[NOTE: Ms. Doherty combined question one, question two, and question three and provided this response to them.]
Most people would like to see the square be the hub of Medford, as it once was. Two things helped cause the downfall of Medford Square: removing Medford High in 1971, which removed over 2500 students, teachers, staff/consumers from the square and the advent of indoor malls. There was an attempt, with the pedestrian mall, to return customers to the square. It resulted in empty store fronts (sixteen at one point). So the real issue now is how to return people to the square.
The August 2005 Sasaki Medford Square Master Plan is very similar to the one issued in the early eighties. At that time, a group representing the city visited Mystic,Conn. to see how they integrated the waterfront with the town. Although the bigger things could not be implemented at that time, a lot of smaller things were suggested and eventually over the next several years (mostly during the late eighties) under different administrations, they happened. Stricter sign and zoning ordinances were passed, (not without a lot of resistance), storefront facade programs were offered, billboards were removed, ( a big improvement ), streetlights were replaced, banners added, trash containers were placed in the square, and landscapers agreed to public-private partnerships to take care of the square.
Eventually the city was able to do some of the "bigger" things. The disastrous pedestrian mall was reopened and the streets were repaved. At the same time, Friends of Chevalier were seeking grants and funds to rehabilitate the auditorium. These things set the stage for further advancement for the square.
The city now realizes that the more attractive a face the square puts on the more attractive it is to people and hence to businesses. Medford has had its initial facelift. It is now time to move to the "bigger" things that were not possible a few years ago. The city can move to open up the riverfront, fine tune the liquor regulations, continue to encourage the activities of Chevalier, Springstep, Medford Historical Society, Medford Arts Center, the Royall House Association, etc., and perfect zoning regulations to encourage "smart growth".
Also, the City needs to build on the good relationship it currently has with Tufts University. It needs to encourage more projects like the new "Forever Free" Exhibit at the Tisch Library at Tufts which the Medford Historical Society had an active part in.
Several years ago the Medford Theatre on Salem Street closed down. It would be great if that space in the back of the old Chinese restaurant was available for rehabilitation akin to the old movie houses in Arlington and Lexington. Also, the 1980's plan recommended a shipbuilding museum. Although private funds would need to be raised, it is time to reconsider those plans which could incorporate the incredible civil war pictures the Historical Society owns. The annual Arts Council Festival used to attract crowds to the banks of the Mystic. It can once again with the proper backing of the City and the Chamber of Commerce.
Although it sounds elementary, the city needs to ENFORCE traffic and parking regulations and keep the square clean. Also, the City Council must grant appeals from the sign ordinances RARELY. Furthermore, the Council should use its discretion in allowing certain types of businesses in the square. A tattoo parlor may have its place in Medford but certainly not in the square.
Also, Medford has a distinct advantage of being in the top 1%, nationally, of cities with buildings listed in the National Historic Register. Only Boston and Cambridge are ahead of us. This advantage should be the backbone of the revival.
Finally, in ten years, I would like to see the change be to a bustling, interesting, mixed use square where people could live in and around the square, shop at various types of places, eat and drink in a variety of restaurants, bakeries and bistros and have their choice of any number of cultural events and activities.
