
Harlow Street

A good balance

Mass Ave, as it currently exists, is a dangerous and unwieldy stretch of road that does not safely and efficiently serve the needs of everyone who uses it, whether they be drivers, shoppers, or pedestrians.

We support the proposed plan because it is a good balance of safety and usability.  It considers the needs of local businesses, commuters of all kinds (including motorists) and, especially, the families like us who live along the corridor.

The Pearlmutter-Bearson Family
Harlow Street

Much-needed facelift

The Mass Ave Corridor Project campaign is a wonderful testament to what civic involvement, problem-solving, and consensus-building can achieve.

While no issue will ever please all of the people all of the time, great care was taken to best meet the needs of all stakeholders who use Mass. Ave.

The project will put many people more at ease as drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Indeed, some use the avenue in all three capacities.

In addition, it will provide a much-needed facelift for a section of town that has hungered for an economic and cultural renaissance.

Kurt Fusaris

We can't wait!

We cycle, and walk, and scooter around our neighborhood—we want to have fun and be safe at the same time!

A more beautiful Mass Ave is better for us, and for our favorite East Arlington businesses, too.  We can't wait to see it happen!

The Gerberick-DiBona Family
Grafton Street

Better than today

Mass Ave, as now practiced,

• is dangerous
• does damage to cars because of it's poor condition
• hurts businesses because it's a thoroughfare rather than a district
• is a wall dividing two sides of a neighborhood
• does not comply with road-design safety standards and regulations.

Who on Earth would want Mass Ave "as now practiced"?

For our children and families, for the elderly and disabled, for businesses and neighbors….

It's time for A Better Mass Ave.

John J. Aslanian
Tufts St.

Excited about improvements

We’re excited about the Mass Ave project.

The new design is really going to add to the mix of all that Arlington has to offer; parks and places to play, shops and restaurants, and it will emphasize person-to-person connection.

Hurray!

The Bengtson-Tietjen Family
Allen Street

We cannot wait

As a landscape architect who has worked on many public projects, the plan for this project is textbook! It’s just what landscape architects, urban designers, and architects want to see happen in a town that has Arlington’s potential.

We cannot wait for our new and improved “Main Street” with slower traffic, bike lanes, easier crossings of Mass Ave, more trees, benches and wider sidewalks to invite more people to get out on foot and bicycle to enjoy our community.

 We look forward to hopping on our bikes at Franklin St. and riding to the Capitol Theater to catch a movie and a bite to eat with our kids.

Let’s get this done while we have other people’s money (over 95% federal and state funds) to pay for it!

The Watt / MacDonald Family
Franklin Street

Supports all residents

As a longtime East Arlington resident I look forward to the new Mass Avenue improvements which will support all of our residents.

One of the things I love about our neighborhood is that we have a good mix of ages and family types.

I know that the project will improve the neighborhood for all of us.

Robin Dratch

Teel Street

A huge difference

My family and I walk up and down Mass Ave and cross it all the time, and we drive regularly to and from the Center. 

The redesign plan will make a huge difference for us—much safer crossings, calmer traffic, and a streetscape that will beautify our East Arlington neighborhood. 

Let’s do this now!

Alex Hoffinger
Waldo Road

Saver curb cuts, smoother sidewalks

I use a wheelchair, and would like to see the traffic on Mass Ave more controlled and the speeding eliminated. 

Too many times I have watched drivers stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk, only to have other drivers go by in the second lane. 

I'm looking forward to the improvements in wheelchair curb cuts and smooth sidewalks.  Next time you walk down Mass Ave, take notice of the poorly built and dangerous curb cuts, and the cracked sidewalks. 

I would also like to see the stores and restaurants on Mass Ave made wheelchair accessible.

John Thompson
Member,  Arlington Commission on Disabilities

A sense of safety

I love walking around East Arlington and I regularly shop at many of the shops along Mass Ave, though I would like to feel safer when crossing the street.

The proposed Mass Ave improvements to sidewalks, cross walks and traffic light timing could bring that sense of safety.

The changes will help draw me and others to that part of town as a destination, a place to go to spend time with friends, socialize, and get a bunch of errands done in a compact section of town.

Charlotte Milan
Bellevue Road

Peace of mind

I have been living in Arlington, very close to Mass Ave for the past 17 years.

I love East Arlington because my three children and I can walk and bike everywhere to meet our basic needs of school, high quality dining experiences, entertainment and social life.

What is missing is the peace of mind that our highly urban street life experience is safe and enjoyable.

One of my biggest fears for the past 17 years has been crossing Mass Ave with my children or now that my children are grown, them crossing it on their own. 

Pedestrian-friendly

I am looking forward to a better Mass Ave that provides a pedestrian-friendly environment and enhances the Capitol Square business district.

Julie Malik

Safer and more pleasant

We love living in East Arlington and everything the neighborhood has to offer, but we need a main street that meets the needs of the people who live here and not just those passing through on their way someplace else.

The Mass Ave project balances the needs of both commuters and residents and gets the street under control rather than allowing it to remain a free-for-all.

Let's make our neighborhood safer and more pleasant for everyone, whether they live here or are just visiting.

Michele Archambault & Todd Rowell
Waldo Road