Gateways

In this episode of Gateways, Tracy takes us to Haverhill where we hear how a farmers market has transformed personal and public health through food, fun, and community connections. Market founder Jeff Grassie and Nate Robertson of the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission walk us through the market and describe how they turned one produce vendor into a weekly downtown marketplace in an under-used parking deck just a 10-minute walk from the Haverhill train station. We also hear from market-goers and meet Christine Fusco of Anna Jacques Hospital, who shares how the hospital's sponsorship of the farmers market is helping fight substance use disorders and the opioid epidemic.

This week Tracy digs into the health and human services (HHS) transportation operation at the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART). MART’s HHS brokerage delivers more than 6 million rides to medical and healthcare appointments for residents in 70% of Massachusetts. How is the Fitchburg-based transit authority able to provide such crucial services across most of the Commonwealth?

Tracy talks to MART’s administrator Mohammad Khan, deputy administrator Bruno Fisher, and communications and grants director Bonnie Mahoney as well as Himanshu Bhatnagar, CEO of HB Software Solutions and MART subcontractor. They and four others explain how MART’s unique model has cut HHS transit operating costs in half for six state agencies while also spurring entrepreneurship and economic development across the state.

FY 18 Human Service Transportation Program Overview: https://2gaiae1lifzt2tsfgr2vil6c-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/FY18-HST-Program-Overview.pdf

MART Area and HST Statewide Brokerage Map: https://2gaiae1lifzt2tsfgr2vil6c-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/MART-Area-and-HST-Statewide-Brokerage-Map.pdf

The last installment in our local education accountability series begins with reflections from Ben and Juana on the journey. Then Jim Caradonio, former superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools, visits MassINC to share lessons from his long career in public education. And we travel up to Lowell to hear about parent-led efforts to reinvigorate school councils.

On this episode of Gateways, Tracy sits down with Susan Connelly, Director of Community Assistance and Strategic Partnerships at the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), a nonprofit organization that supports and finances affordable housing.

First, Susan addresses how intentional, community- and regionally-minded planning can alleviate some of the challenges brought up by Amy Dain's recent report on the State of Zoning for Multi-Family Housing in the Greater Boston Area that exist in our Gateway Cities.

Next, Susan elaborates on MHP's Technical Assistance Program, which provides assistance tailored to every municipalities' needs by weaving together local, state, and third-party resources. Like transit-oriented development policy, questions of community engagement, equity, and housing quality remain always on the forefront of MHP's agenda. Tracy and Susan discuss the very real and specific services that MHP provides to help Gateway Cities secure the small wins that make a big difference to the people and communities of Massachusetts.

Episode 22: Distilling local accountability lessons from near and far by Gateways Podcast

In this episode of Gateways, Tracy takes a walking tour in the heart of Fall River with private developer Alan Macomber and the city’s executive director of community development, Mike Dion. Our guests explain Fall River's plans to connect downtown to its vibrant waterfront while creating more market rate housing, artist space, mixed-use developments, and more. Next, Mayor Jasiel Correia joins the tour and highlights the opportunity to leverage the city’s proximity to Providence and Boston for cultural and economic development through tourism and manufacturing. Tracy also learns how Alexandra's, a global leader in designer formal wear, is reshaping the South Main Street district. The tour ends at Macomber's development, Commonwealth Landing, to hear about the Fall River of the future.

Ben Forman and Juana Matias of MassINC continue their deep dive into early college programs, highlighting the voices of Leominster students and Commissioner of Higher Education Carlos Santiago.

This episode is the first in a series of three exploring the unique power of Early College pathways. Host Ben Forman chats with Joel Vargas, a national leader in the Early College movement at Jobs for the Future. Then, Ben visits Salem to talk with a group of educators about their collaborative effort to launch an Early College. We also get to hear from a junior at Salem High, who gives us the download on what it’s like to be an Early College student.

This week on Gateways, Tracy visits with Fall River business owner, Zach Leone of Alexandra's Boutique. They discuss the city's future and potential opportunities for transit-oriented development, emphasizing that economic development matters just as much as real estate development in transformative TOD.

In this episode of Gateways, Tracy takes a tour of MetroWest Regional Transit Authority headquarters in Framingham. Led by MWRTA Administrator Ed Carr and 495/MetroWest Partnership Executive Director Paul Matthews, Tracy learns about all the MWRTA has been doing to revitalize parts of the city, protect pedestrians, maximize energy efficiency, and more.