Building a Better Block

How Ferry Street Could be the Start of a Stronger Haven

The Little Block that Could

By most traditional measures, Ferry Street probably doesn’t rank too high on our town’s list of priorities. A lot of people who live in the neighborhood may not even know the name of this unassuming little street, which I assume (help me out Chris Richard) was named for the ferry to New Bedford that used to run from here.

In my daily travels around town, I’ve become increasingly convinced that Ferry Street could be the start of something truly beautiful and revolutionary for our little town. The spark is the newly opened Ice Cream Cottage, which brings a lot of foot traffic to this block. This tiny locally-run business is what we all needed here in the Center— a legit, open-almost-all-the-time place to walk or bike to. Its location at one end of the bike path also makes it a go-to destination for everyone starting or ending their ride.

A Place to Go

The Ice Cream Cottage will soon be joined by two new restaurants, in the adjacent spaces formerly occupied by Margaret’s and Elizabeth’s. The one replacing Elizabeths is being opened by the owner of the Baker in New Bedford and will be a dinner/cocktail spot. I hear the other restaurant will focus more on the breakfast/lunch crowd. Three appealing destinations on one small block (with the also excellent Euro Ship Store close by).

Here’s the spark I see: with the Ice Cream Cottage open, people in the area have one more good place to walk or bike to. Thanks to the bike path, the number of people who can walk or bike here is multiplied threefold. The other night our block of neighbors all trekked up to the Cottage.

We’re gonna need a bigger bench

Ferry Street is one-way and without much car traffic. The people who get ice cream linger on the sidewalk and naturally take over space in the street. This is a good sign! It means we have a place that more people want to be. Also, because there are people hanging out on the sidewalk and in the street, the cars naturally slow down as they drive by. No need for expensive blinking lights, beg buttons, and ugly signs on this block.

Fan the Embers

Here’s are some things the town (in partnership with the businesses on this block) could try next if we wanted to feed the spark here:

• eliminate the parking along the north side of the block (only a few spaces and no one parks here anyway, given there’s a free lot on the other side of the street)

• use those parking spaces to create temporary parklets, with places for people to sit and eat, and possibly planters with hardy, low-maintenance plants

• string decorative lights above the street, from the buildings to the trees on the far side

• open up the small alley between the ice cream cottage and the restaurant next door, allowing for another place for people to hang out

Here’s an example of the general vibe I’m describing:

Source: Ryan Collerd, University City District

A few tweaks like this and “I’m going to the Ice Cream Cottage” becomes “I’m going to Ferry Street.” With more pedestrians, adjacent business spaces become more viable and valuable. The age-old walkable downtown flywheel begins to turn again, just as it did when these historic buildings were first built. Small outlays on the part of the town (perhaps sharing costs with local businesses) for planters, tables, and lights become an investment that snowballs into steady increases in the value of what we know is the most valuable land in the town. This increase in value means an increase in long-term revenue for the town, without the added liability that comes with building new infrastructure for greenfield development further out of the center.

Nay! We Love Parking! People Stink! Boo!

I’m sure there will be some challenges with permitting and zoning to make this happen. Likewise, I’m sure there would be some NIMBY objections to having more people out, given that our downtown has been sleepy for so long that people in this area might understandably think they live in some Dartmouth exurb. But I have faith that our town leadership would not be deterred by the (often bad faith) objections of the few. As leaders, their job is to make decisions for the long-term benefit of the town. There is perhaps no more proven strategy for creating municipal financial sustainability than allowing for a walkable downtown.

Do the Evolution

The key? Start as small and cheaply as possible so we can start now! If allowing for any of this on a long-term basis is too politically onerous at the moment, make it a temporary summer thing. If planters are too expensive, don’t add them yet. There are jersey barriers from COVID seating behind Elizabeth’s— just move those out and you’ll have the start of the space I’m describing. Make tiny changes and see what happens— then build from there.

Some of my neighbors have suggested closing certain streets off to car traffic entirely. While I love a good pedestrian-only street (they’re some of the most pleasant and economically productive places in the world), I don’t think we’re there yet anywhere in town. If we close off a street now, without enough reasons for people to be there, we risk angering motorists, some businesses, and residents without strong support on the other side. Allowing for cars doesn’t ruin a street— it’s only when the cars dominate the street that the environment ceases to be a platform for building wealth (and ceases to be safe). Cars at 20 mph are cool by me— in fact, I’d take a street filled with people where the occasional antique car or VW Beetle cruised by over an empty pedestrian mall any day!

Other Fairhaven readers can probably think of other sparks they see around town-- I’d love to hear about them and I’d be happy to compile them for the Planning and Economic Development Committees to hear about. StrongHaven readers in other towns— shout out to Mississippi and Alabama!— what sparks do you see out there that could be the start of something? Where is there a restaurant that could use a few benches? A lemonade stand that could be the start of a kid vendor market (please let that be a thing!)? A coffee shop that could use a better crosswalk to get to it? The thriving streets our towns need are all around us— with small actions and a little trial and error, we can unlock their energy and build a thriving ecosystem that benefits all of us.