Hello LincolnTalkers, I wish to applaud all those who have taken the time to revisit and question the financial pros and cons of building a community center at this time, and thanks particularly to those who have recently commented on the advisability of building it at the Hartwell site.
I fully support building a new facility, but it has long been my opinion that such a major investment by the town should be deployed where it is most needed - namely in the Lincoln Station area. For more than ten years since Town Meeting approved the Comprehensive Long Range Plan, in which the revitalization of Lincoln Station was overwhelmingly one of the highest priorities, the area has lain dormant and in serious need of a catalyst to jumpstart its transformation into the compact, vital, walkable village center that was a stated goal at the time. A community center in such a location would be the equivalent of an anchor store in a retail setting, and by virtue of attracting more people on a regular basis, it would create more opportunities for a clustered cross-current of activities spawning greater social interaction. In my opinion, it would constitute the classic suburban planning error to create a new center that stands alone like the suburban mall accessible only by car. In addition, because of school protocols, there would be very limited inter-generational co-mingling until after school hours, if at all. And, even if there weren’t a greater awareness about the effects of climate change, wouldn’t it make far more sense to locate a community center where there are already other crucial services such as the post office, grocery store, cleaners, a cafe and restaurant, etc.? If the vote for more funding fails at the Special Town Meeting next Wednesday evening, November 30th, I urge residents, the Selects and the Planning Board to seriously reconsider Lincoln Station as the location that would best serve the interests and greater good of the town going forward. Thank you for all those who have weighed in on this discussion. Respectfully, Ken Hurd Lifting the Human Spirit by Design 781-259-3300 781-259-8900 cell www.keha.com > On Nov 25, 2022, at 1:02 PM, John F. Carr <[email protected]> wrote: > > I just skimmed over the 2015 report which is the foundation for what > we are discussing. > > That report tried to steer people away from the Lincoln Station area. > One of the six options was to build on the commuter rail parking lot > and include an underground parking garage (the most expensive kind of > parking) to make up for lost parking. Since then COVID killed > commuter rail. The parking lot is just another town-owned vacant lot. > > When you take the cost of an underground garage out of the picture, > the commuter rail parking lot becomes the cheapest building site (in > 2015 dollars, and including the cost of renovating Hartwell facilities > that don't move). It has the advantage of being near shops, Codman, > and Lincoln Woods. We might end up with a community center rather > than a place one drives to and drives home from. > > On Fri, Nov 25, 2022 at 10:16 AM Margaret P Flint > <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> How about this idea for the Community Center: the building at the Mall at >> Lincoln Station now occupied by Something Special and Lincoln Dog Training. >> >> Several things in its favor: >> >> -It is across the street from Ryan Estates Greenridge, and adjacent >> to Lincoln Woods. >> >> -There are two restaurants adjacent which would eliminate the need >> for a food preparation area, a significant cost. >> >> -Also, there is a grocery store right there, which would allow users >> to double up on car trips. >> >> -There is ample parking. >> >> There are two downsides that I can think of. I’m sure there are more. >> >> - Something Special would need to move. But I see a for rent sign >> across the street. Perhaps the cost of moving Something Special could be >> built into the cost of renovating for a Community Center. The dog training >> facility is also there, but it is my understanding that most >> of that work takes place outside the building. >> >> -The Rural Land Foundation would lose rent revenue. >> >> Thoughts? >> >> >> >> >> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >> Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >
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