I have a question for folks who don’t support the project at 28 Austin Street because they don’t believe it does enough to address Newton’s affordable housing needs.
If that’s so, then why do all of the city’s the affordable housing experts support this proposal?
Need another example: Read this. Still dubious: Go here. More: Here you go. A financial perspective? Read this.
And here’s a summary of the situation from the alderman who has been most committed to addressing this issue.
If you’re still sure you know more than the experts who dedicated years to this issue, the cynic in me suspects you’re really just using the affordable argument to fortify a different reason why you don’t support the project. But please convince us otherwise in the comments section.
@Greg — Austin St. has aspects that are directionally consistent with the personal or professional objectives of a diverse set of groups and individuals. They have been called upon to deliver their support to the project in a highly organized fashion. Very few will directly experience any negative consequences or costs if the project goes ahead.
On the other hand, if they were to express reservations or withhold support, their professional or political careers or objectives might be impacted in the future. They might be rightfully told by the administration that not supporting the city’s effort on this project would hurt momentum toward projects that would actually make a difference in the areas they advocate for.
They might be passed over for the next architectural design assignment. They might not get supported by the democratic committee (one of the housing experts you cite) in their political aspirations.
There also might be bullying bloggers out there somewhere who might allocate four inflammatory posts in a week to make sure their day jobs or public service roles were put at risk.
Just to be clear, I do not question the integrity or motives of the supporters who have written or spoke in favor of the project. I highly respect the friends and fellow community members and appreciate their service to the community in their public and personal lives.
On the financial analysis I had previously responded to that it seems like this project is $30 million more expensive than alternative ways of supplying housing to low income families, and these might be much less impactful to Newtonville business and the live-ability of the village.
@Jack P: If you’re suggesting that Josephine McNeil (CAN-Do), Sarah Perry (Second Step), Phil Herr (Fair Housing Committee), Rob Gifford (AIG) or Alderman Ted Hess-Mahan would support something they didn’t believe in just to curry favor with Mayor Warren — or to avoid scorn on a blog — then you don’t know those folks.
And yes you are questioning “the integrity or motives of the supporters” when you suggest something as ridiculous as that.
I have a question for folks who support the project at 28 Austin Street because they believe it will help businesses in Newtonville.
If that’s so, then why do so many of the actual businesses in Newtonville oppose this proposal?
If you’re still sure you know more than the experts who dedicated years to build their Newtonville businesses, the cynic in me suspects you’re really just using the pro-business argument to fortify a different reason why you support the project. But please convince us otherwise in the comments section.
@Greg — I’d include a much longer list of supporters I respect, including neighbors and family friends.
I wasn’t fully aware of Can-Do and Second Step until following this process, and admire what they are doing.
My point was mainly that it I imagine there is little to no reason for many not to sincerely support aspects of a cost-free project that seeks to contribute toward the important efforts they are working on.
Ted has already commented while the project is aligned with things that are important to him, he has held the project to a minimum standard.
@Jack P. I’m having a hard time understanding your point. It seems to me that you are alleging that Newton’s affordable housing advocates are supporting this project reluctantly, or to use your word, don’t “sincerely support” it, or perhaps are doing so under political pressure or in hopes of a return favor. Is that what you are saying?
@Greg — I think housing advocates sincerely support it. Apologies for double negative.
Thanks for clarifying Jack.
Paul:
I see what you did there Paul. You took Greg’s post from another thread, mirrored it, and changed it to reflect your point of view. It made me chuckle a bit. My son does that to me sometimes. Granted, he’s a little younger than you… 😉
As much as I tell myself not to feed the trolls, let me answer that question honestly. I’ve talked to every business I routinely frequent in Newtonville. I can’t say the owners are my friends, because none of them are, I’m a customer and a loyal one I’d like to think. But retail relationships aren’t friendships, even after years. So it is hard for me to know if I’m getting the answer they’d give to a friend. Or the answer they want me to hear. But I ask, and I listen, and I don’t argue their points.
