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Wednesday, May 7,2008
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The Hometown Site
Paradise in Our Own Back Yard
The
fact that most of the river’s green corridor is surrounded by public
parkland makes it easier for the MRWG to fulfill its vision. However,
among the privately owned portions of the river, there’s at least one
significant site that’s been the source of some dissent. The Hometown
site, a former gas station on the corner of North and Cambridge avenues
that’s long been a derelict eyesore, is located right on the east bank
of the river. The Mandel Group purchased it, and its future uses may
include retail areas as well as residential units or a hotel.
The
location is significant as a gateway both for the river (it currently
provides an important visual link and access point to the river trails
from North Avenue) and to the North Avenue commercial corridor.
“Because it’s such a major gateway and it’s in such a blighted
condition, we want the highest and best use of that property—from a
design standpoint," said Jim Plaisted, who represents the site.
He
said that he and the MRWGmeet eye to eye on access to the river. “It
should be part and parcel of any development plan,” he said. The
developer and the MRWG also seem to agree on the nature of potential
redevelopment. According to Brummitt, the Mandel Group’s proposals have
thus far not run contrary to all of MRWG’s goals. “I think the Mandel
Group do see the value of this river corridor,” Brummitt said. “Their
residences are going be one of the prime beneficiaries. In fact, we
even have one of the condo associations as part of the River Work Group
and it’s a Mandel condo association … these condo-owners are going to
want to run and canoe as much as anybody else.”
So where does
the problem lie? “Where we differ is at the nitty-gritty things like
building height,” Brummitt said, adding that she feels like it’s
something that could be worked through. “I don't think it’s restricting
them too much, and we just can’t sit around and wait for them to come
up with plans. I think there's a growing impatience on the part of
residents who really want this.”
Photo by Rick Ryerson
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