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Publication Housing Equity Analysis Final Report(1998)the Purpose of this study is to assess the impact of discrimination on rental housing opportunities in Massachusetts. We obtained information on the numbers and types of housing discrimination cases filed in Massachusetts with federal, state, and private non-profit fair housing organizations. A total of 3,431 complaints were reported in Massachusetts from the period of 1990 to April 1998. Our findings indicate clearly, that rental housing discrimination exist in the state of Massachusetts. One of the major problems that we found is the fact that most instances of housing discrimination do not get reported. Based on our work, we are recommending that future studies focus on creating an integrated system of information retrieval on rental housing discrimination in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We would like to thank our client, John Klenakis for giving us the opportunity of participating in this study, and our professors, Ellen J. Pader and John R. Mullin for their support and cooperation during the course of our research. Finally, we would like to thank MCAD, HUD, and HDP for providing us with all the data that we used in this report.Publication University of Massachusetts Housing Study The Economic Impact Component(1998)The Economic Impact Component of the University of Massachusetts Housing study aims to answer two research questions: 1. What are the direct and indirect economic impacts of the housing industry in Massachusetts? 2. What is the significance of housing as a factor in business location decisions? The first, and primary, question was addressed through a quantitative assessment using the "Local Impact of Homebuilding Model" calibrated by the National Association of Home Builders, The second research question was addressed through a qualitative assessment of area development and site selection literature and policy analyses dealing with business location criteria.Publication Annual Report Grant Period July 1, 1997 through June 30, 1998(1998)Center for Economic Development's Annual Report for the Grant Period of July 1, 1997 through June 30, 1998. The report includes a description of the Center for Economic Development, Institutional Issues and Successes, and Target Areas for the program. Studies and Community Based Projects, Conferences/Work Meetings, Technical Assistance to State and Regional Agencies, and their Dissemination are all discussed as well. Finally, the report includes Results, Assessment, and Evaluation of the programs work and progress.Publication The Economic Impact of Human Services Agencies on the Pioneer Valley Region: An Analysis of Expenditures and Jobs(1998)The Center for Economic Development, working in concert with the Human Service Forum, assessed the expenditure and job multipliers for the human service industry on the Pioneer Valley region. The study consists of three parts: 1) detailed assessments of expenditures for six human service providers that helped shape a survey of jobs and expenditures; 2) a follow-up survey was sent to 110 agencies with a response rate of 53% and ; 3) the subsequent application of job multipliers, developed by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, to the information in order to assess the total impact of jobs in the human service industry on the local economy.Publication Economic Sustainability Plan for Adams, Massachusetts: Ten Year Projection Plan(1998)The client for this project is James Leitch, The town administrator for the Town of Adams. In addition, we are working in close conjunction with the Center for Economic Technology (C.E.T.). The purpose of this project is to assist Adams in the creation of a ten year economic action plan, which is only one-third of Adams proposed Comprehensive Sustainability Plan. The Comprehensive Plan is to be completed by the merger of three plans: the 1997 University of Massachusetts Landscape Architecture Studio Report on environmental elements within the Town, our 1998 Economic Action Plan, and a Social Plan, to be developed by the Town. The projects intent is to create an updated business inventory, to inventory and analyze existing conditions in Adams as well as the region, and to make recommendations on short (Less than one year), medium (one to five years), and long (five to ten years) terms. Our inventory of the existing conditions includes over 16 economic activities in the town of Adams and the region. The final step of our project is to assign sustainable characteristics to each of the economic activities found in the existing conditions and recommendations inventory. The characteristics are the key components which connect our report with the Comprehensive Sustainability Report. The end products of this report are three charts detailing the current state of the town and the region, recommendations for ten-year action steps, and sustainable characteristics for each economic activity. In addition, we are providing the town with an updated business inventory of all existing businesses in Adams and recommendations on recruitment of compatible businesses.Publication Publications from the Mastering Mills Symposium(2016-01-01)Through the Center for Economic Development's research, consulting and technical assistance efforts, it has become increasingly apparent that increased knowledge concerning the revitalization of old mills and mill communities is necessary. The problem is particularly acute in smaller communities and in areas of slow growth, where problems and solutions are addressed differently than larger towns near urban locations. The purpose of this symposium was to gain an understanding of the methods that can protect and enhance mill character and the economic viability in mill communities. It included several presentations, panel discussions, and opportunities for audience involvement. Presentations and any supplemental materials were provided by our session speakers for future reference.Publication Amherst Research Park a Study of Design Standards for Amherst, Massachusetts(1995)The focus of this studio project was the potential development of a professional research park in Amherst, Massachusetts. The project consisted of two distinct phases: data collection and analysis of physical conditions of the site, and data collection and analysis for the purpose of creating design