Dunstan Road

[Donna Cvitkovich-Milet]

Hello neighbors,

I  am wondering what is happening to the land on  the corner of Dunstan Rd and Washington Street.  It is frustrating that the builder is allowed to leave it looking like that for so long.  Dunstan Road is also in horrible condition! I honestly feel it is getting to be impossible to drive on it without a robust suv. Does anyone know what is going on?  

Thanks 

Donna 

--

Donna Cvitkovich

[Nancy Mazzapica]

Marc Development recently sold the property to another developer

--
If you'd like to be added to this discussion group, visit this group at the link below, or simply send email to gswi...@alum.mit.edu with your name and affiliation with West Newton.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "West Newton Community" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to westnewtonneighbo...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAGNNkzf--7JvkV%2BaDUm711BgnSmzR3J9X4HXhp%2BT9q_QKD0aBw%40mail.gmail.com.

[didi_614]

Yes I heard that too - I heard he sold it to an out of state  Developer.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAH1%3DK6Dy5kGXX7BK%2BaHM%3DTGP0vm9%3D-JhrXmF%3D8PSCuc%2BAcJx1A%40mail.gmail.com.

[Julia Anne Malakie]

A timely question, as I was just about to update people on this, although it's a rather indefinite update.

On September 5, at the first Dunstan East Liaison Committee meeting since January (because there had been nothing to update the abutters on), the abutter members, Pam Wright and I, and the Mark Development people were joined by Eli Pechthold and two other representatives of Garden Communities/Garden Homes Development, a New Jersey based company that develops and owns large housing projects.

If my notes are correct, Mr. Pechthold oversees their New England division. He said the company is the biggest developer of multifamily in the country, with properties on the East Coast and in Florida, 55,000 units in the U.S., including recently 384 units at Aspen Regency in Billerica which was a 40B. 

We were told they would be buying Dunstan East from Mark Development. At that time, the sale was expected to close on September 21, and they wanted to start work on the site in October, November at the latest. They intended to build the project almost 100% as planned.

Robert Korff said that Mark Development was not prepared to start this year, but Garden Homes was prepared to start after closing. Damien Chaviano of Mark Development explained that Garden Homes uses all its own capital, so they could expedite. (Mark Development in contrast relies on outside investors.) Garden Homes is also its own general contractor.

However, the sale did not happen on September 21 and has not yet happened, and we were just informed yesterday in an email from Mark Development VP Scott Lombardi that the closing has been changed to the end of December. I asked why the delay. He said he was not aware of any specific reason, but that the buyer was still eager to start construction as soon as possible.

Regards

Julia Malakie

Ward 3 Councilor

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/1341864876.11197024.1696556343776%40mail.yahoo.com.

[Nancy Mazzapica]

Tx Julia for the update 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAHuKTxj1m%2Bsb5ojJbkWbxFsLTC-etyaM6LY_nesCTQT%2BFnU%3DEA%40mail.gmail.com.

[didi_614]

Thanks for the update.  I have also heard that Mark Development is planning on selling the other property in Auburndale and West Newton.  Has the City Council also heard about this too?

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAHuKTxj1m%2Bsb5ojJbkWbxFsLTC-etyaM6LY_nesCTQT%2BFnU%3DEA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Scott Oran]

This is important information and I’m glad it’s been shared now.

I do wonder why our two Ward 3 City Councilors who were informed on September 5 of a proposed sale of the stalled Dunstan East have not to shared that information in this forum or more broadly until one month later. 

Dunstan East has been a frequent item of discussion in this forum and elsewhere.

The fact that the Dunstan East development site is being sold after sitting fallow for two years is very important information.

In the future, I hope our Ward 3 elected officials will see fit to communicate with their constituents more frequently and timely on matters of importance.  This information should be disseminated via regular emails to all constituents and not just to those included in closed forums.

On Oct 5, 2023, at 11:22 PM, Julia Anne Malakie <juliaann...@gmail.com> wrote:



To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAHuKTxj1m%2Bsb5ojJbkWbxFsLTC-etyaM6LY_nesCTQT%2BFnU%3DEA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Donna Cvitkovich-Milet]

Thanks so much for the update! The context helps with patience required to drive through the area.  Improved roads on Dunstan might help as well.  :-)  

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAHuKTxj1m%2Bsb5ojJbkWbxFsLTC-etyaM6LY_nesCTQT%2BFnU%3DEA%40mail.gmail.com.

