Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller sent this letter to the City Council proposing a unique way to fund building a new headquarters for the Newton Police Department (bold added for emphasis)
Dear Councilors,
I recently toured our police facilities (the main building, the annex, and the garage) as well as the police headquarters in Watertown and Weston. I was struck again by what many of us already know: The Newton Police Department facilities are too small; the layout is functionally inadequate; parking is too limited; and the structure doesn’t meet current earthquake safety codes.
Addressing these issues would require demolishing the historic building, a real shame. Starting from scratch on the current site isn’t promising, it’s too small for the department’s needs. The financial reality of this endeavor and the large number of other priority building projects has pushed planning for such a police project far down the road.
But what if there were a way to capture the value of the headquarters, a prized piece of real estate in West Newton Square, and find a way to build a new station, preserve the historic building and strengthen the vibrancy of the village center?
I have been thinking of just that scenario.
Last night I shared some ideas during an informal meeting with members of the City Council leadership and I’m now filling you all in on the possibilities as we move forward together to explore all the options.
To that end, a Request for Interest (RFI) is now being drafted asking parties about their interest in purchasing the police properties while preserving the headquarters building, and/or offering land for the City to purchase for a new police headquarters, and/or a swap that could give the City a site (and funding) to begin construction of a new headquarters in exchange for the West Newton headquarters, garage, and annex. I would also be interested in obtaining additional space for recreational use through this process, either at the new police complex or at a separate location.
The idea is to leverage the value of the West Newton police properties to provide an opportunity to greatly accelerate construction of a new police headquarters and recreational facilities that would otherwise be financially unattainable for years to come.
At this point this is just an idea, but one I believe is worth pursuing. At the end of the RFI process we could decide it won’t work. But we also might find ourselves with a solution that would benefit all of Newton. This comes at an opportune time when we’re just embarking on a community-based process about the future of Washington Street, including West Newton Square. Reimagining the use of the police headquarters dovetails nicely with this work.
We plan on sharing the RFI with you soon. Please be in touch with me. Let’s brainstorm.
Warmly,
Mayor Ruthanne Fuller
This strikes me as the kind of creative thinking we want from our elected leaders.
There does not seem to be any reason why the police station needs to be in a village square and if this could lead to an improved facility for our men and women in blue, that seems like a win.
It would also be great if whomever redeveloped the former station also committed to updating that park at the corner of Washington and Cherry Streets (does it have a name?). That park always struck me as really existing well below its potential.
Yes, let’s have another override to finance this project. We could use the land behind the War Memorial to build the new headquarters and use the carriage path for parking. Also, since housing is such a concern, let’s make Commonwealth Ave. an MU4 zone between Walnut and Centre St. a perfect place for new rental housing.
Washington St. will soon be all new rental housing apartments.
So RuthAnne will turn her attention to the center of town.
@Greg
Davis Field is the park behind the CVS.
I like the idea of selling the property. I wonder what the options are for redevelopment at the NPD site. Maybe senior housing?
@Andy: Actually I was referring to the small park right on the corner of Washington and Cherry Streets. It’s the park that was in the news a few months back when someone exhibited that “blue lives matter” flag.
@Colleen: Your cynicism might be more impactful if you took the trouble to actually understand the mayor’s proposal. Then you could riff off that! Have a great day.
I’ve just been informed that the park I was referring to is called Captain John Ryan Memorial Park
Pretty interesting actually and all the more reason to honor Ryan with a better park.
West Newton Square would benefit greatly from allowing public parking in the lot that’s behind the current police station, or even better developing a parking structure there.
Greg is right, this is great creative thinking. As far as I’m concerned, whether or not this eventually comes to fruition is secondary. That fact that she is even willing to propose it is a great sign that she is not afraid to think outside the box.
I have no positive/negative feelings about this yet, nor do I think the police station has to be right smack in a village square. But I’d be most interested in the location of where the new police station may be. The first thing that leaped to mind is the proximity of the court house next door. This closeness to the police station has meant that the transportation of accused prisoners, sometimes those a danger to themselves and/ or others, meant walking all of 25 or so yards from the jail to the courtroom building. What now? Larger issues of safety with transporting people and the larger costs within that? Not a deal breaker perhaps but one of a few things that came to mind.
