The TAB’s Laura Lovett has just posted a story summarizing the changes coming to Newtonville, including the Austin Street and Washington Place mixed use projects as well as roadway, sidewalks and streetscape improvements to Walnut Street and across the Pike. (She didn’t but also could have also mentioned the Cabot School renovations or changes that one day might be made to the Star Market.)
So how are you feeling about Newtonville? Are you excited about or worried for the village’s future? If you had a chance to purchase a home or start a business there, would you consider it a wise investment or do you think your money would be better spent in a different part of Newton? Is Newtonville under siege or enjoying a renaissance?
I’m very optimistic, IF we keep pushing for the best possible outcome. In the short term (within the next 3 years) we could have:
1) Updated Walnut Street, changing the whole look and feel of the Village.
2) Improved gathering areas around the Senior Center, the new Austin Street, maybe the new WP/Orr Block
3) New Retail down Austin Street and Washington/Walnut.
4) Close to 200 new units within walking distance of the Village Center
5) Multiple new restaurants with outdoor seating (and potentially new outdoor seating for existing restaurants like Rox Diner and Brewer’s Coalition
6) Improved plantings and seating
7) Traffic calming and pedestrian improvements
As I’ve said now dozens of times on these posts, this is a once in a generation opportunity to improve the village center. You’ve got new developments, road improvements, wider sidewalks, better lighting, new green areas all being developed at once, ideally with the right sources of mitigation funds promised to us to make those improvements done the right way.
This all has incredible potential. And for those of us who live in and walk to Newtonville daily, it is up to us to keep pushing the city, the developers involved, the NAC, the Council, our councilors, to fulfill the promises made to the village over the past 5 years. Stay involved with the Walnut redo, stay involved with the buildout of Austin Street and WP. I’m confident it will be worth it.
I’m very optimistic about the future of Newtonville, and I support the Austin Street and Washington Place developments. This is very much the type of investment I was hoping to trigger when I was the first candidate for public office to support building an entirely new NNHS along Walnut Street. These things are all interconnected. The City of Newton’s willingness to invest in a new high school sent a clear message about the viability of Newtonville, and laid the groundwork for today’s development. I predict that a proposal to cultivate a portion of the Mass Pike air-rights will land on the desk of Newton’s next mayor before their first term expires.
I completely agree with the above comments. I too walk to Newtonville and can envision all of the improvements adding texture to my day and evening jaunts.
It’s definitely important to make sure the new administration and city council keep their promises.
I agree with both Fig and Mike, though I highly doubt any discussion of air rights will come forward…
There are many changes coming and for some folks that have been in this area it is hard to be optimistic and I certainly can understand the “under siege” belief. Part of the problem is incremental change has been put on hold for nearly 30 years and in some cases nearly 50. Things have not changed that much, really since Star/Shaws opened the market over the pike. Or the office development across from Washington Place. Yes the HS opened and that was certainly a big change but it was south of the village and a school, very different. Businesses have come and gone but the built environment has not changed and it very much shows its age. Folks have gotten very use to the way things have been for so long. It is unfortunate that they were like that for so long though…
The pike has been there, the trains have been there (now with more service and they go farther than they did in the 70’s and 80’s) Washington Street has been 4 lanes, Walnut has been busy, and Austin St lot was used for parking. A couple churches changed into residences and offices but their structure was not too altered (save for the cell tower on the old Methodist church on Newtonville ave)
There are many reasons why lower cost and risk incremental development on top of the single story shops didn’t happen. There are reasons why the Orr Block became really rundown (despite the very nice brick building next to the gas station which I will be very sad to see go). These same reasons have impacted many built areas over the past 70-80 years or so, in some cases they never recovered correctly from the great depression due to a change in housing policy and incentives from the federal government (for the most part)
I think that what Newtonville is going through now is likely nearly as “disruptive” as when it was first founded out of farm fields. The difference, cows don’t vote or show up to public meetings. I think within 3 years it will be a very different place and I think very much for the better. Washington street itself is the next stumbling block and that has got to be redone right. lets look to West Newton Square project as an example, and learn from it as it gets built in the next year or so, it will be much simpler to do in Newtonville, we don’t have as many side roads or as many traffic lights.
