Newton’s divisive Austin street debate of 2015 and Orr Block debate of 2017 reflected the many diverse interests and agendas each side had as well as the agendas each assumed the other side had. Reflecting on the months of discussion and public comment, it is easy to enumerate over 30 interests on each side.
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Category: Austin Street
Rationale for the delay in Walnut Street Improvements?
Independent of the Austin Street Project, Walnut Street is slated for an improvement project. During the Austin Street hearing process it was frequently suggested that the businesses would be better served by doing the Walnut improvements first at it would make the streetscape more attractive to customers during the construction period and that they plentiful and directly adjacent parking right off Bram Way would help offset on street parking lost during the work.
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Analysis of the Austin Street Partners Pro Forma
Below is the Austin Street Partners Pro Forma submitted to the city and Board of Alderman in September 2015. It formed the basis for assessing whether the city was getting a fair deal in terms of affordable units and land price. Continue reading “Analysis of the Austin Street Partners Pro Forma”
A response to Rob Gifford’s 03Oct2015 editorial on Austin St. finances
Some comments on Rob Gifford’s Newton Tab editorial in support of Austin St. Proposal: Continue reading “A response to Rob Gifford’s 03Oct2015 editorial on Austin St. finances”
Does Austin St. Meet the Special Permit Criteria?
The public convenience and welfare is NOT SERVED. Specifically:
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A Response to Andy Levin’s 1Dec2015 Editorial in the Tab
Some comments on Andy Levin’s December 1st Editorial in the Tab: “Time to Build on Austin St.,” with the editorial in bold:
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Photos from the March 2015 Austin St. Information Session
The City of Newton organized an information session on the planned sale of the Austin St. parking lot to real estate developers at Newton North High School on Sunday.
Continue reading “Photos from the March 2015 Austin St. Information Session”