University Station Discussions Ongoing, Plans to Come

Developers for the project met with the Westwood Planning Board Tuesday to discuss ways to approach zoning in the University Avenue area.

While officials in Westwood have yet to see the full details of what's to come for the University Station project, discussions on the approach of the project are moving along at an appropriate pace.  Developers met with the Westwood Planning Board Tuesday night to discuss how the proposal process would resume moving forward.  The basis of the discussion, according to Westwood Planning Board Chair Jack Wiggin, was the approach for the review process that the developers are proposing. It was the second time developers discussed the matter with the Planning Board since initially presenting the overall plans for the project on June 12.  "We had given them some initial feedback, and they came in and were pretty responsive," Wiggin said. "In …

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MBTA Modifies Commuter Rail Surcharge Plan

The move comes one day after 49 state legislators asked the agency to reconsider its plans to add $3 for all tickets purchased aboard trains.

Commuter rail passengers won't all face a $3 surcharge when buying tickets aboard trains after all. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority announced Thursday it has modified that policy, which is to start on Sunday, July 1. (Full details on the MBTA fare hikes can be found here.) Instead, the surcharge will apply only on inbound fares from stations selling tickets, and on outbound fares "from South Station, Back Bay or North Station or Zone 1A stations with ticket sales," Massachusetts Department of Transportation Legislative Director Jefferson Smith told state legislators and their staff in an e-mail today. Wednesday, 49 legislators asked the MBTA to reconsider its plan to apply the surcharge to all commuter rail tickets purchased…

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University Station Developers Reveal Plans, Eye 2013 Start Date

Target and Wegmans are still among interested tenants, but the project will be substantially smaller in size.

It may resemble Westwood Station, but University Station will be something different for the town of Westwood. That's what developers of the renamed project are aiming for, at least.   Representatives for New England Development and Eastern Real Estate, as well as others involved with the project, gave a brief overview of what they hope to bring to Westwood in the area of University Avenue during a pre-application meeting with the Westwood Planning Board Tuesday night. "We're really excited to be back here and we're looking forward to getting something done," said Steven Fischman, President of New England Development, which was originally involved in the Westwood Station proposal. Target and Wegmans, both of which were interested in taking…

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K

9:03 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013

Stubmytoe-just because you haven't seen three kids living in a condo in Westwood doesn't mean it won't happen. I would do it if I couldn't afford a house in the town. Stay as long as my kids got a good education. People like myself overpaid for a house just to get into the schools. Could have had an amazing house in Dedham or Norwood for less. People will do anything for their kids.   more ›

Developers to Present Plans for University Station

The Planning Board will meet with developers on June 12 for an informal public meeting on the revamped project.

Plans are beginning to materialze for University Station. Developers for the newly-revamped project have requested a pre-application meeting with the Westwood Planning Board next week. The meeting, to be held at the Thurston Middle School cafeteria on June 12 at 7:30 p.m., will feature an informal discussion between developers of the project and the Planning Board. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting, which will include discussions as well as the potential unveiling of a high-level concept plan for University Station, according to Westwood Economic Development Officer Chris McKeown "The developer wanted to come in and talk about the process and scheduling," McKeown told the Westwood Board of Selectmen Monday night.  McKeown …

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Week in Review

Brush Fires, Water Restrictions and the Boston Marathon

A look back at the week in Westwood news.

Things ended on a hot and dry note this week in Westwood as a much-needed rain was forecasted to arrive by Sunday.  Westwood fire crews responded to a three-acre brush fire in the woods behind Morgan Farm Road on Wednesday. The blaze, fire officials said, was sparked from a camp fire that is currently being investigated. No injuries or property damage were reported. Less than a day later, Westwood officials assisted those in Dedham to help contain a brush fire that scorched at least 20 acres near University Avenue. The dry weather this week also prompted the Dedham-Westwood Water District to implement voluntary water restrictions to residents in both towns, nearly two months ahead of normal. In other news, Monday also marked the 116th …

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Officials Respond to New 'University Station' Project

An initial phase of the project is expected to open in 2014, according to an announcement last week.

