Senator Brownsberger and Representative Rogers sent a letter in support of Belmont’s application for a MassWorks grant for the Belmont Center Streetscape Improvements Project:
September 11, 2014
Victoria Maquire
MassWorks Infrastructure Program
Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
1 Ashburton Place, Room 2101
Boston, MA 02108Dear Ms. Maguire,
We are writing in strong support of the application of the Town of Belmont for a 2014 MassWorks Infrastructure Program grant for the Belmont Center Streetscape Improvements Project.
The approximately 60,000 square foot former Macy’s space at 71-89 Leonard Street provides an opportunity for the landlord to gut and renovate the building for one or more anchor tenants, with the remaining spaces being rented to small and medium retail tenants.
The infrastructure project outlined in Belmont’s application will be beneficial to this private project as well as the general needs of the town by adding 10 additional parking spaces and improving pedestrian traffic mobility with widening sidewalks and constructing safer crossings. A Parking Management plan will be implemented which will benefit the private developers as well and other businesses in the Center. These well planned infrastructure improvements will lead to increased economic success for all the Center’s businesses in terms of job creation and retention.
There is also the future possibility that with the proposed streetscape improvements, a multifamily housing redevelopment at the former Belmont Municipal Light building on Concord Avenue could be built at this potential Transit Oriented Development location. This building is close to the Belmont Center Station on the Fitchburg line and to the end point of two bus lines, the #74 and #75 to Harvard Square.
The Town of Belmont has made a substantial investment in the past few years in planning, design and utility construction and we hope that MassWorks will find the remainder of the project worthy of support.
Sincerely,
William N. Brownsberger David M. Rogers
STATE SENATOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE
You can view an original copy of the letter here.
Barbara Miranda
Chief of Staff
Office of State Senator William N. Brownsberger