On Thursday, July 20, approximately fifty people filed into the former Saco Pettee Mill building (c. 1896) at 156 Oak Street in Newton Upper Falls to view a range of plans, project renderings, construction updates, and project photographs for the Northland Newton Development (NND) project. Michael Medeiros, NND Associate Vice President for Construction, hosted the event. Jay Werb, who represents the Upper Falls Area Council on the NND Liaison Committee, had requested a tour for the Area Council and any other interested community members. A majority of the nine members of the Upper Falls Area Council joined local residents and project staff to hear the presentation, ask questions, and tour the construction site of the 22.7-acre development. The Saco Pettee Mill building, currently a large, open space supported by columns, will become Northland Development’s offices and will serve as office space for other businesses as well.
Mr. Medeiros noted that the project has completed about ten months of its anticipated two-year site preparation — i.e, laying of water mains, sewer lines and electrical and telecom duct banks (which will be underground, thereby eliminating external lines) — and he anticipates that the entire project would likely take five to seven years. He estimated that occupancy was likely to begin in 32 to 33 months. Where possible, the construction process includes grinding up existing concrete and other old materials and combining them with new building elements to be used around foundations and as part of the base under the streets.
City Councilor Deb Crossley, who is the Chair of the City Council’s Zoning and Planning Committee and a NND Liaison Committee member, also joined the site tour. All the participants were provided hard hats and bright yellow construction-site vests. Councilor Crossley noted that Northland is removing “unsuitable soil” and invasive species from the site. She particularly praised the “daylighting” or opening-up of the South Meadow Brook, which will be preserved as part of the open space. And she explained that the construction team has placed barriers around the brook to protect it from construction site runoff. Councilor Crossley lives in Ward 5 — where the Northland Development is located — and has toured the site and written two updates for the Council. (Councilor Holly Ryan also serves on the Liaison Committee.) As an architect, Councilor Crossley has had a particular interest in the project, which she described as “in my backyard.”
Kent Gonzales, Northland Newton Vice President in charge of Development, said that a new city water main connection has already “been installed between Tower Road and Oak Street” with a connection to Mechanic Street. The aim is to complete the site preparation before beginning “vertical construction.” In addition to the ten acres of open space, the project will include pedestrian and bicycle connections to the adjacent Greenway.
The vast property will host fourteen buildings, including 800 apartment units of which 140 will be affordable and 1,600 parking places of which 10% will include electric car chargers. Plans call for a “splash park” and community playground as part of the property’s “green space.” According to Northland’s website: “Leveraging the proximity to the MBTA, NND will also include a free shuttle service to the Newton Highlands Green Line transit station,” which is over a mile from the project.
For Julie Irish, longtime Upper Falls resident and Area Council member, the tour was a reminder “of the vastness of the project,” which she had opposed. At the same time, she regards the daylighting of South Meadow Brook a positive feature. “We have asked to see 3D models of the project, but we’ve been told it was too hard. I have trouble imagining the density,” she said. The tour contributes to “transparency and openness,” which she feels is important to the community. “Having seen the space will help people understand what to expect as the project progresses,” she said.
In addition to the Upper Falls Area Council members, representatives from the nearby Waban and Newton Highlands area councils joined the meeting. Rena Getz, Chair of the Waban Area Council, credited Jay Werb for suggesting the tour and notifying other Area Councils. She underscored the important role Area Councils play in facilitating community engagement. Of the tour, she particularly praised Mr. Medeiros for discussing the site’s history as a mill.
Jeremy Freudberg, President of the Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council, was particularly impressed by the complexity of the project.
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