Medford Launches Shared Streets Pilot Program

MEDFORD, MA — Medford is launching its first Shared Streets pilot program for summer 2020, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn announced Tuesday. The concept prioritizes public streets for pedestrians, bicyclists and lower-speed vehicles.

Shared Streets programs typically range from installing street furniture, planters, and other "barriers" along the public way, to posting signs deterring through traffic from utilizing a particular street. In Massachusetts, cities and towns have already begun Shared Streets programs to create more opportunities for outdoor activities while maintaining social distancing.

Medford is one of just 12 communities in Massachusetts receiving funding to support Shared Streets initiatives; the city's allotment of the state grant will directly support expanding outdoor dining options for restaurants, including the installation of jersey barriers, temporary ADA ramps, safety measures and equipment for beautification.

The City of Medford plans to launch its Shared Streets program as a pilot this summer by:

1. Providing additional outdoor dining options for restaurants by request. Restaurant owners who do not currently have permits to serve food or alcoholic beverages outdoors but would like to obtain a permit, and/or restaurants who do not have sufficient existing outdoor options to do so, can register with the City of Medford to determine potential opportunities for assistance. You can register at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/medford-reopen-reg, or contact the Office of Community Development at 781-393-2480 or ocd@medford-ma.gov.

1. On residential secondary streets, by resident request. If you and your neighbors are interested in seeing a Shared Streets pilot on your street, you can sign up at the following link. To be sure that the program will be helpful and not negatively impact your neighborhood, we will ask that you provide proof of support from most residents of your street. https://tinyurl.com/SharedStreetsMedford

In considering residents' requests, the city will rank proposals using criteria including but not limited to:

1. Streets within “environmental justice areas”
2. Public streets (vs. private ways)
3. Streets that have been reported as high-speed zones to the Traffic Commission
4. Ensure that requests are spread throughout the city and not clustered within a few specific areas

The program on residential streets would include signs at the entrance(s) to your street; no permanent or temporary furniture will be added to your street during the pilot program.

If you have questions, please contact Miranda Briseño in the Office of Community Development at ocd@medford-ma.gov.