EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In 2020 the Wareham’s Climate Change Flood Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Planning Study which focused on identifying areas that are vulnerable to anticipated sea level rise conditions was completed. A number of priorities were identified, includin g addressing the Main Street business district.

 The Town was awarded a Coastal Zone Management Coastal Resilience Grant in the summer of 2022 to develop a conceptual plan to reduce flood risk to the Main Street business district with an initial phase focused on businesses on the east side of Main Street and the large paved area of Merchant’s way. This area, abutting the tidally influenced Wankinco River, is the heart of downtown Wareham, encompassing local businesses, the entrance to Toby Hospital, the Fire Department, the MBTA line for the Cape Flyer, and a major evacuation route. Concurrently, the Town was updating its Urban Redevelopment Plan, and had gathered feedback for the community vision for Main Street and Merchant’s way. The adaptation planning further informed the Redevelopment Plan.

 More specifically, this project assessed the vulnerability of the site to sea level rise and storm surge through 2070, provided a planning framework, gathered community input on site objectives and risk tolerance, assessed the feasibility of employing adaptation strategies, and conducted a cost-benefit analysis for two neighborhood-scale adaptation strategies with a focus on maximizing the use of nature-based solutions and creating additional community benefits.

 The two alternatives developed - Maximize Resilience and Maximize Redevelopment - represented two ends of a spectrum of objectives heard through the Urban Redevelopment planning effort, and through the Redevelopment Authority and public engagement meetings. To summarize, there were strong voices for both redeveloping in the current footprint and for converting at risk commercial building space to greenspace that would provide reduced risk and public amenities. After receiving feedback on the benefit-cost analysis and site objectives comparison matrix, a third alternative was recommended, Balancing Resilience and Redevelopment.

 The recommended next steps are to 1. develop a broader educational campaign on the town-wide climate vulnerability, 2. expand the project boundaries and vulnerability assessment, and 3. develop community consensus for a final preferred adaptation approach.

 Coordination with Urban Redevelopment Plan

 Planning Framework for Resilience/Adaptation

 Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge Vulnerability Assessment Summary

 Understanding Site Constraints

 Neighborhood-Scale Adaptation Concepts

 Benefit-Cost Analysis of Two Alternatives

 Hybrid Climate Adaptation Alternative

 Building-scale Adaptation Approaches  Appendices