The aldermen’s Public Facility Committee voted unanimously tonight to authorize the city to enter into a 99 year lease with the MBTA for the Greenway’s right-of-way behind Needham St. There’s still two more votes to go. The Finance Committee has to vote on allocating funds for an environmental insurance policy followed by a vote of the full board.
From tonight’s meeting it seems clear that the aldermen are enthusiastic about the project. Once the aldermen approve, the city can sign the lease and kick the project in high gear. If all goes according to plan, construction of Newton’s newest park could be completed next summer.
Wonderful news, Jerry! None of this would have been possible without your efforts.
Does the lease start at the Charles River? Does it include the stretch from Easy Street to the Riverside branch?
The lease will start at the middle of the river. I’m not 100% sure about the other end. It will definitely go to Easy St. It may/may not end just past National Lumber. As I understand it, the MBTA has been dealing with encroachment by National Lumber. I’m not sure whether or not the lease will include that piece. In any case, that very short additional piece of right-of-way across the National Lumber yard has a few other technical obstacles. So whether or not it’s included in the MBTA lease, the Greenway is unlikely to extend over that portion – at least initially
Right. Long-term, with Needham Street, Winchester and Walnut Streets being redesigned, having that extra piece could provide some huge opportunities.
Jerry. This is great news. Thanks for helping to make this possible. I’ve said for a long time that this will be a much needed and well deserved boost for Upper Falls.