“What’s really special about Taunton is that we are a city with a really small-town feel,” says Mayor Shaunna O’Connell.“It’s a very close-knit community with rural areas and beautiful recreational spots yet has a city center and services that meet the needs of residents.” This duality forms the foundation of Taunton’s strategic approach to growth. While many midsized cities struggle to maintain their original character during expansion, Taunton’s leadership has deliberately preserved its historical elements while developing modern infrastructure. The city exemplifies the growing trend of “15-minute cities,” urban areas where most daily necessities can be accessed within a short walk or bike ride. The city’s approach appears to be working.According to Jay Pateakos, Director, Economic and Community Development, businesses and developers are increasingly viewing Taunton as a prime location. “We’re attracting the big names now,” he notes. “Taunton is really being seen as an up-and-coming city and the place to be,” adds Mayor O’Connell.“We have people knocking on our door constantly looking to bring their business here, to bring their housing development here, and to bring their families here.” This influx of interest comes as Taunton maintains strong fiscal health, having secured AA+ bond rating—a distinction Mayor O’Connell points out is rare among Massachusetts gateway cities. This financial stability has enabled the aggressive infrastructure and quality-of-life investments that are reshaping the city’s profile and attracting new residents and businesses. DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE Taunton’s downtown revitalization exemplifies the nationwide trend of smaller cities reinventing their urban cores to combat the “donut effect” of hollowed city centers. “In the downtown, we have been focused on making Taunton a destination in this region,” Mayor O’Connell explains. “We’ve done strategic and smart planning to bring in different types of restaurants, retail stores, and housing. This creates foot traffic and makes downtown a place where people want to be.” 205 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 05 TAUNTON, MA
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