WINNERS OF NEW BEDFORD STATION DESIGN COMPETITION ANNOUNCED

New Bedford – The City of New Bedford and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation today announced the winners of a contest to provide design ideas for the proposed Whale’s Tooth Intermodal Station and opened a display of the entries at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Mayor Scott W. Lang and South Coast Rail Director Kristina Egan presented the awards on behalf of a panel of judges.

As part of the South Coast Rail project, MassDOT and the MBTA are partnering with communities that will host new rail stations to plan the area and design the rail facilities to catalyze economic development while enhancing community character. New Bedford will host two stations, one at Whale’s Tooth and one at King’s Highway.

"As one of the largest stations on the planned South Coast Rail line, Whale's Tooth station is expected to generate millions of dollars in new economic development,” said Transportation Secretary Jeffrey B. Mullan, “The Patrick-Murray Administration is happy to work with the city and its residents to create a great place for people and for transportation.”

“The MBTA is seeking innovative ideas for the Whale’s Tooth Station,” said Rich Davey, General Manager of the MBTA and Transit and Rail Administrator for MassDOT. “The residents of the South Coast – students, residents, and designers – brought many creative ideas to the contest.”

“The City is looking for inspirational designs that are consistent with the history, character, and feel of New Bedford,” said Mayor Lang. “We want the station to incorporate green building features and reflect the character of nearby neighborhoods, as well as the city’s plans for the future. We have vibrant art and education communities in the region and want to gather ideas from these talented groups of people.”

The committee of judges included Mayor Lang, Ms. Egan, Jill Maclean and Anne Louro from the City of New Bedford, and Edgar Adams, Roger Williams University. Two entries received awards for Best Overall Design Response. They were created by:

Students from the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, Jennifer Benevides, Brandon Correia, Michael Cruz, Patrick Grime, and Catarina Pedro:
The judges commented that: “The design reflects New Bedford’s historic mill buildings and the new station is carefully oriented to use solar energy to heat and daylight the building.”
Damon May, AIA: In Mr. May’s words, his design “…captures the historic soul of free enterprising New Bedford, it builds a strong basis for reflecting and integrating with the city's complex architectural fabric, and it provides a tried and true form for meeting the energy efficient design mandate.”

The judges awarded Honorable Mention for the following creative design features:

Iconic Treatment of New Bedford’s Character: Anthi Frangiadis, Archit8 Studio.
Exploration of Circulation and Access: Robert Bichel and David Fredette, City of New Bedford Department of Public of Infrastructure
Incorporation of Local Art and History: James Carney
Green Design: Edwin Sargent, AIA
Suspension Bridge: Jenna Storey, Wentworth Institute of Technology
Canopy Garden: Mark Warren

Mayor Lang said the judges were impressed with the thoughtfulness and creativity displayed in all of the submissions. Ms. Egan said that MassDOT is considering elements of these concepts as it advances the South Coast Rail project toward design.

South Coast Rail will restore passenger rail service from South Station in Boston to the South Coast. It will address a long-standing transportation inequity, while encouraging economic development, fostering job-creation and connecting people with affordable housing options, while protecting the natural environment. The project is guided by Sustainable Development principles and includes a regional smart growth corridor plan. More information on the project is available at www.mass.gov/southcoastrail.