Newton Mayor Setti Warren makes a direct pitch for the proposed project at Austin Street in an oped published in today’s TAB, which was distributed via email to anyone on the city’s email list.

The Austin Street project provides Newton with options to maintain and grow diversity, welcome talented people of all kinds and maintain the dynamism of our city — not to close our doors to change, but still maintaining the unique character of our neighborhoods. Building a multi-use project including housing, retail, and parking on the Austin Street parking lot, in a village center with public transportation, fits our vision for Newton’s residents now and in the future.

Read the full column here and tell us why he’s right or wrong.