Washington Street Resilience Framework Plan

Remain has supported the Town of Nantucket’s efforts, in partnership with the Nantucket Land Bank, to prepare for the impacts of sea level rise on Nantucket’s critical transportation corridor along Washington Street. A grant provided to the Town funded a significant design and planning effort developed by SCAPE and the Woods Hole Group that will bring resilience, storm water management, increased protection of critical infrastructure and improved multimodal transportation opportunities to the corner of Washington and Francis Streets.

 

The design concept reimagines the vulnerable road and coastal edge of the corner of Washington Street and Francis Street with nature-based solutions that aim to reduce the risks of flooding along the critical roadway into and out of downtown by implementing flexible solutions that will absorb, buffer and embrace water. In addition to reducing risk to critical infrastructure, the project will increase access to the waterfront and cultivate the resilience of ecosystems.

 

According to the executive summary, the Resilience Framework Plan for Washington Street creates an accessible waterfront park welcoming Nantucket’s residents and visitors of all ages and abilities. Coastal flood risk reduction and stormwater management are integrally linked in the design, with parcels waterside of Washington Street buffering rising tides and inland parcels managing stormwater to mitigate localized flooding. A main feature of the park is a continuous 12’ wide accessible multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists. The path provides a safe and scenic connection along Washington Street, stretching from Commercial Wharf to Francis Street Beach and beyond towards the Goose Pond Path at Consue Spring. The path also integrates a flood protection feature, which is seamlessly embedded in a landscape of coastal dunes. The sinuous path includes multiple overlooks oriented to views of the Harbor and access points to the water’s edge. Inland of Washington Street, stormwater parks and parking lots slow and treat stormwater while offering moments of respite along the corridor.

 

Remain has been a partner in the effort since it was initiated in 2021, funding the Town’s portion of the first phase of design. Remain will continue to play a role as a thought partner in the long-term planning and design project and provide support for community engagement and awareness efforts.

 

All renderings are courtesy of SCAPE and Woods Hole Group. More information about the Francis Street Beach Improvement Project can be viewed here.