When Chestnut Hill Square received its special permit back in 2010/11, the plan called for a second phase with a residential tower. According to Mayor Ruthanne Fuller on NewTV with Jenn Adams, Chestnut Hill Square has notified the city that they are going to build the 91-unit tower.
I’ll have to dig around to find the special permit. And the video where this came up is below.
Great news! Glad to see this moving forward. The much-needed housing will be a great addition to the Square.
And how many “ affordable” units ?
There will be NO ability to ever drive down Rt. 9 if this happens. Is the tower going to be built on the top of Starbucks?
http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/planning/current/devrev/hip/chs/ The Chestnut Hill Square project is an 11-acre site that received approvals for a mixed use shopping center including a Wegmans grocery store. In addition to the local special permit process, the site went through the State’s MEPA review process. Phase 1 of the project includes three commercial buildings and a garage structure. Phase 2 may add up to 100 residential units to the site in an additional building. In addition, the retail site will contain restaurants, a health club and medical office space. All access to the site is from Boylston Street/Route 9. Significant improvements to Route 9 and Hammond Pond Parkway were proposed and required as part of the state MEPA approval process.
What is the status of “Significant improvements to Route 9 and Hammond Pond Parkway”? Will it be like Newtonville train platform that was recently closed yet used as justification for high density housing?
Virginia,
Your comment should have come with a trigger warning!
The so-called significant “improvements” are done. It was a pile of money spent to make Route 9 more highway-like between Hammond Pond Parkway and Langley Road. On the question of whether those changes constitute improvements, your mileage may vary.
As someone who drives through there regularly that section if Rt 9 is pretty good but further down eastbound by The Street continues to be bad and then westbound after Langley to Eliot is horrible. Florence /Hammond Pond Pkwy can also be pretty bad in the afternoons on,
We desperately need a pedestrian overpass (walkway) over Rt. 9 between Chestnut Hill Mall and Chestnut Hill Square.
This is a no brainer, someone is going to get seriously injured or killed trying to navigate by foot between the two malls.
The City of Newton should require such an overpass as a concession from the Developer for a housing tower at Chestnut Hill Sq. Perhaps the Ward 6 Councilors, Chamber President, Mayor and DOT can get on the same page to make this happen.
Peter,
The original Chestnut Hill Square proposal had such a bridge … and much more intense development. If I remember correctly, the developer pulled out because of the economic environment. The second proposal, what was built, was a lot smaller and the bridge was not an economical feature.
Would have been cool.
@Peter Karg A bridge would be great and also help balance the parking situation. I have seen at least one accident. The u-turns and cars going very fast make that not a great place for pedestrian crossing, confusing and now it’s dark early. 🙁
I would welcome some new apartments/condos in this area. It’s been a long time and many parents in this area would appreciate the option instead of a $1 million tear-down.
Let’s get a group together with our elected officials and get the discussion going. Maybe the Chamber and light a fire as well.
Attention Ward 6 Councilors – what a great issue for you to get behind!