The city plans to install 86 new bicycle racks in Newton parks and village centers next year — at almost no cost to Newton — providing 262 new spaces for bicycle parking.

The $20,000 cost of the racks will be reimbursed through the Regional Bike Parking Program administered by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). The program’s funding comes from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.

Bikes line a handrail at the Highland T Station.

[Read more →]

CNN Money’s new “list of America’s best small cities” places Newton in the number three spot.

Downsides: Traffic and the cost of housing.

Upsides: Mass transit and village centers, “Less than 45 minutes from downtown Boston via train, subway, or express bus, Newton is divided into 13 “villages” loaded with classic New England charm. Most have pedestrian-friendly shopping districts, parks, and playgrounds.”

I just got word that this week the Mayor is finalizing the membership of his new Transportation Advisory Committee.  If you care about Newton’s quality of life, and if you’re knowledgeable or simply interested in transportation, this is an opportunity you should consider.

From the City:

Have a special interest or expertise in transportation and want to serve your community? Let us know! Mayor Warren is establishing a new Transportation Advisory Committee and Newton residents are needed to assess the City’s accommodations for all modes of transportation including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit users, and motorists and will recommend ways to improve the infrastructure for all ages and abilities. For more information, please contact Andrew Warner, Community Outreach Coordinator, at 617-796-1103 or email your resume and/or letter of interest to awarner@newtonma.gov.

On Tuesday night, Newton-based New England Development presented its proposal for redeveloping the site on Route 9 where the closed Omni Foods and other vacant buildings stand.

The proposed site plan, with a one-story building bordering Route 9 (at top) and additional retail and medical office space at center, two surface lots, a parking garage (bottom left), and a residential building at left. Click to enlarge.

The Chestnut Hill Square development, if completed as planned, would add 105,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, 60,000 square feet of medical office space, a 50,000 square foot grocery store, and a 30,000-square-foot health club. The complex would also include 90 residential units (condos or apartments), which could be built at the same time or as a second phase. Approximately 900 parking spaces in two surface lots and a 4-level parking garage would serve the complex. [Read more →]

The developers of the Riverside T station have rescheduled the community meeting that was recently canceled.  The next meeting will be held on Thursday June 17, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the Williams school.  (Map & directions here.)

This meeting will benefit from the recently released traffic study completed by the developer’s consultant, VHB.

For more information, visit http://www.riversidestation.info, the site of the Riverside Station Neighborhood Coalition:  the Lower Falls Improvement Association, the Lasell Neighborhood Association, and the Auburndale Community Association.

At 7:30 p.m. tonight (12/3), BH Normandy will be presenting proposals to neighbors for a mixed-use development of at least 600,000 square feet. Please come tonight if you can. The hearing will be held at the old Emerson School, 545 Grove Street, Newton.

Details from an earlier news story: ”The real estate group BH Normandy proposed a development that would include 420,000 square feet of office space, 60,000 square feet of retail space and 190 residential units (which, at a size of 750 square feet apiece, would add another 140,000 square feet to the site). The plan also does not include space for parking garages.”

Source:  Newton TAB

Plans dated 12/10/09:  Option A, Option B.