--

Donna Cvitkovich

[Michael Halle]

I can't recall for sure, but I don't think that repaving Dunstan was part of the original developer agreement for the 40B (at least not all of it). Perhaps our Councilors can confirm.

It would also be interesting to know if all of Mark Development's community commitments for the project transfer as well.

I agree that more timely communication about this important issue would have been useful for the community.

-Mike

---

From: westnewtonn...@googlegroups.com <westnewtonn...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Donna Cvitkovich-Milet <dcvitkov...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 8:09:32 AM
To: westnewtonn...@googlegroups.com <westnewtonn...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [WNewton] Dunstan Road

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.googlecom/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/1341864876.11197024.1696556343776%40mail.yahoo.com.

--
If you'd like to be added to this discussion group, visit this group at the link below, or simply send email to gswi...@alum.mit.edu with your name and affiliation with West Newton.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "West Newton Community" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to westnewtonneighbo...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAHuKTxj1m%2Bsb5ojJbkWbxFsLTC-etyaM6LY_nesCTQT%2BFnU%3DEA%40mail.gmail.com.

--

Donna Cvitkovich

--

If you'd like to be added to this discussion group, visit this group at the link below, or simply send email to gswi...@alum.mit.edu with your name and affiliation with West Newton.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "West Newton Community" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to westnewtonneighbo...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAGNNkzfaFL%2BYNrAiMdGYAQwaSenPeOrATLn6zsvd--dhuTpZQQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Nancy Mazzapica]

Better to wait until it s confirmed  rather than a possibility because we all know  “deals  fall through”. 

Have also heard through the rumor mill that Marc developments funding is from Russia and that  is playing a role in the demise of Korff s developments moving forward . 

Just sharing what s being said on the streets

Would love to know the truth about this so it can also be shared with  the community 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/F0CB515E-E110-41A4-979F-CB69B33CD864%40me.com.

[Michael Halle]

An official project meeting that discloses a pending sale of a major development sounds like hard news to me. This wasn't a rumor, it included representatives from the existing and potential new developer. 

This was newsworthy not just village wide but city wide. I am sure Fig City News would have covered it. Did I miss it?

-Mike

---

From: westnewtonn...@googlegroups.com <westnewtonn...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Nancy Mazzapica <nsm...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 8:16:51 AM

To: westnewtonn...@googlegroups.com <westnewtonn...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [WNewton] Dunstan Road

Better to wait until it s confirmed  rather than a possibility because we all know  “deals  fall through”. 

Have also heard through the rumor mill that Marc developments funding is from Russia and that  is playing a role in the demise of Korff s developments moving forward . 

Just sharing what s being said on the streets

Would love to know the truth about this so it can also be shared with  the community 

On Fri, Oct 6, 2023 at 8:04 AM 'Scott Oran' via West Newton Community <westnewtonn...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

This is important information and I’m glad it’s been shared now.

I do wonder why our two Ward 3 City Councilors who were informed on September 5 of a proposed sale of the stalled Dunstan East have not to shared that information in this forum or more broadly until one month later. 

Dunstan East has been a frequent item of discussion in this forum and elsewhere.

The fact that the Dunstan East development site is being sold after sitting fallow for two years is very important information.

In the future, I hope our Ward 3 elected officials will see fit to communicate with their constituents more frequently and timely on matters of importance.  This information should be disseminated via regular emails to all constituents and not just to those included in closed forums.

On Oct 5, 2023, at 11:22 PM, Julia Anne Malakie <juliaann...@gmail.com> wrote:



A timely question, as I was just about to update people on this, although it's a rather indefinite update.

On September 5, at the first Dunstan East Liaison Committee meeting since January (because there had been nothing to update the abutters on), the abutter members, Pam Wright and I, and the Mark Development people were joined by Eli Pechthold and two other representatives of Garden Communities/Garden Homes Development, a New Jersey based company that develops and owns large housing projects.

If my notes are correct, Mr. Pechthold oversees their New England division. He said the company is the biggest developer of multifamily in the country, with properties on the East Coast and in Florida, 55,000 units in the U.S., including recently 384 units at Aspen Regency in Billerica which was a 40B. 

We were told they would be buying Dunstan East from Mark Development. At that time, the sale was expected to close on September 21, and they wanted to start work on the site in October, November at the latest. They intended to build the project almost 100% as planned.

