Framingham's Mt. Wayte Plaza (Concord, Dennis: fit in, 2014, homes)

[papaya21]

One plaza at a time =D

FRAMINGHAM - The owner of Mt. Wayte Plaza has filed plans to redevelop the largely vacant strip mall, bring in new restaurants and retailers and call it "Uptown."

The project is a long time coming for town leaders and neighbors, who clapped and "oohed" when Sam Adams shared his conceptual plans at a public meeting in September.

Framingham's Mt. Wayte Plaza going*'Uptown' - News - MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA - Framingham, MA

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by papaya21

One plaza at a time =D

Once a bustling plaza with a Price Chopper, the only businesses there now are Dunkin' Donuts, Maenzo's Hair Design and a St. Vincent de Paul retail store and donation center.

This should probably be moved to the regular Mass forum, but I thought there was also a TD Bank and Subway there. Anyway I agree, the parking lot always seems so expansive and empty. Would be nice if they scaled down the new development and landscaped the property to fit in with the rest of the residential neighborhood.

Now if only they will do something about the Nobscot shopping plaza up the street which is even more run down than Mt. Wayte.

[MikePRU]

That's great news. Mt. Wayte and Nobscot Plazas are two of the most depressing spots in town. One down, one to go!

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by papaya21

One plaza at a time =D

FRAMINGHAM - The owner of Mt. Wayte Plaza has filed plans to redevelop the largely vacant strip mall, bring in new restaurants and retailers and call it "Uptown."

The project is a long time coming for town leaders and neighbors, who clapped and "oohed" when Sam Adams shared his conceptual plans at a public meeting in September.

Framingham's Mt. Wayte Plaza going*'Uptown' - News - MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA - Framingham, MA

Very feasible given the plaza's location behind the rapidly developing Framingham State campus.

Both the area behind Framingham State aroud Maple Street and Warren Street neighborhood nearby across Union Avenue are hidden away gems full of attractive period homes. I can see all of these areas connecting to one another, along with the campus and eventually the town center, with some decent eating places and shops as a hub.

[papaya21]

@Parsec -- you are correct about where I posted this thread. Ooops =D

@MikePRU and 495neighbor -- I do think this will make downtown become better over time. FSC influence over this area will only get bigger!

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by papaya21

@MikePRU and 495neighbor -- I do think this will make downtown become better over time. FSC influence over this area will only get bigger!

I'm not sure I would call this area part of downtown, but in my heart I do hope you're right. Framingham as a town has a lot of potential and could be a very sought after place to live if the town government got it's act together.

[Parsec]

Originally Posted by MikePRU

I'm not sure I would call this area part of downtown, but in my heart I do hope you're right. Framingham as a town has a lot of potential and could be a very sought after place to live if the town government got it's act together.

Unfortunately that's never going to happen until Framingham votes to incorporate as a city. It's simply too large for a town government. I'm sure you heard all about the whole sewer main replacement fiasco that's brought unbearable traffic to the area over the past couple years. They dropped the ball after MA DEP mandated East Framingham replace all their sewer mains years ago and then had to scramble to replace them all at once when they realized the deadline was fast approaching.

Originally Posted by 495neighbor

Both the area behind Framingham State aroud Maple Street and Warren Street neighborhood nearby across Union Avenue are hidden away gems full of attractive period homes. I can see all of these areas connecting to one another, along with the campus and eventually the town center, with some decent eating places and shops as a hub.

There are also 2 ponds in this area: Farm Pond and Learned Pond. I know Learned Pond has a town beach which is accessible from Dennison. Does anyone know if the larger Farm Pond offers any recreational activities? It would be a perfect place for a kayak launch.

[495neighbor]

Originally Posted by MikePRU

I'm not sure I would call this area part of downtown, but in my heart I do hope you're right. Framingham as a town has a lot of potential and could be a very sought after place to live if the town government got it's act together.

Mike is correct. None of thes areas are within the downtown, they are more part of the center.

The downtown is the area on Concord Street closer to the tracks, MCI, Beaver Street. It is really a small area.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by 495neighbor

The downtown is the area on Concord Street closer to the tracks, MCI, Beaver Street. It is really a small area.

I usually identify downtown as the area near the Rt 126/Rt 135 intersection but it's probably really more specifically the area where Rt 126 (Concord St) meets Union Street.

[papaya21]

@MikePRU & @495neighbor agreed. It's my belief that FSC is expanding more in that direction and hopefully it spreads further towards Beaver and the shops in and around downtown...