Tomorrow (Wed 11/2) morning at 11 AM, Northland Development will be presenting their much anticipated preliminary plans for their large mixed use (retail, housing, commercial) development on the parcel between the Upper Falls Greenway and Needham St. The presentation is open to the public and will be held in a tent on the Marshalls Plaza parking lot. Tomorrow evening from 7-9 PM they will also hold an open house in the same tent where the public can get a look at the drawings and talk to staff people about the project.
The parcel includes the (formerly) Clark Shoes mill building on Oak St which will be preserved as well as the Marshalls Plaza which will be demolished. The project also includes a parcel on the far side of Needham St.
The mayor’s office sent out this press release this afternoon …..
Presentation of Exciting New Concept Enhancing the N2District and Linking to the Upper Falls Neighborhood
Newton, MA – Today, Mayor Setti Warren invited the public to an event where Northland Investment Corporation presented a concept for the redevelopment of their parcels in the N
2 Innovation District.
“We are very excited about what Northland’s concept brings to Needham St. and the Upper Falls community,” said Mayor Warren. “The combination of residential, retail, and open space has the potential to enhance the area by creating a space inclusive of what people love most about Newton’s villages: a community concept, green space, and access to amenities. The concept also fits within our vision for the N2 Innovation District and our recently released housing strategy and could meet the needs of residents in the decades to come by providing diverse housing, access to the innovation economy, shops, and recreational space.”
The first phase in a detailed planning process that will require extensive community input, the presentation included concept plans for effectively integrating housing, retail, and office space. The concept highlights community focused benefits, including enhanced open spaces, connections to the Upper Falls Greenway and improved street level experience.
“The timing for this project is ideal because it comes at a time when innovation economy businesses from Boston, Cambridge and across the globe are looking to locate here and while more the $150 million is being invested in improving roads, adding bike lanes and enhancing pedestrian access,” said Greg Reibman, president of the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber. “The chamber looks forward to working with Mayor Warren, the City Council, the neighborhood, and Northland on creating a project that matches our vision to establish the nation’s first suburban innovation district right here along the banks of the Charles River.”
“We are very excited to begin the public process, working with the City of Newton and the community, in creating a transformative, dynamic mixed use neighborhood with walkable streets and new green spaces,” said Peter Standish, Senior Vice President of Northland. “Our concept will serve as a fitting gateway to the City and the Needham Street corridor, while respecting the rich heritage and character of the Upper Falls area.”
The presentation is followed by an Open House hosted by Northland 7-9pm (Wed 11/2), offering residents an opportunity to interact with developers and city representatives to learn more about the concepts, the public engagement process, and next steps.