Dhiru Thadani, of Ayer Saint Gross, has worked with Long Beach since October 2005 and has returned 8 times, and has been partially paid for his work.

Thadani has marshaled 240 residents as members of the 15 separate community groups. These committees are run by the residents and focus on different topics, such as recreation, school districts, traffic, university, and smart codes. Since the inception of these committees all members were given buttons advertising their involvement in the groups, since then more community members have offered their help.

The plan breaks up east west blocks with pedestrian ways instead of roads, and pulls development back from the marina to create a waterfront park in FEMA’s designated velocity zone, with condo towers, of whatever height deemed appropriate by the town, lining the new park, overlooking the marina. The plan proposes land swapping existing green space with the university and a local church, moving them further from the coast, and once again out of the velocity zone. As far as density and commercial development, the plan proposes extending the main st., Jeff Davis, to a new civic square near the existing post office.

Dhiru has taken Todd Zimmerman back with his team to talk about the diversity of housing possibilities beyond the condos and single family homes that dominate the town currently. He has also brought Jackie Benson down to talk to the community about marketing off the town and it’s proposed expanded marina.
He was going to hold a workshop on the 17th of June with 8 consultants to answer questions, and discuss the modified plans distributed to the towns citizens.

Long Beach Final Report (PDF)

Post any new information on charrettes, projects, and progress here.

Last edited by jp.   Page last modified on July 27, 2006