In theory, by 2014, an initial phase of what was once known as Westwood Station could be finalized and open to the public.  That's the plan, at least, according to an announcement last Friday in which involved entities renamed the project University Station.  The new partnership of New England Development, Eastern Real Estate, National Development/Charles River Realty Investors and Clarion Partners have opted to acquire 130 acres in town to develop the mixed-use project, which will include space for retail, housing, office and hotel use.  While no formal plans have been brought to the Westwood Planning Board or other committees, officials this week said they were excited that the project has regained some steam and are eager to engage in …

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Matt Perkins

3:39 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012

Hi Erin - I'll be sure to keep everyone posted on updates and development plans as things move forward!   more ›

New 'University Station' Project in the Works

News on a new form of the Westwood Station project came late Friday afternoon.

In two years time, Westwood could see the long-standing Westwood Station project come to fruition.  The first phase of the newly-dubbed "University Station" project is expected to be completed in 2014, according to an announcement made late Friday afternoon.  A partnership between New England Development, Eastern Real Estate, National Development/Charles River Realty Investors and Clarion Partners is working to acquire 130 acres of Westwood to develop the mixed-use development project to include retail, housing, office and hotel use, according to Friday's announcement.  The team involved is working on the initial stages of crafting a proposed master plan to submit to Westwood officials. Westwood Patch will provide more information on the …

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Mary Masi-Phelps

12:07 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012

On your question about the schools and state aid: If you have it handy (and I hope you'll be bringing it to Town Meeting tonight :)) - refer to the Education Subcommittee report in the FinCom report to the Town (starts on p. 8). The school budget submitted to the Town at Town Meeting is just under $35 million. Most of that ($30.6 million) is funded by the local property tax base, and the …   more ›

Visions for Vacancies in Westwood: What Should Fill University Ave. Space?

A frequent look at vacant store fronts or open spaces in the community.

In this new feature, we'll be asking you what kinds of businesses you'd like to see fill various vacancies in Westwood. Through Visions for Vacancies, you can have your say and sound off on what a vacant business property should become before plans are drawn. Westwood Patch will highlight a vacant building or structure in the Westwood community frequently each month or as vacancies become available. This week we turn to a large open space on University Avenue. The road is the site of the long-stalled Westwood Station project, and while the matter is a contentious one in Westwood, we're wondering what you would use this space for if you had your say. What would you want to go there? A grocery store? A large chain restaurant? Let us know …

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Protesters Rally Against MBTA Cuts, Pack Meeting

More than 400 people turned out for the MBTA public hearing Monday.

The proposed MBTA fare hikes fall disproportionally on the elderly, disabled, student and low income population, many people said at a packed-to-capacity public hearing Monday night.  Following an Occupy Boston rally at Copley Square hundreds of people - many of them college students - flowed into the Boston Public Library. They filled the 342-seat auditorium and 110-seat overflow room by 6:05 p.m. "Some people got here at 4:30," a library worker said. Officials began turning away at least 100 people lined up inside the foyer, and promised to add more public hearings to the already lengthy list. "If we try to raise the fare the way we are now, there won't be more money," said Back Bay resident Elliot Laffer. "There will be a failed …

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Officials, Residents React to Potential MBTA Cuts

A potential hike in fares and cuts in service could affect residents and commuters.

A bumpy road lies ahead for commuters in Westwood.  Recently-proposed changes in service and fees by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority could leave both riders of the train or bus, as well as commuters who drive into Boston, in a tight spot.   Currently the MBTA is facing a fiscal crisis - a $161 million gap in the budget for Fiscal Year 2013 - that is leaving the organization to weigh two options. One is fare increases, the other is cuts in service.  "It's a troubling thing to see occur," said Westwood Town Administrator Mike Jaillet. "It is heading in the very direction of where we believe we shouldn't be heading." But despite the proposed changes, the MBTA is looking at other solutions to avoid such measures, and is urging …

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