I feel our new Mayor is all over the place. Twelve “priorities” in the budget address (she left off apple pie) and now this?
At work, my staffers come to me with a dozen written goals they plan to achieve each year. I always counsel them: “Give me three.”
It’s better to have three goals 100% covered off than 12 goals one-twelfth done each.
But then again, what do I know.?
A better park for Capt. Ryan would be nice outcome – the c. 1800s house where he was born and died on Auburndale Ave was recently demolished to make way for a couple of large, single-family attached condos.
If a deal can be made that would retain the public park and preserve the historic headquarters building while providing a new police facility and maybe even some recreation space, that could be worth pursuing.
Jose, given the size and complexity of our city, I’m kind of happy that our mayor is able to keep focus on multiple priorities at once. Focusing on just a couple of goals generally leads to letting others slide… and after a few years (or decades), you could end up with things like decaying buildings, terrible roads, and a whole bunch of unfunded liabilities.
Once you install some granite counter-tops, those jail cells will make great luxury condos!
For me, this is potentially another example of checks and balances of our governing body about to go wrong. It is my opinion that the recent Washington St Corridor Study got thru based on a good will gesture.
At least the previous administration put Austin Street and the Newton Centre Library properties through the Real Property Reuse committee process.
Ultimately Setti Warren ignored the recommendations of those processes and embarked upon his own visions. The Newton Centre Library debacle was of particular was of interest, even Deb Crossley took umbrage and went on a crusade with the Charter Commission attempting to change the process.
With respect to process, its unclear to me where we are on this one. Obviously the present Police HQ is still being used, and probably doesn’t qualify for re-use per say. Yet the administration is looking at some kind of swap, which will involve some kind of re-use!
Considering an RFI is already being drawn up, I can’t help but wonder when or if the Tax Payers are going to get an opportunity to Weigh in on this, let alone if they will be listened to.
If anything, this exemplifies why the city should not sell off land, ever.
And oh.. Is city hall Earth Quake proof? And what of the Police HQ – is it ethically ok we are requesting a new owner to preserve it, knowing its not Earth Quake proof?
Gotta love Newton. The city where everyone believes they’re an expert.
The mayor’s letter was addressed to the city council, yet Simon worries that the mayor might be scheming behind the council’s back. The mayor writes that she toured the police station, yet testcase6 wonders if she consulted with the police? (I’m pretty sure even the mayor doesn’t get to stroll around the police station without the police knowing.) The mayor floats the idea of a land swap or sale as way to fund a new station and Colleen interprets that as a request for an override. Geesh.
Are we having an earthquake. Wow. This mayor knows everything!
Now is time for an austerity budget if there ever were one. We’ll see if any real leadership emerges on the the city council to inject a dose of reality to the budget or whether they’re just an “amen corner” for more profligacy.
Fundamentally, the problem is that the people who hang around city hall view themselves as the heart and soul of the city, the’re the people who know “what the people need”. In reality, it’s the tens of thousands of residents who rarely go there who make Newton special.
Has the mayor asked the police department what they need? Will I get an opportunity to bid on the old building? The Austin Street lot was a bargain at $1 million–maybe I can get the police station for cheap!
@Greg,
The Mayor stated an RFI was being drawn up, and that would appear to have started before the email was sent. Not exactly scheming, that said its interesting it came out after the Washington St corridor got approved !
@Simon: The letter also said the mayor met with council leadership to present this idea first.
I’ll withhold judgement on the merits until more information comes out, but I agree with those who are saying that it’s an example of the kind of creative, bold leadership that Ruthanne brings to the table. I’ve been impressed so far.
Jose, I find your comments about City Hall knowing “what the people need” way off the mark in regard to Ruthanne Fuller’s administration thus far. If people feel that they are not being heard, they (you) must be hiding under a rock or something! I have lived in this City for a lot of years (as my name implies!) and I have never witnessed a Mayor who truly listens and digests the people’s needs as this one does. She is exploring a new idea and that is awesome, IMHO. She has announced the fact that she is exploring this. She isn’t waiting until its a done deal to tell us about it, as was a habit in the last administration – she is looking for input. She has office hours regularly: if you aren’t being heard, perhaps you should go have a chat with her.