A lot of the businesses are against this proposal. They like the easy parking. They like the lack of construction. Rent is high, and even one bad year can wreck them. They think it is unfair that parking will be compromised for a year to benefit a developer. Some seem to care more than others. The ones across the Pike don’t seem to care that much, probably because parking in the Austin Street lot isn’t that likely for their customers.
But there is honest and deep concern about the project. Most of it I think it focused on the construction. The fact that Walnut street being torn up would occur AFTER the project seems to worry folks as well.
There are also many businesses who don’t love it, but say they will live with it. That it will be nice to have some additional daily customers.
Most of them complain that their rents are too high. And that their landlords won’t care that their parking got compromised. And why is that fair?
The truth of it is that it isn’t fair in the short-term. The city and ASP seem to have a plan, but it certainly won’t be as easy as the lot is currently. That is the truth. I do believe it will be better than the businesses anticipate, but I also know that several of them are hanging on or having bad years. So it is much easier for me to believe than for them to believe. My livelihood isn’t riding on this, my profit margin isn’t riding on this.
I do believe that short term pain will end up equaling long term gain. 68 families or individuals will be living right next door to the village. Proximity equals loyal and frequent customers for many of our restaurants and service businesses. I walk past the bread company daily, I buy more bread. (I mean that as a metophor and a fact, I buy a ton of bread).
A lot of us will make a concerted effort to support our local businesses during this process. It isn’t perfect, but between our efforts collectively and the city efforts, I hope it will be enough.
As much as you are trolling Paul, your comment highlights the weak link in any change in Newtonville.
Now all that said, did you read the comment that you mirrored from Greg? There seems to be a lot of posts that false allege that supporters of this project must somehow be compromised. Compromised ethically. Compromised due to self-interest. And yet no one offers proof. Just allegations of corruption. Considering the many folks with sterling reputations that support the project, considering that many of them don’t see eye to eye with the mayor and yet support the project, considering that many of them have no reason to support a for profit developer except the believe that the project is good for the affordable units and good for Newton, it is frustrating that you chose that particular comment of Greg’s to mirror.
Do you have anything constructive to say about that?
@Fig
First off, the name calling is childish. Something I teach MY children not to do. For all the good you post, the silly stuff just detracts. No need.
The presumption that Newtonville businesses can’t see beyond a tough year of construction to the promises of greater business from new residents from Austin St seems insulting. They’re businessmen. If the year after the construction promised them greater riches, they’d support it. The reality, as cited in their petition, is that Austin St offers them a 2% increase in population in exchange for significant changes in their parking situation. The parking will be covered, in spots that would be too small for some, with the knowledge that ASP is being offered parking waivers, so those spots will have greater competition. An honest assessment of the parking is that its slightly worse than it is currently, and likely worse than the potential of a 2% increased population. That’s THEIR assessment, there isn’t a point of arguing it with me. They’re the experts. My point to Greg is that he seems to rely on some experts– affordable housing– while ignoring others, Newtonville business owners. I’m stunned that so many supporters give so little credence to those most affected by this choice– Newtonville residents and Newtonville businesses. The residents gave 55% of their votes to opponents to Austin St. in the recent election (you’ve stated multiple times that it was 50-50, which is incorrect) and voted a majority of the Newtonville Area Council to be known opponents as well. They have made their voice known. The businesses have too.
As to your point about supporters being compromised to self-interest. I think you’re right for the most part. I believe you, and many others on the blog, as well as proponents like Ted, are doing this because you believe this is the right thing to do. You won’t find me saying otherwise on this blog (I did accuse Ted at one point, but retracted once he clarified that he doesn’t take donations from developers, an honorable position). With two exceptions. Greg has a self-interest. He’s pushing the agenda of the Chamber of Commerce. He may also believe in affordable housing, but he has a horse in this race besides doing what’s best for Newton. The Mayor is the other. I made clear months ago that he’s run a terrible, non-transparent process, that ended with a political supporter winning the bid without a robust justification. It stinks like crony capitalism.
So while I respect many from the other side, I still think this is the wrong to do. Too large, out of scale and out of character with the village, too little compensation for the city for the land.
Yep. The business community is divided on Austin Street.
The experts on Newton’s Economic Development Commission and the Newton-Needham Chamber Board of Directors both endorsed it.
