Half a Million Short
Today's Daily News Transcript reports that at the Selectman's meeting Monday, an update from Westwood Station reported that the developer will not be making the full amount of payments as promised. Just a few weeks ago, the developer had "every intention" of honoring the agreement, but the economic realities out there clearly push us all towards bad and worse choices.
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Comments
unscalable
It will be interesting to see if a "scaled back" version of the project becomes a feasible topic now. My understanding of the whole motivation behind this project is that the size and scope was necessary to achieve the "synergy" of a mixed-use, transit-oriented development. There is no point to scaling it back to be like Legacy Place. If that were an option, we'd have seen something like this 20 years ago.
I am sure there are "carrying costs" associated with holding the land and waiting out the economic storm...and there is a point where those costs become unbearable and the project would be written off altogether. I don't know if that is a topic worth discussing--what can anyone here do about it? But it would be interesting to have a greater insight into how the developer--who has hundreds of millions of dollars at risk--is thinking about this.
Scaling Back
Dave,
The time for a smaller project was back when this was sold to the town by Nancy Hyde and Steve Rafsky. The models presented by CCF were ones like Santana Row in California and others on the East Coast. NONE of these models were as big. Oh, the developer said that it had to be 4.5 Million Square feet to be feasible. That is absurd. Look at Derby Streets and other developments. This development could have thrived at a smaller scale - on the commuter rail between Boston/Providence, on 128 and 95 S. However, greed got the best of the developer and town. Legacy Place is 300,000sq feet of retail. CCF was after 1.5 Million. When the town is surrounded by development such as Legacy Place, Walpole Mall, SSP, Patriot Place etc. WHERE IS THE DEMAND FOR 1.5 MILLION SQ FT? However, the town would never listen to residents asking, pleading, begging for something smaller. It was never addressed at Planning Board. When residents demanded it be sized down, the answer was "we can only review the plan before us". The Planning Board worked countless hours reviewing this monster plan while the Selectmen and CCF turned a deaf ear to concerns about the size. CCF kept saying if the town wants the money for the infrastructure needs, it must be this big. WELL, the instrastructure needs would not be as overwhelming if the project was an appropriate size. And instead of sizing down, when the demand went away for upscale stores, they turned to rental units and big box stores. However, town boards still supported this. I would love to see an appropriately sized development there instead of a mound of dirt. However, this project has been a mess since day 1 and the town sold us into it - hook, line and sinker! Pretty sad.
Santana Row
Interesting...back in 2000, I lived near the construction of Santana Row, so I can see the parallels. But that was in the center of a million-person city, next to a mall similar in size to the Natick Mall, I believe. I think it would have been great to have an ongoing discussion all along--comparing, contrasting these developments and talking about what it would mean to the whole area. I think a campaign like that--instead of being seen as something to placate or inform residents--could have been am honest marketing effort to get everyone excited about the possibilities so that the project did not become an all-or-nothing gamble. But what do I know? Like so many issues...one person's solution can be another's problem...imagine turning Westwood into San Jose?? Yikes!
Westwood Station Status
Joanie is dead on target (no pun intended). No one in town had any experience working with a project of this magnitude. However, instead of taking a conservative approach and trying to build on the success of a smaller phase I, neither the current candidate for re-election to the BOS (Hyde) or the new candidate for Planning Board (Rafsky) would entertain any consideration of a smaller and less-risky project that could easily have grown over time. Indeed, everyone seems to forget that when this project was initially in the works, it was to be a 50 acre project immediately adjacent to the train station. While the developer chose to amass a 150 acre tract, no one on the Town boards did anything to suggest that the initial concept was the right one. Anyone who questioned the conventional wisdom was derided and dismissed as "anti-development" when they were just attempting to bring some measure of reason to the process. Since CCF has quite rightly made it clear that they are not going to contribute to the Town's revenues until they are able to commence construction, what exactly does the BOS propose to do to make up the lost revenue?
Westwood Station
When I thought the project was 50 acres I was very much in favor of the project. When they wanted to have a 150 acre project,
I was against. I don't live in Pre 4 and I'm against the project at its current size. This project is going to start to cost the town money. No longer will CCF be paying all of the lawyer fees. In the paper it says they will split the cost with the town.
When it comes to the I-Cubed if Nancy and Steve can get the town to agree to that then they can sell Ice to an Eskimo.
If the town lets CCF go for the I-Cubed and Westwood Station never becomes economically viable we are on the hook for 50,000,000.00 that's a lot of zeros.
I believe Westwood Station is a go when it comes to permitting. If they falter in some way on the permit then you need a planning board member that will stick their ground. It's time for new blood new Ideas not only on the planning board but on all boards.
Westwood Station should be downsized and then allowed to grow over time.
I told Steve Rafsky years ago that the project is just to big. Lets stop being so greedy as a town and try to make something out of a bad situation. The pace Westwood Station is going it is going to take cash from the towns pocket instead of putting it in.
The BOS and developer
The BOS and developer promised us a 5 course meal. What they failed to tell us is that we have a novice chef, inadequate kitchen help and we don't have all the ingredients. We're left with an empty bowl and unfulfilled promises. For two years many of us have voiced our opposition to the scale of this project and its lack of identity. What we heard was build it and they shall come and the size and scale are necesssary. There are several things we have to keep in mind. At Town Meeting the zoning for Univ. Ave. area was changed. The last thing we want is something like Walmart or Sam's Club. I suggest that folks read the Canton Journal--they seem to have better coverage and info regarding developments. For example, Brian Joyce now serves on the commitee that oversees the stimulus money. Did he get that position after he backed away from the Wegman bill? Come election time--remember we need someone with a new vision.
FinCom Last Night
Did anyone attend the FinCom meeting last night and was this issue discussed? I am wondering when we will have to address this lack of funds coming into town? Any updates would be great.
curious about petition articles too
Unfortunately, I could not attend either. If there is anyone in town who would be willing to attend these meetings and write a brief summary for the blog, please let me know!
FINCOM MEETING
All three warrant articles got shot down.
The Selectman removed the I-Cubed. Mike Walsh was at the meeting.
One positive....
at least I-Cubed was removed.
More Actions By CCF
Just saw the paper from yesterday and Norwood wants an ice rink. So, CCF will help them. Let's just put in the Northbound ramp from I95 N onto Dedham/Canton Street and we will help you with the ice rink. Norwood Selectmen are quoted as saying "we have been trying to get traffic off Neponset St. for 1/2 a century". SO LET'S PUT IT ON CANTON STREET AND GET AN ICE RINK WHILE WE ARE AT IT. It just gets better every day. Clearly Westwood Station is on hold and we are not getting what we were promised. So, let's spend the money bribing other towns until we get moving on Westwood Station. Will anyone protect the Westwood residents?
Why would this town agree to take the traffic from Neposet St. and put it on Canton St? Money. I get that. But the money isnt coming and we are not getting what we were promised. An ice rink would be great. But does it have to come with the demand of a major highway off ramp?
Can other residents comment?
newspaper article?
Can you include a link to the newspaper article?
Requested Link
Sorry. I never think to include the link. Here it is below. The ramp has been under discussion for "1/2 a century" and talks about alleviating Neponset St. Great for Norwood. Not so great for Dedham/Canton St.
http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/news/x142886656/Norwood-ice-rink-idea...
Work is going on at Westwood Station site
Work has been going on at the otherwise silent Westwood Station site over the past few days. Looks like they are seeding or doing something and something on the old section of road that is fenced off.
I haven't heard much about WW Station lately and I'm afraid this work is just for upkeep and no further progress on the project has been made.
Thoughts are welcomed.