Palmer residents push for downtown train station location
Dec 16, 2024
PALMER, Mass. (WWLP) - MassDOT held a presentation in Palmer to put a proposed train station there.
They are still in the process of selecting a location, but it's not without public input, as some residents want to make sure it's in downtown Palmer.
The Palmer community is hoping to reap the economic benefits of an East-West Rail. Part of the Compass Rail initiative---the project is still on 'track' to connect the commonwealth. "A train stop here would be a big thing for the business district," adds Ben Hood with the Palmer Redevelopment Authority.
MassDOT officials shared the latest updates on the designs and locations of a proposed station in Palmer to a packed room of residents.
East-West Rail Director Andrew Koziol told 22News, "The service itself has indirect benefits for economic development and supporting different goals for the community."
There are six potential sites for the station:
East of Crane Hill Road
Palmer Department of Public Works Lot
North of Palmer Yard
and Boston Road
However, concerns were heard during the meeting over the sites not being located directly downtown---and that a high-level platform design would become a safety issue. Some residents proposed the restoration of the historic Union Station.
Palmer-Public-Meeting-1-Presentation-2024-12-16Download
Scarlett Lamoth's family currently operates a restaurant in that former railroad station---she showed us her coalition's version of how it would be. "What MassDOT is looking to do is just to check off a box---we are here because we care about our community and our redevelopment," says Lamoth.
MassDOT's presentation was cut short in response to the pushback of the sites, but residents were still able to engage with officials about the proposed designs and locations, and hope their feedback will be heard.
Hood adds, "Some of us on the committee don't want it at the fare off-sites, we want it at the closest possible place to downtown."
If you missed Monday night's meeting more will be scheduled, and you can send your feedback to Mass DOT's director of the East-West Rail.
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