Transit-Oriented Development Workshop as Part of Dowtown Framingham Vision

The Town of Framingham has a vision for the redevelopment of Downtown Framingham, and the vision includes transit-oriented development.

Transit-oriented development includes a mixture of housing, office, retail and/or other amenities integrated into a walk-able neighborhood close to public transportation. Transit-oriented development creates better access to jobs, housing and opportunity for people of all ages and incomes.

The Town of Framingham is holding three workshops for the public.

They are:

• Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Framingham Public Library (49 Lexington Street)
• Wednesday, April 1 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Framingham Public Library (49 Lexington Street)
• Thursday, April 2 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Blumer Room, Memorial Building (150 Concord Street)

Future Town planning and investment activities will aim to:

• Optimize land uses by encouraging high density development in Downtown to take better advantage of existing infrastructure: especially Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) Framingham commuter rail service from Downtown Framingham to Worcester and Boston and the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) public transit system.
• Support existing Framingham businesses with housing options attractive to their workers and current needs. Support multi-cultural businesses and attract new office and retail enterprises to strengthen a unique urban experience in Downtown that provides for residents and visitors by encouraging a mix of uses while respecting the character of the historic buildings and urban fabric.
• Promote reinvestment and redevelopment of existing housing stock and create opportunities for new investment to increase housing in Downtown and provide more residential types for a diversity of incomes.
• Provide increased tree canopy, passive open space, and active parks, and enhance linkages to natural resource areas, including Farm Pond and Cushing Memorial Park, for environmental sustainability and community health.

The Framingham Planning Board held a public hearing on Thursday, March 26.

The Town of Framingham and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) requested that the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) develop an implementation plan for Downtown Framingham that would outline actionable steps transforming Downtown Framingham into a vibrant live, work and play environment that would capitalize on the transportation assets located within the Downtown area.

To learn more about Metropolitan Area Planning Council’s role in the transformation of Downtown Framingham, please visit the Metropolitan Area Planning Council website.

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