From Dave "Nostradamus" Brigham:
Turns out, I don't know anything about suburban planning. In late 2015 I wrote about efforts in Maynard, Mass., a town of just over 10,000 located 22 miles west of Boston, to develop a former Digital Equipment Corp. property (see November 8, 2015, "This Town Ain't Big Enough"). In my conclusion of that post, I wrote: "It's hard, though, to see a way in which the small city can also support numerous other retailers just a short drive/long walk out of town, at Maynard Crossing." This was in reference to what I viewed as too much competition for consumers' dollars at the former Digital site and in the nearby downtown, which at that time had numerous vacant storefronts, in addition to a recently cleared-out mill complex that also once was a Digital Equipment site.
Three-plus years later, development is under way at the former Digital site, as evidenced by this photo I took recently.
In the background of this photo are residential units under construction. Known as Maynard Crossing, the development is slated to include a mix of retail, restaurants, a bank, a grocery store, a fitness center and 300 residential units. The explorer in me would love to have seen this site left to decay, or, failing that, to have been returned to nature. But that doesn't pay the town's tax bills.
I'm happy to report that the former downtown mill complex -- where job search company Monster.com vacated in recent years -- is showing signs of life. Known as Mill & Main Place, the development is being overseen by Artemis Real Estate Partners and Saracen Properties. To date, the partners have completed "upgraded landscaping and hardscaping, base building work, lobby renovations, upgraded security features, a new 6,000 SF fitness center with lockers and showers, a 24/7 mini-mart and the creation of wayfinding signage throughout the site," per this press release masquerading as a news story.
Keep your eyes peeled for a future post featuring lots of shots of downtown Maynard and Mill & Main.
No comments:
Post a Comment