MEDC showcases downtown redevelopment plans

Marlborough, MASS. July 18, 2014 – Mixed-use developments, redesigned buildings, and a parking permit program are among the major proposed changes showcased at last night’s Downtown Marlborough Open House.

About 80 city officials, residents, and business owners came out to the Masonic Hall at 8 Newton Street to learn about the new downtown Marlborough zoning recommendations that could serve as the long-term vision for the area’s future development and design.

Organized by the Marlborough Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), in collaboration with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), the event offered attendees a self-guided tour of the major downtown rezoning elements, including Uses, Parking, Dimensions, Design Criteria, and Overall Conceptual Development.

MEDC and MAPC staff used presentations and conceptual renderings of the future design of downtown Marlborough to showcase the details of the proposed changes.

“We wanted to give people the opportunity to see what we’ve been working on all these months,” said MEDC Executive Director Tim Cummings. “But it is important for everyone to remember that nothing is written in stone yet. The purpose of the open house was to show the people of Marlborough what we have done so far, and to use the opportunity to get their feedback. Based on this feedback, we will continue amending the recommendations until they are as close to perfect as we can get them.”

For the past three months, MEDC and MAPC have been facilitating a series of working group meetings, bringing together city officials, business leaders, and local residents to openly discuss and review the details of the proposed changes to downtown Marlborough.

“Everyone has been very involved and invested in the process from the start,” said Marlborough City Councilor and Urban Affairs Committee Chair Joe Delano. “We have consulted a great number of people–experts, developers, officials, business owners, residents–and the result is, I think, a very thorough and well-thought-out set of proposed changes. Ultimately, we hope that these changes will spur downtown development and attract more new businesses to the area, which would, in turn, create a vibrant downtown for the city’s residents and help companies gain and retain talented employees.”

Once the downtown working group finalizes its version of the recommendations, it will pass them on to the City Council for approval. The Urban Affairs Committee will then review and vote on the proposed changes, before they can become part of municipal law.

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