A group of Newtonville merchants, who certainly bring their own expertise to the table, signed a petition opposing it.
The merchant petition may or may not be a great measure as to how merchants feel now. It was circulated before the city identified those additional 70 parking spaces and before the developer agreed to create a business loss mitigation fund to help during construction.
Are those steps sufficient? “Experts’ disagree. But no one can possibly know for certain.
But I can tell you that the Chamber’s Board of Directors would never have unanimously supported the project without those 70 additional parking spaces. (For the record, I’m not on Chamber’s Board of Directors: I’m an employee. The directors all either run or work at a business or non-profit or are economic development experts)
I hear there was a new merchant petition being circulated last week and am interested to see if the added transitional parking or other assurances have changed any minds. I’m also anxious to see if the signatures on any petition belong to business owners or employees or if it includes any former Newtonville business owners, as the last one did.
I know of at least one high profile retailer who had signed the first petition who now is a supporter. I’m sure, others remain unchanged. Perhaps someone new has come on. I also know of many merchants who desperately want to be left out of the political debate out of fear of alienating customers on either side. Can’t blame them for that.
“The truth of it is that it isn’t fair in the short-term. The city and ASP seem to have a plan, but it certainly won’t be as easy as the lot is currently. That is the truth. I do believe it will be better than the businesses anticipate, but I also know that several of them are hanging on or having bad years. So it is much easier for me to believe than for them to believe. My livelihood isn’t riding on this, my profit margin isn’t riding on this.”
I didn’t read this paragraph closely enough. Sounds like we’re agreeing on that point. You’ve gotten the trade-off right on, and fair minded about it. Sorry for lumping you in with the others who’ve espoused that its all roses after the construction and if only Newtonville businesses could get past the fear of the next year.
Paul:
A few quick responses since I’m off to bed. I think we disagree on the percentage of votes, since Lynne placed 3rd in Ward 2, I don’t see how you get to 55% unless you count Jake, which I personally think is a stretch. My 50/50 line is meant to be honest. You ask the question one way you get 55% against, you ask it another way you get 55% for in the Ward. And that is ignoring the actual election, but let’s just leave it that the community is split.
I also think that neither you nor I can speak for all of the businesses. I know of at least a few who have told me they think things will be better after the construction. And I do think I’ve acknowledged the pain the construction will cause. As for the Newtonville Area Counsel, I believe all of the incumbents who supported the project also won with some of the highest vote totals, so I’m not sure you can draw any conclusions from that as well, except that the community is split.
As for Greg being conflicted, I gotta say I don’t see it. I don’t see the Chamber really caring enough about one particular project or one particular developer to make the conflict anything more than an attack on Greg. Say the project passes. Do folks think Greg gets a bonus? Does he move up the ranks at the Chamber? Does anyone saying that understand what the Chamber does or is?
As for the mayor, I’ve stated my position previously that I hated the process and I think he botched it. I think folks reading know I’m not a Setti apologist. But I’ve made my feelings clear on other posts that despite the bad process, there were many folks whom I trust that also support this project, and it was one of the best of the 5 according to them.
I did?
@Ted — I thought you had said something along the lines that there would be a lower threshold of contribution to affordable housing under which you wouldn’t support the project, but I can’t find. I hope that is your position in any case.
I think @Fig and @Paul provide a fairly balanced view of both sides of the business issue. But for the businesses we should remember this is not a year of construction. It is a sequence of projects IN SERIES of excavation, construction, water/sewer upgrades triggered by the project, power line under-grounding (if it happens), and THEN Walnut St. improvements that will take us out to 2019.
The Walnut St. improvements will be directly beneficial to the land value of the storefronts in the long term, but even that project will be stressful to the small business owners leasing their establishments with the loss of their sidewalks, foot traffic, and on-street parking for a period of time. As several Alderman have suggested, if the ASP project must go forward, doing the Walnut St improvements first while convenient lot parking remains within steps of their businesses would make the most sense.
Jack P., now I understand. That is correct.
Well, Mike Striar should like this. The Board of Aldermen just received the following email from the Mayor: