Two recent articles highlight innovative strategies for downtown locations.
The Boston Globe on Jan. 16th (see the article to the right) focused on Quincy. Quincy (population of 91,000 -- slightly larger than Newton) is partnering with a private developer, Street-Works, to remake its sleepy downtown center into a dense commercial and residential hub.
The plan is to take advantage of the MBTA's Red Line while upgrading the road system and utilities and building 8 more parking garages. Simultaneously, they will add a 4 acres public green, 700 to 1200 homes, 1 million square feet of office space, 600,000 square feet of stores and restaurants, 2 hotels, and a health and wellness center.
They are using an innovative financing approach. The Globe notes, "To support the new construction, the city needs new downtown utilities, roadways, sidewalks, public spaces, and eight public parking garages. Street-Works will secure private financing for these improvements up front. Once revenues start flowing from new taxes and the public garages, Quincy would purchase the new infrastructure from Street-Works. The city has agreed to borrow $227 million for this purpose."
The New York Times had a front page article on Jan. 24th (link is to the right) on a garage! In Miami Beach, a private developer built a stunning $65 million parking garage in the cener of the city. Designed by a world-renowned architecture firm, it includes a loft apartment, a designer clothing store, and a top floor that can serve as an event space.
Perhaps some additional innovative thinking can get the ball rolling again on renovating Newton Centre.
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Great post, Ruthanne. I would *love* to see some innovative thinking around revitalization in the heart of Newton. It's in need of attention and could help continue the trend noted in the article with more jobs, commerce, stability, as well as a more use of limited resources/space.
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