New City Infrastructure Improvements

New City Planning Study Area Map Opens in new window

The New City Neighborhood comprehensive infrastructure improvements include: public water, sewer and drainage systems, sidewalk and walking surfaces, roadway surfaces, street trees, potential opportunities for green infrastructure, and redesign of public parks around the former Parsons Street School.

The final versions of the New City Infrastructure Master Plan (PDF) and the Appendices (PDF) are available for viewing/download. As well as the concept plans for Parks on Parsons Street and Lincoln Street (PDF) and Right-of-Way enhancements on Lincoln Street, Emerald Place, and Ferry Street (PDF). The next stages of the project will develop these conceptual plans into construction ready documents as funding allows. The focus area (red highlighted area in map right) is the neighborhood bounded by Ferry Street at the north, Parsons Street to the east, Everett Street to the south and Lower Mill Pond to the west. 

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CDBG 2022/2023 - New City Infrastructure Design Development

On August 25, 2023, the City was informed that we were awarded the 2022/2023 CDBG grant for design development of the infrastructure improvements to New City in the amount of $1,089,000!

On March 3, 2023, the City submitted the CDBG application to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development. We expect to hear back sometime in July 2023.

On February 9, 2023 at 5pm, the Easthampton Planning Department held a public hearing to discuss the proposed application to MA Department of Housing and Community Development for $1.35M in funding to support the development of final designs, construction documents, and cost estimates for project stemming from the New City Infrastructure Master Plan. 


MVP 2023 - Emerald Place Design

The City received grant funding in 2022 to conduct conceptual design and geotechnical analysis to address drainage-driven erosion along Emerald Place. Emerald Place sits at the top of slope above Lower Mill Pond, and drainage-driven erosion has caused a loss of vegetation and ongoing gullying which repeatedly undermines the slope; a holistic solution is needed to protect the road, drainage system, pond, and adjacent private properties. The project will assess slope conditions along Emerald Place and will engage the public and explore ideas suggested by residents for revamped traffic and pedestrian circulation on this street to create space for green infrastructure and expanded tree cover, buffer the slope and pond from roadway/parking activity, and improve resilience and safety. View this short video for a brief explanation of the project and proposed streetscape design improvements along Emerald Place.

Emerald Place Design Layout Workshop

Please join us on Saturday, 6/3/2023, from 10am to noon (rain date 6/4) for this workshop to help you visualize the proposed streetscape improvements along Emerald Place and to get your feedback on them. City staff and engineers from Fuss & O'Neill will be available to answer questions and take feedback. We will be meeting at pop-up tent near the intersection of Emerald Place and Lincoln Ave at 10am on Saturday, 6/3. If you are unable to attend, please feel free to send us an email with your thoughts.

Residential-Scale DIY Neighborhood Raingarden & Stormwater Consults & Tour

Please join us on Saturday, 5/20/2023, from 10am to noon (rain date 5/21) for this community event that will help you take the next step toward managing stormwater and increasing climate resilience in your own yard. Design professionals from Fuss & O'Neill will be available to answer questions and help you assess your property for potential home rain garden projects, water harvesting, conversion of lawns to more habitat friendly, low-maintenance landscapes, etc. We are encouraging improvements to how stormwater is managed on private properties in order to complement and leverage the green infrastructure improvements that will be made to the public stormwater and drainage infrastructure on in New City over the next few years. Sign up here for a free consult on your property. If you want to learn from the event but don't want a consult on your property, no need to signup -- just come to the meeting location on the 20th. We will be meeting at the Parsons Street Park at 10am on Saturday, 5/20. Light refreshments will be provided. 

If you are unable to attend, or would like to read more about managing stormwater, take a look at the Easthampton homeowner’s guide to DIY residential-scale resilient stormwater solutions (PDF). The guide is geared specifically toward practices that take advantage of the sandy soils that predominate in Easthampton and other parts of the Connecticut River Valley as a result of the landscape’s glacial history. The guide includes practical advice for planning, implementing, and resources/vendors to support home rain garden projects, water harvesting, conversion of lawns to more habitat friendly, low-maintenance landscapes, etc. The guide also includes activities for kids and families to assess the current resilience of their properties.


CDBG 2020 - New City Infrastructure Master Plan

The neighborhood planning study to comprehensively evaluate and plan for the infrastructure needs in the New City neighborhood was completed in 2022. The final versions of the New City Infrastructure Master Plan (PDF) and the Appendices (PDF) are available for viewing/download. As well as the concept plans for Parks on Parsons Street and Lincoln Street (PDF) and Right-of-Way enhancements on Lincoln Street, Emerald Place, and Ferry Street (PDF).

The next stage of the project will be to develop these conceptual plans into construction ready documents as funding allows. The focus area (red highlighted area in map right) is the neighborhood bounded by Ferry Street at the north, Parsons Street to the east, Everett Street to the south and Lower Mill Pond to the west. The study and conceptual plans include evaluations of and improvements to public water, sewer and drainage systems, sidewalk and walking surfaces, roadway surfaces, street trees, potential opportunities for green infrastructure, and redesign of public parks around the former Parsons Street School.  

CDBG FY 2020 Public Performance Hearing

On September 13, 2023, the City held a performance public hearing for the FY 2020 CDBG program. Click here to watch a recording of the hearing. View/download the slideshow (PDF). View/download the Summary Sheet (PDF). If you have any comments about the implementation of the CDBG program, please email your comments to Senior Planner Jamie Webb at jwebb@easthamptonma.gov.

Community Workshop #2

On Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 10 am to 12 noon (rain date Sunday, May, 22) we will be holding our second public workshop of the study area at the Parson Street Park (corner of Parsons & Federal Streets). Our consultant, Fuss & O'Neill, will be there to present their findings and to hear your feedback on the proposed concept plans for neighborhood improvements and infrastructure needs: Parks on Parsons Street and Lincoln Street (PDF) and Right-of-Way enhancements on Lincoln Street, Emerald Place, and Ferry Street (PDF). If you are unable to attend this meeting and would like to provide us with any comments on the proposed concepts, please e-mail us.

Sanitary Sewer Smoke Testing

On Tuesday, November 30th, from 7am to 5pm, Fuss & O'Neill will be conducting tests of the sanitary sewer in the New City Neighborhood using a non-toxic, non-staining, and odorless vapor that looks like smoke. Please do not be alarmed if you see "smoke" rising from building downspouts, vents, or drainage structures.

If "smoke" gets into your house, do not become alarmed. Open windows to allow ventilation, and note the location of where the it is coming from. Exit the building (in case it is a real fire) and notify the testing personnel in the area. The "smoke" will clear within a few minutes. For more information about smoke testing, please read this FAQ (PDF).

Community Workshop #1

On Saturday, November 20, 2021 from 12 noon to 2 pm (rain date Sunday, Nov. 21) we held a public workshop and walking tour of the study area to hear your priorities for the neighborhood improvements and infrastructure needs. The event was covered by the Gazette. Event flyer in English (PDF) and in Spanish (PDF). If you were unable to attend this meeting and would like to let us know about your priorities for neighborhood improvements and/or any infrastructure needs, please e-mail us your comments and/or take the brief survey (survey available until 12/20/2021):

Project Documents


Funded by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. A collaborative effort between the Easthampton Planning Department, Easthampton Department of Public Work, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and consulting design team Fuss & O'Neill.