At its April 19 public meeting, the Department had solicited community feedback on a list of proposed goals.  In response to this feedback, the Department returned at the May 31 meeting with a revised set of goals. 

The discussion groups at the April 19 meeting voiced a variety of priorities, generally supporting the list of proposed goals. There was a consensus among the groups that off-street parking, and its appearance from the street, is an important consideration, but was not seen as an independent goal. This item was removed from the list of goals. Several discussion groups also emphasized that while housing or mixed use may occur in parts of the corridor, other areas should be maintained for continued industrial and commercial activity. An item articulating this goal was added to the list to reflect this emphasis.

The prospect of redevelopment of sites on the canal creates an opportunity to achieve public access at the canal's edge.  At the April 19 meeting, the Department had asked community members to choose one word that they felt reflected the right character for future open space at the canal's edge. There were a wide variety of responses reflecting the diversity of the canal's geography and the community's varied interests. To reflect the diversity of responses, the Department believes that future open spaces should create a multi-faceted character within a varied landscape.