guidelines that could be applied to future development at the site and to other research parks in town. The client for this project was the town of Amherst.Publication Shaping Our Common Destiny Town-Gown Relations and the Physical Implications of Economic Development(1995)A conference was purposed entitled “Shaping Our Common Destiny: Town/Gown Relations and Physical Implication of Economic Development,” in the town of Amherst, Massachusetts. The framework for the conference will focus on the mutual interest, concerns, and responsibilities of the community officials and the university officials. The purpose of this survey was two-fold: to determine interest among university and town planners in participating in the proposed conference and to assess the nature of current relationships between the two entities.Publication Georgetown Planning Analysis and Alternatives Georgetown Master Plan Commitee(1995)This report is a study that prepares and presents background reports and preliminary growth management scenarios for the town of Georgetown, Massachusetts for the Georgetown Master Plan Committee. Georgetown’s character is described in terms of historical, cultural, and natural resources.Publication Chicopee River Watershed Study Chicopee, Massachusetts(1996)The goal of this studio is to provide our client with an assessment of conditions and attitudes within the Chicopee Watershed, which is located in Chicopee, Massachusetts. This information can then be used by the client in its effort to increase participation in watershed protection. To achieve this goal, the studio has set out four objectives. The first is to give an overview of land uses, social and economic trends in the watershed. The second is to review existing town regulations and compare them with model bylaws and regulations. The third is to gather opinions from the various people in the watershed who use or impact local water resources.Publication Land Use Laws and Policies Route 146 Corridor Overlay Districts(1990)The reason for this report was to draft a bylaw for the town of Millbury, Massachusetts. The bylaw would address a four mile stretch of road that connects Route 146 to the Massachusetts Turnpike.Publication Evaluating Main Street an Economic and spatial Analysis Holden, Massachusetts(1996)The purpose of this study was to assist the town of Holden in assessing further development potential along a 1.6 mile stretch of Main Street. Holden’s History is similar to many small New England towns, as it has evolved into a suburb in the post WWII period. The socioeconomic analysis shows a growing community where a large proportion of the residents are professionals and financially well off. There is a strong sense of community and the citizens are concerned about the future of their town.Publication Space Inventory and Preliminary Marketing Recommendations(1995)This report was designed to assist further economic development of Gloucester, Massachusetts’s working waterfront and downtown commercial district. This market and economic development plan was meant to provide the Gloucester Community Development Office with some key ingredients for the success of their overall economic revitalization plan that was being prepared for the entire city.Publication The Result of the Visual Preference Survey for the Town of Franklin, Massachusetts(1995)On June 17, 1995 the town of Franklin, Massachusetts commissioned a community forum to articulate a vision for the future of their town. During a four hour period the forum elicited input from more than fifty concerned citizens, business leaders and town officials. The Center for Economic Development (CED) acted as the facilitators. The report produced created a Vision Statement and illustrated the results of the Visual Preference exercise and survey held during the forum.Publication Reconnecting Downtown Springfield to the Connecticut River a Visionary Proposal for an Urban Ecology Park(1995)Professor Joseph Volpe in the fall of 1994 proposed to graduate student Frank Sleegers a Master project on a visionary design for the riverfront in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts. Volpe directed the project and Chaired Sleegers’ Master Committee. This Proposal is an expanded edition of Sleegers’ Master Project, Back to the River – A Visionary Design to Recapture the Riverfront in Downtown Springfield, MA.Publication Pittsfield Conference Center a Preliminary Feasibility Review(1995)The purpose of this report is to determine the feasibility of a conference center/business meeting center and hotel concept to be located in downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The key word in the above is “concept.” The study team, via interviews, examination of industry data and review of city plans, developed a snapshot at a moment in time.Publication Build Out Analysis and Fiscal Assessment for Mansfield, Massachusetts(1995)This report is a summary of the ideas and strategies that emerged as a result of the Charrette held in Mansfield, Massachusetts on February 18, 1995. Charrette participants were a broad representation of interests ranging from public officials and various public/private associations to merchants and residents.Publication Downtown Master Plan for Lee, Massachusetts(1995)The graduate studio in Regional Planning at the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst had contracted with The Lee Economic Action for the Downtown to prepare a Master Plan for the downtown area of Lee, Massachusetts. The goals of this Master Plan were to preserve and enhance the character of the Downtown, and to prepare the downtown for change.Publication Marketing the Rutland Heights State Hospital Rutland, Massachusetts(1995)This report analyzed the characteristics of the Rutland Heights State Hospital site, town of Rutland, and the urban region of Worcester, Massachusetts. An assessment of the proposed re-use options provided in the State Master Plan was conducted. Finally, site management and marketing strategies were identified.Publication Greater Franklin Area Trends Analysis Report(1995)The Greater Franklin Area, located in south-central Massachusetts, is composed of nine communities along Route 495. The region was experiencing unprecedented growth pressures. In response, the United Chamber of Commerce had organized a Regional Community Visioning Process. This Trends Analysis Report was one product from Phase I of the process.