Public hearing set for proposed traffic revision on Quincy’s B Street

QUINCY — Quincy City Council members will hold a public hearing during the May 3 meeting to solicit public comment on a proposal to turn one block of B Street Southeast into a one-way street. The traffic revision would be a permanent change.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at Quincy City Hall, 104 B St. SW. that Tuesday.

Chamber director Cari Mathews said it would be easier to set up for events, from the farmers market to Chamber events to the Better Block parties, if the street was one way.

“This is most desirable for future events held on B Street and has been agreed upon by the businesses that are permanently located on this specific block,” wrote farmers market manager Chelsea Putnam in a letter to the city requesting the change.

The revision would affect the block of B Street between Central Avenue South and First Street Southeast. The street would be one-way going east; traffic would enter from Central Avenue and exit onto First Street.

The change was requested by the B Street Market Committee and the Quincy Valley Chamber of Commerce. In addition, a traffic revision on B Street is part of the city’s downtown revitalization plan.

The Central-to-First block of B Street was also the location for the first event sponsored by the Quincy Better Block organization in summer 2021. Additional Better Block parties are scheduled for summer 2022.

The B Street Market was formerly the Quincy Farmers Market, changing its name after making the move to B Street in 2021. The farmers market also plans to expand its summer 2022 schedule.

City officials included a map of a possible new street layout, which would add more room for tables and seating along each side of the street. As part of that possible layout, parking would be moved to the north side of B Street.