I have been here for 5 years and think this is good stuff (devil is always in the details though, and it is important we get those details right)
I for one can’t wait. I think Newtonville is going to be a far more entertaining, walkable, enjoyable neighborhood as a result of the coming changes.
It’s going to be tough for a while until then, especially if endless lawsuits keep Washington Place empty and on hold for years. The construction will be a pain. But I think we’ll come out on the other end really happy with the way our village center pans out.
Optimistic, for reasons well stated above. (Indeed, my fiance and I are looking for houses to buy in the village.)
The key is public transit. Public-private partnerships to improve bus and light rail will be the foundation for a thriving Newtonville.
As time goes by, all of the above people will begin to understand what a disaster these 2 housing projects really mean for Newtonville. Over the next decade the Washington St. corridor will be built up and transform the entire area. Most people will avoid the crowded streets and non accessible parking lots.
The transit system will never be rebuilt for high speed trains. Costs will be very high and children will lose the old feel of neighborhood schools. Many will bemoan the loss of historic Newtonville and move away. It’s just the way things work, especially when we elect politicians who lack sound vision and good leadership skills. How sad for us all who for decades loved the village for its safe and tranquil old ways.
Also optimistic, for many of the reasons mentioned above. My wife and I currently own a modest condo on the Newtonville/Nonantum line. If everything goes well over the next few years and we end up needing a little more space, something closer to the village center is our number one choice.
Very optimistic, great to see newtonville north of the pike improved.
Looking forward to:
Horace Mann relocation and new senior or community center in its place
New village active by people who live within 10 minute walk rather than people who drive there
Hopefully will see newtonville mbta station introducing dmu trains for more frequent Boston service
Pessimistic. I’m reminded of what happened to Newton Corner (can anybody claim that Newton Corner is a “village” any more? I look at West Newton – some nice stores, but a nightmare to park. I listen to prattle about “transit centric” development, and am reminded that I used to commute downtown by train & bus, and how infrequent and inconvenient the schedules are (just try coming home from downtown anytime other than commuting hour). Now maybe Walnut St. has the potential to become Moody St. in Waltham – but that’s not what’s being promised, or built – and there’s no real plan. All we’re doing is acceding to developers who’s interests are not necessarily aligned with those of the community.
Optimistic!
In addition to all the enhancements listed above, I’m excited about two amenities the we really need in Newton: The co-working or collaborative work space inside the Austin Street building and the public arts space that will be managed by the NewArts Center at Washington Place.
Neither of these community give-backs received a lot of attention during the debates over these two projects but both should bring a lot of vitality, foot traffic and young energy to the village. One day I predict both will appear high on the list of things many folks like best about Newtonville.
For those folks constantly complaining about “nightmare” parking in the new Washington place:
Pssst, its not for meant for drivers. Its main customer base will be the approximately 200-250 people who live directly above and another 150 people who live within 10 minutes walk.
If you can’t handle the parking, push the gas pedal and park further or drive to another store. Its designed for for people who can walk there. At least hope there is a row of 30 minute parking spots to ensure constant turnover
@Greg: Nicole Castillo has some really interesting ideas about encouraging the innovation economy and work from home lifestyle. She was talking about trying to attract work bars and those types of amenities for the many people who would like to work from home. You should talk to her about it if you have a chance.
I have lived in Nonantum all my life and have never met or seen Nicole at any events such as our Village Day, Society’s events, etc. She did reach out to me to volunteer at Bike De Tour and than could not make it!
How long has she lived in Newton? Has she ran for any other seat in the past? Nicole has reached out to me and I intend to me her at some point to see what her views are and her intent for running as At Large City Councilor.
Bryan having a member of the council for 9 years shows me and has shown me that he works for all citizens of Newton. Jay Ciccone is someone who has shown me in so many ways he is truly amazing and loves his City!
