The goals of this design and visioning process were:

• to identify a common vision for the future of South Hadley Falls;

• to identify opportunities for future growth, change and development that are appropriate to the vision; and

• to consider creative visions to identify alternative outcomes.

Spread over a period of months from September 2011 through February 2012, the process was composed of four activities:

1. an initial information gathering phase of documentary research into the history, background and demographics of the community;

2. a visit to and discussions with residents;

3. a community design charrette to discuss potential design options; and

4. a final community forum to discuss revised design options and engage with a panel of economic development experts.

The initial information gathering phase of the process occurred in September and October of 2011. During the latter part of October and early November, the team also visited the community and interviewed residents about their community.

To begin the public discussion process, a team of landscape architecture, architecture and regional planning graduate students from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in partnership with the Town of South Hadley, held a public charrette in the town hall auditorium. The goal of this planning charrette was to identify the characteristics of South Hadley Falls, and the conditions that would create a stronger sense of place, and desire among the residents of the Falls and the rest of the Town to live, work and visit the area. Town stakeholders including residents, business owners, town officials in South Hadley and South Hadley Falls participated in this phase of an ongoing dialogue and visioning process.