Development

First Phase of Mall Renovation Approved, Questions on Meeting Green Goal Remain

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The Watertown Planning Board voted Tuesday night to approve the first phase of the renovation of the former Arsenal Mall, which includes the two historic buildings, but developers said they may not be able to meet the energy efficiency goals without impacting the historic look. This part of the Arsenal Yards project focuses on Building A (where Marshall’s and the food court are located) and Building E (Old Navy and Golfsmith). Meanwhile, the addition made in the 1980s which connects the two large historic building will be demolished, said Project Manager Jeff Heidelberg of Boylston Properties. Building A will have two stories, and include a new glassed main entrance near Chipotle. Another entrance will be created on the east end of the building, which will open into what developers have dubbed the River Green.

Development

Developers of Arsenal Yards Want Deal With Town to Cap Property Taxes

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The developers behind the renovation of the Arsenal Mall have asked Town officials for something that has never been given in Watertown – a cap on the amount of property taxes. Bill McQuillan, principal of Boylston Properties, sent Town Council President Mark Sideris a letter last week requesting a “tax certainty” deal with the town. On Tuesday night, the Town Council referred the request to two subcommittees – Budget and Fiscal Oversight and Economic Development and Planning. Representatives from Boyslton and The Wilder Cos. said they need the certainty to get the funding required to pay for the $400 million project.

Arsenal Mall

Developers Creating Guidelines for Arsenal Yards, Must be Approved by Planning Board

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Developers of the Arsenal Yards announced plans to renovated the oldest buildings in the current Arsenal Mall to bring new life to them while adding a look reminiscent of the past. However, the anchor tenants will get more leeway to diverge from the historic look. Representatives from Boylston Properties, The Wilder Cos. and their design team discussed their plans for the first phase of the Arsenal Yards project at a Community Meeting on Thursday night. This phase includes the renovation of Building A (where Marshall’s is located) and Building E (which now houses Old Navy).

Arsenal Mall

Redevelopment of Arsenal Mall Now Includes a 145-Room Hotel

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The firms behind the redevelopment of the Arsenal Mall have added a 145-room hotel along Arsenal Street to their plans. Boylston Properties announced that they plan to put a Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton in what is known as Building B in their master plan for what is now called Arsenal Yards. Jeff Heidelberg, project manager for Boylston Properties, said that the hotel is replacing what was originally planned to be a 79-unit residential building. The difference in the number of hotel rooms compared to residential units is because hotel rooms are smaller than the apartments. Town Council President Mark Sideris said in the announcement that he welcomes the hotel and Steve Magoon, the Assistant Town Manager and Community Development and Planning Director, said it adds to the economic diversity of the project.

Development

First Phase of Arsenal Mall Renovation to be Discussed at Community Meeting

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Developers planning the renovation of the Arsenal Mall will discuss the first phase of the project during a Community Meeting on Thursday evening. Boylston Properties and The Wilder Companies will host the meeting where they will review Phase 1 of the Arsenal Yards master plan. “The purpose of this meeting will be to present and discuss the final layout and design of Building’s A and E, and discuss the operation of the property during construction,” said the meeting announcement. The master plan was approved by the Planning Board in January after nearly a year of discussions and meetings. Both buildings in Phase 1 were part of the original Watertown Arsenal.

Environment

Conservation Commission Looking at Stormwater, Path Projects at Arsenal Mall

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Representatives from the owners of the Arsenal Yards will appear for the second time before the Conservation Commission this week seeking approval for a path and a stormwater system which would change the landscape and require removing and replacing trees in the area. The Conservation Commission meets Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in the Lower Hearing Room in Town Hall. They will discuss the project that would be within the 200-foot buffer from the Charles River, which falls under the Conservation Commission’s authority. Approximately 58,000 of land would be temporarily impacted by stormwater and regrading work located in the northwest corner of the parking lot. The area does not have stormwater treatment, currently.

Arsenal Mall

Planning Board Approves Master Plan for Renovating Arsenal Mall

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The new look for the Arsenal Mall, which includes added retail and hundreds of residential units, received the approval from the Planning Board Wednesday night. 

The Arsenal Yards, as the mall will be known, was in front of the Planning Board for the third time, and the board voted unanimously to approve the master plan. Many supported the plan, but some had questions about the traffic and the size of the building in the project. The project adds more than 100,000 sq. ft. of commercial or retail space, and 503 apartments or condos, some of which will be in a 12-story building.

Development

LETTER: Town Councilor Worries Mall Will Change Character of East End

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Dear Chairman Hawes and Members of the Planning Board,

To put this quite simply, Watertown has not seen a development of this magnitude in recent history; a city within a city with amenities galore for its prospective residents. The urban sprawl associated with this development will change the character of the East End of Watertown and community-at-large for generations to come. Due to a prior commitment, I will be unable to attend the Planning Board Hearing on Dec. 14, 2016, rescheduled from Nov. 29, 2016.  For numerous months, many residents and I have been sharing our thoughts, comments and many concerns at neighborhood meetings and at the Special Planning Board Hearing on Oct.