Westfield Unveils Quimby Street Redesign Plan With Flexible Street Use

WESTFIELD, NJ — Updated design concepts for Quimby Street were presented on Tuesday.

The project's goal is to create a permanent pedestrian plaza and flexible downtown street that can still reopen to traffic between events.

Subscribe

The town previously awarded a contract to Arterial last August through a public RFP and RFQ process.

Mayor Jeremy Berman said the concepts are being guided by the Quimby Street Steering Committee, which includes Berman, Council Members Saunders and Venkataraman, Planning Board Chair Mike Ash, Downtown Westfield Corporation Executive Director Dan Togger and municipal staff.

James Robato, who identified himself as a partner and director of operations with Arterio, said the project area covers Quimby Street from Central Avenue to Elm Street.

He said Snickle Way is being handled later and an alley connection to North Avenue is outside the current scope because property ownership issues still need to be resolved.

Robato said the current design proposes a flush, curbless, one-way street with parallel parking, movable and semi-automated bollards, wider sidewalks, raised intersections and added crosswalks.

"Quinby Street is one of Westfield's defining public spaces and the heart of a vibrant, connected community. Its beautiful, flexible design adapts to the seasons and evolving needs of the town, creating a year-round destination where people are inspired to linger, explore, and celebrate community life," said Robato.

Parking was a central part of the discussion.

Robato said Quimby Street currently has 26 angled and parallel spaces, while the redesign would reduce Quimby parking to 16 spaces.

But he also said the town could gain spaces on Central Avenue and at nearby intersections, bringing the broader total to about 55 spaces, compared with 46 in the existing condition.

A key feature to offer flexibility is removable and semi-automatic bollards.

"I think that's a key that it's not for long stretches of time, but when an event is going to come in, the bollards can be pushed down or brought up. They could be moved, and the event can happen. And then, when the event is finished, the bollards can be put back in place so that it's acting like a street with parking and all those things," said Robato.

Town Administrator Jim Gildea noted that the flexible bollards give the Town the ability to use Open Quimby year-round or in the winter for other events.

"We've had hugely successful watch parties at the World Cup doesn't mean we can't have a Super Bowl party," said Gildea. "The programming downtown, which now can be expanded year-round."

Council members asked about speed limits, contractor availability, traffic flow, snow removal and whether the public would be able to review the plans.

Robato said the town has asked the county to allow Westfield to take over maintenance of a section of Central Avenue between East Broad Street and North Avenue, a move he said could allow more flexibility in the final design.

He said estimates will be provided as design work advances and the council is expected to consider funding, bid specifications and contract awards next year.

"Our goal is to finalize these plans and go out to bid for construction by year-end, with the project anticipated to be complete during the summer of 2027," Berman said.

To view the full presentation, visit westfieldnj.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10495/Quimby-Street-Presentation-81126.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.