This mixed-use approach aligns with contemporary urban planning principles that recognize the interdependence of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces in creating vibrant downtowns. The strategy has already yielded tangible results with five new restaurants, a bookstore, and a theater recently opened or soon to debut in the downtown area. The 2020 completion of Taunton’s new City Hall represents another significant investment in the downtown revitalization. Unlike many municipal buildings that prioritize function over form,Taunton’s City Hall was designed to be a visual anchor for the downtown area. “It’s a beautiful building outside. We worked hard to preserve the historical features and ensure it fit with the fabric of downtown,” says Mayor O’Connell. “On the side of City Hall there is what we call the City Walk, with large historical pictures of Taunton that tell the history and show different stages throughout our beginning.” This attention to aesthetic details and public spaces highlights a sophisticated understanding of how civic architecture contributes to community identity. The City Hall project includes open-air spaces where residents can relax and enjoy the downtown atmosphere, a design choice that acknowledges the growing importance of “third places” in urban environments and supports the broader goal of increasing downtown foot traffic. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The transformation of Taunton’s former Galleria Mall site into the Silver City Business Park represents a strategic pivot from traditional retail to high-value industrial and distribution spaces. “When the mall closed, as is happening across the country, we wanted to ensure we attracted developers that would add to Taunton through employment and tax base while being good partners,” says Mayor O’Connell. The development, managed by the Atlanta-based Portman Group, involves an ambitious three-building complex totaling over a million square feet. “The first building has completed 250,000 square feet of space,” Pateakos explains.“We’ve had meetings with 206 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 05
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