If we’re looking for a spot where an expanded police station can exist, I’d suggest the center of Newton Centre. Underground the lot, build the police station on top and allow for additional services as well (like a city-backed innovation center or a STEAM education facility). It fills in a huge blank and moves the city services closer to the center of the city (also close to the new fire HQ).
Good points NN.
The Mayor believes that government services make Newton, Newton.
The mayor said “The heart and soul of our Newton city government are the women and men who labor every day to deliver to our citizens the services that make Newton, Newton.”
I stand by what I wrote earlier: In reality, it’s the tens of thousands of residents who rarely go (to City Hall) who make Newton special.
@Chuck T “If we’re looking for a spot where an expanded police station can exist, I’d suggest the center of Newton Centre. Underground the lot, build the police station on top”
I really hate that idea. I would like to see the city claim that parking lot back and develop a great green space and truly a town center where people can gather and socialize. And outdoor patio dining where people can take their food from any if the many Newton Center restaurant that have limited seating. Then build a parking garage behind Walgreen to replace the lost parking
@Chuck T, what might be more palatable is to use the space between the new fire station and Lyman Street and put it there
No surprise here — Bobby Korff has already started buying up whatever he can in West Newton Square, so this just puts him on both sides of the street. So it too can have urban renewal so it looks like those shiny new apartment buildings in Watertown and Waltham that we all love, right?
Since Newton real estate is so valuable, the police can follow the gas stations, offices, factories, and non-boutique retail stores outside of the city limits. Maybe the Newton Police can put a new HQ on cheaper land in, say, Dedham or Waltham. That’s the kind of out of the box thinking we should expect from our new developer/government!
I don’t have strong feelings about this and it could help keep West Newton Square lively to have other things in the building instead of the police station, but the remark about the earthquake code stood out to me. it’s being used as a reason to move the police station, but the new buyer would need to keep the structure that isn’t up to earthquake code?
The need to “earthquake proof” would be triggered by any renovation to the existing building:
“Under the building code, which was adopted a year and half ago and is still being tweaked, communities that are renovating critical buildings – such as fire stations, emergency shelters, and police stations – that are made of unreinforced masonry must incorporate protections to ensure the building can stand up to an earthquake.“
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/west/2012/02/26/earthquake-codes-rock-some-renovations/TDOUsJYysSgkeIr3KOnykI/story.html
So in case it wasn’t clear – renovating the building to keep it as a police station would require bringing it up to earthquake code for a critical emergency response building. Renovations for a different use of the building (like residential or commercial) would not, as it would no longer qualify as a critical building.
Adding a portion of the police station’s parking lot to the public parking inventory would REALLY help the businesses and economic development of West Newton.
@Al,
There isn’t enough room in the police parking lot for the police people, never mind for the public! Have you been in the lot? Every day, cars are double parked because there is no room. And don’t forget that the Court owns part of that property and THEY don’t have enough room either.
@TheWholeTruth “There isn’t enough room in the police parking lot for the police people, never mind for the public! Have you been in the lot? ”
Seems like that would be the perfect spot for a low rise garage. Same with the Pleasant and Pelham lots in Newton Centre
A garage won’t happen. It would put too many meter maids out of work, the people who make Newton, Newton.
The city could provide a great example and make its citizens less dependent on cars…. high density housing with no parking lot
My first thought as I started reading the Mayor’s letter was “save the building,” so by the time I came to the end I was excited about the prospect of keeping both the building and the park. These 2 city buildings side by side are two of my favorites in Newton.
The creative process that brought about this idea and brainstorming sessions in general are good ways to solve difficult problems particularly sessions where all participant’s perspectives and ideas are welcomed. It says a lot of good things about a leader who creates an atmosphere where this type of process works.
The Mayor’s reasoning that lead to “the building must come down” as a starting point is hard to understand. Tearing down Newton’s city-owned buildings isn’t generally considered a solution until after a thorough and thoughtful process that includes the city council and others in regular meetings with minutes. From past experience Newton has learned there are downsides to selling Newton’s city-owned buildings.
