Residents Decry Bike Lanes, Business Impact at Envision Public Hearing
May 14, 2025
• A nearly two-hour public hearing on the project at times grew heated, with dozens of speakers sharing their feedback.
In its first appearance before the Select Board, conceptual plans for the Envision Needham Center redevelopment plans drew a sizable crowd at Town Hall, with many attendees voicing upset over a potential loss of parking lots, increased traffic and introduction of bike lanes.
The plan, currently in a conceptual phase, would reconfigure a portion of Great Plain Avenue between Linden and Warren Streets, notably reducing travel to one lane in both directions. The road diet, in addition to widened sidewalks and other features, aim to boost safety, sustainability and beautification, according to Margot Spiller, principal at Apex Companies, the firm designing the project.
The Envision Needham Center Working Group formed in August to provide input on the design for the consultants and Department of Public Works. All three seats on the working group reserved for businesses have now been filled, though two were previously vacant for several months.
After intense backlash, the Select Board delayed implementing a project pilot by six months. It was set to start in July.
The postponement, however, did not deter more than 100 attendees from Powers Hall and more than 80 people who tuned in via Zoom. Of those who spoke during the public hearing, the vast majority offered critical commentary on aspects of the plan and its potential to negatively impact local businesses.
Julie Ben-David, owner of Needham Florist, said her inventory isn’t suitable for cyclists and fears the design proposals will put her out of business.
“People drive to my store, they do not pedal to my store to buy anything at my store, and the same is true for many of the stores in my block and throughout the center,” Ben-David said. “Nobody is pedalling home with a gallon of paint from Sherwin-Williams. Nobody is pedalling home with cases of beer or bottles of wine from any of our wine stores.”
Without a connected bus or subway system, biking through Needham doesn’t feel feasible, resident Lois Sockol said. Additional parking — perhaps in a parking garage — could address that problem, she added. The current plans reduce the 103 parking spaces down to 90.
A state grant for the project requires the town to install bike lanes, Department of Public Works Director Carys Lustig said, and any future state grants would carry the same condition.
Dedicated bike lanes would incentivize more bike travel through downtown, as it’s not safe to currently ride, several attendees stated.
Sam Rowbotham, who bikes to and from the Commuter Rail, suggested the bike lanes be directly adjacent to the car lanes — not separated, as presented in the schematic — for better turn access for cyclists. Jackie DeWolfe, a member of the Envision working group, said cars create a safety risk for her and her children when they bike to school.
Trips to Needham Center are often “purpose-based” but could be “destination-based,” Spiller said. By creating opportunities to “stop and linger” through added amenities, that could change, she added.
“While the center is consistently full of people, it does not necessarily feel people-centric,” Spiller said. “The narrow sidewalks, expansive pavement and long crossing distances resulting from four travel lanes all contribute to a downtown that feels dominated by vehicles.”
Resident David Rushka echoed those sentiments.
“The configuration of Great Plain Avenue attempts to move cars quickly through town, and that’s exactly the problem… It encourages people to drive through Needham, not stop in Needham, so let’s change that,” Rushka said. “Let’s invest in a downtown that invites people to explore and to stay. A vibrant pedestrian-friendly streetscape will make Needham more attractive, more competitive and more resilient.”
Other speakers spoke to the reduced travel lanes and potential traffic along side streets as a result. Alternative routes down those streets could result in tragedy, Fred Hartman warned.
“When a young child dies chasing a ball onto what used to be a quiet side street, how well will you sleep knowing their blood is on your hands?” he asked the board.
Joe Leghorn, a resident of 42 years, questioned how drivers will make left turns without blocking travel behind them. He called on the town to take “a more holistic approach” beyond just traffic studies.
While travel times are expected to increase, Lustig said she doesn’t believe times will double under the plan. Resident Paul Iantosca cast doubt on that assertion, calling it “simple math.” He made several suggestions, including adding more outdoor dining to the center.
“All of the residents here came out tonight to tell you how they feel,” Iantosca said. “I hope that you take what they said to heart and listen to them and don’t just try to shove it down their throats and say you think you know better because you don’t.”
The traffic signals and timing will be reengineered “to allow flow,” Toole Design landscape architect Karen Fitzgerald said.
Walking down Great Plain Avenue, the majority of businesses now display “not our vision” signs in their windows, signaling their opposition to the proposed plan. Tuesday, Eileen Baker, owner of Proud Mary, spoke about her own concerns.
“In this current economic climate of uncertainty we need your full support, not added obstacles,” Baker said. “While we agree there are improvements that need to be made, it should not be to the detriment of our livelihoods.”
At the conclusion of public comment, Select Board member Josh Levy pointed to residents’ frustration, as well as signed contracts tied to the project amounting to $873,000. He said the town is “putting the cart before the horse.” About $80,000 total has been spent, Chair Heidi Frail said earlier in the evening. Funding sources for the construction portion of the plan is still undetermined.
The working group plans to meet again on Monday, May 19.