@Miles Fidelman
You are correct: Newton Corner has lost much of its village feel. However, the reason is because the old Nonantum block was razed and replaced only by sterile commercial buildings. Initially, the plan was for MIXED USE there, which would have added people and vibrancy to the area. But NIMBYism was a presence here even then, more than three decades ago.
How having a commuter train with limited hours of operation, no handicapped to the tracks (with no plans in the works to remedy this), MBTA bus service to limited areas considered a transit-oriented location is a huge stretch of the imagination. Auchincloss and Barash are unacquainted with transit-oriented communities, both were raised in Suburbia. Please take a trip to Portland, OR or Washington, DC. to see how this actally works.
Perhaps you will use your tremendous political influence to get in front of Stephanie Pollack and Governor Charlie Baker and make something happen.
Yes. There really is such a thing as transit-centric development, but not here. In addition to Portland & DC – just visit Long Island. The LIRR & the MTA – now that’s a transit system one can rely on 24×7. Fr about 3 years, I was commuting to Long Island via MBTA, Amtrak, LIRR – the most difficult part of the trip was Newtonville to South Station – no trains at convenient times, and the bus stops 3 blocks from South Station (not great when carrying luggage in the snow).
I think what Newtonville is currently passing through is almost as “destructive” as it was when it was first built on farm fields. The difference is that the cow will not vote or join the public meeting. I think it will be a very different place in 3 years and I think that it will be better. The Washington street itself is the next hurdle and needs to be redone. Let’s look at the West Newton Square project as an example and it will be much easier to build in Newtonville as we will learn to build it next year, not as much or as much traffic light as sideways. .
On transportion, I fully admit it isn’t perfect. But as an everyday user, it has the POTENTIAL to be much better. DMU style trains are a good idea that will eventually happen now that the freight train yard has closed. It may take a few decades, but that will come. New train stations can come within the next decade, as long as our political representatives have the will.
In the meantime, Newtonville has direct bus access, express bus access, a quick entrance to the Pike, etc. And with Uber and Lyft and other ride services, more and more of us are relying on fewer cars. It is often hard for folks who don’t use those services regularly to understand how transformative they have been. And technology will continue to transform.
Miles, I do agree about the bus from Newtonville to South Station not actually stopping at South Station. Makes NO sense. None.
Greg, I didn’t actually focus on the NewArt space or the work space. I’ll have to learn more about those. Does anyone know how the $700,000 will be divided up, and how one would volunteer to be on the committee?
I am also hoping to use the Walnut redo to approach landlords and see if they can improve their properties to better mesh with the new look and feel of Newtonville. A prime example is the Bank of America building. The area on the corner of Walnut and Austin Street would make a great sitting area, or at least a better landscaped area (or combo of the two). The alleys between buildings could use some work, hopefully that will happen with Austin Street. Perhaps some of the alleys could be activiated as outdoor restaurant space (one of them would be big enough).
One of the key things will be the design aspect of all of this. Good urban environment starts with good design elements. Good design and good funding to bring that design to life. All leads back to my first point, I’m optimistic IF we stay involved and push the city to fulfill its promises.
fignewtonville – yes, “potential” is the right word.
Of course, when I first moved to Boston (1971), the T was still running the old Bud cars (the original DMUs). More recently, the T has a procurement on the street for DMUs – for the Franklin line, with potential for use on Framingham/Worcester – but the procurement was cancelled.
New Balance is working with the T, to increase service to the new Boston Landing stop – which they PAID TO BUILD. Reportedly, developers in Hyde Park are working with the T to increase service to the Readeville station.
Meanwhile, here in Newton, we’ve seen a continuing drop in service. The only capital improvement – to Auberndale station – has been aborted due to such a poor design job that it would have negatively impacted schedules. And I’ve yet to hear a word about developers doing anything pro-active to increase T service to Newtonville (where, for example, is a station update in the plans for either the Austin Street or Washington Place “transit-centric” projects?).
Potential is one thing. Reality is another.