That the Police Headquarters is in such bad shape is not surprising as most infrastructure maintenance in Newton has been neglected. Moving it out of West Newton isn’t a problem and tearing down the building to start over there would be an inadequate solution.
@bugek But first the City must provide a great example by having better public transit, safer sidewalks, and bike lanes.
Mmqc,
Better public transport can only mean a newton subsidized shuttle which only travels within newton. Hopefully partnered with Uber
Safer side walks – tree huggers would never tear down a tree fix lifted pavements to br safe for wheel chairs
Bike lanes – definitely should have more. Who is opposing this?
You can’t just build housing in a dense neighborhood (which is getting more dense) without parking and ask people to adapt when the city doesn’t have the amenities to support a car free lifestyle. If you don’t, people are going to move in with their cars, park in the street, and then shuffle their cars around for half the year because of the parking ban.
Totally agree – plenty of room in the budget for a “Newton-subsidized shuttle”.
Perhaps it can run a loop from City Hall to Chestnut Hill, giving rides and a certain freedom to those who need it most.
Jose,
Newton could be first in the country to give bigger discounts (not free else it will be abused) to those who dont own a car (0 cars registered at address so even less chance of abuse). I really think this could move the needle on car ownership in Newton.
Isn’t the city backed Innovation Center already in the former Newton Corner library?
Why stop at free or subsidized rides around Newton?
The time is NOW for:
1) Free pizza AND beer every Thursday night for all Newton residents. Home delivered too.
2) $15,000 guaranteed income to every Newton resident who takes a brief loyalty oath.
3) $10,000 grant for each Newton residence for earthquake proofing.
4) $100 of free lottery tickets deliver with each pizza.
5) a global warming, sorry, climate change subsidy to…oh wait its April 21st and 47 degrees: forget about global warming.
I wonder who Jose Rubenstein really is? As Rubenstein is my maiden name I’m really curious.
Jose
Of course, a study would be done before any subsidy would be proposed… But if a subsidized Shuttle could reduce car ownership (not use but actual ownership) by 10% I think its worth considering
Susan:
I was wondering that myself. Is it a real name or a made up one? I just assumed the latter, but perhaps that is because of my own fake name.
I’d be interested in the back-story regardless, if Jose is willing to share. No worries if not.
Figgy
Also, some ideas for posts for the moderators:
1) Austin Street Parking lot is now closed. I was at Shaw’s today and while it was crowded, it seemed to be working pretty well. I’d be interested in what others think
2) Speaking of Austin Street, they are asking for ideas for the pocket park behind the bank. They say a dog park is their favorite, which I’m not particularly jazzed about. I’d prefer a meditation park or a place with some benches.
3) Finally, there was an interesting article about Washington Street and Orr Block and Korff’s recent purchases in the Globe.
In the spirit of potential earth quakes, how about we introduce a little tremor into the Crecent st project. Why not keep the police hq where it is, and instead of building housing at crecent st have a peripheral police station instead. Perhaps we shouldn’t be putting all of eggs in basket anyhow!
My name is Jose Rubenstein. I am, as previously implied, one of the tens of thousands of Newton residents who never goes to City Hall.
I am a resident concerned about the insular thinking on display by City Hall people who say or agree that “government services make Newton, Newton.”
A billion dollars in unfunded liabilities and a Mayor who praises municipal employees at every turn and an apparent “amen corner” city council – take a guess in which direction the unfunded liabilities are headed.
Free pizza and beer every Thursday for all Newton residents! And free shuttles too!
Rehijacking this thread.
Newton recently purchased Aquinas, kept the Newton Center Library and is looking into purchasing Webster Woods. Why sell a beautiful city-owned building instead of using creative thinking to come up with another use?
Is this part of the administration’s vision for Washington Street? Is the court house next? Reading an RFI for a consultant to rezone Washington Street would have illuminated the public on this vision.
@Marti,
The courthouse is state property, not City owned.
worst idea i have ever heard
no doubt, the mayor and other politicians are getting bribes for this
rest assured I am not only NOT voting for fuller, but started working hard to get someone else elected