Robert Korff said that Mark Development was not prepared to start this year, but Garden Homes was prepared to start after closing Damien Chaviano of Mark Development explained that Garden Homes uses all its own capital, so they could expedite. (Mark Development in contrast relies on outside investors.) Garden Homes is also its own general contractor.

However, the sale did not happen on September 21 and has not yet happened, and we were just informed yesterday in an email from Mark Development VP Scott Lombardi that the closing has been changed to the end of December. I asked why the delay. He said he was not aware of any specific reason, but that the buyer was still eager to start construction as soon as possible.

Regards

Julia Malakie

Ward 3 Councilor

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.googlecom/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/1341864876.11197024.1696556343776%40mail.yahoo.com.

--
If you'd like to be added to this discussion group, visit this group at the link below, or simply send email to gswi...@alum.mit.edu with your name and affiliation with West Newton.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "West Newton Community" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to westnewtonneighbo...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAHuKTxj1m%2Bsb5ojJbkWbxFsLTC-etyaM6LY_nesCTQT%2BFnU%3DEA%40mail.gmail.com.

--
If you'd like to be added to this discussion group, visit this group at the link below, or simply send email to gswi...@alum.mit.edu with your name and affiliation with West Newton.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "West Newton Community" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to westnewtonneighbo...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/F0CB515E-E110-41A4-979F-CB69B33CD864%40me.com.

--
If you'd like to be added to this discussion group, visit this group at the link below, or simply send email to gswi...@alum.mit.edu with your name and affiliation with West Newton.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "West Newton Community" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to westnewtonneighbo...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAH1%3DK6Bkq0K3hb_g2jw4zVyppDoZr7P6cH3_fhVv3fERVWZdNA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Amy Sangiolo]

There was mention of a possible sale at a Public Facilities meeting discussing the need for a grant of easement  but I don't believe there was disclosure of who the purchaser would be.

https://figcitynews.com/2023/09/public-facilities-9-6-2023-report/

Are the meetings and minutes from the LIaison Committee public?

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/87B8EB96-BC69-EB4C-818C-8917138DDFED%40hxcore.ol.

[Mary Lewis]

I may be way off here, but One would think there were conversations within the City Hall community about the financial outlook and sale of an important project prior to announcing a closing date, which did not happen.

I wonder what the state of the plan for the rest of the projects is, particularly the West Newton Savings Bank building.  Agreements are not being met, and we, the residents of West Newton are paying the price. 

It stinks.

Mary Reardon Lewis, Realtor

The Reardon Team

William Raveis R.E. & Home Services

18 Arlington Street, Boston MA 02116

617-429-3818

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAHaSzNa1PaZTmGHmOWF3bCmN1%3D5eJW7%2Bg53wAfscFausPFSFNA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Shari G]

From what I understand, the information was not supposed to be shared publicly.  Perhaps it’s best to discuss this with all of the city council members.  It is private property after all. 

Shari 

Shari Goldin

Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty 

617-935-6871

(Sharing in full disclosure)

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CANv4%3DSsPTQjrdC5-9Z9ehK%2BxV44mNWSh0X46H2T%2B5gE86dfczg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Lynne LeBlanc]

Thank you for the thorough update, Julia. I appreciate the work you and the Ward 3 councilors do to keep us in the loop. I might add, that you all are one of the most transparent contingencies in the city. Many thanks. Lynne

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAHuKTxj1m%2Bsb5ojJbkWbxFsLTC-etyaM6LY_nesCTQT%2BFnU%3DEA%40mail.gmail.com.

--

Lynne LeBlanc
43 Brookdale Rd.
Newton, MA 02460
617.510.8032 (c)
LynneL...@gmail.com

[Nancy Mazzapica]

Agree Lynn that they are the most transparent city councilors and we re fortunate to have them 

Plus the deal isn t sealed at this point 

Nancy 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CALncpNL_QocAEQ0XotakMLyxXonGP0MwkjvEAuJF6C8zX20s0w%40mail.gmail.com.

[Meryl Kessler]

Here is my understanding: Dunstan East is being developed under a Comprehensive Permit issued by the Newton Zoning Board of Appeals in 2019.  The Liaison Committee that Councilor Malakie references in her email above was formed in response to a specific condition in that Comprehensive Permit.  (The permit is here and the language requiring a neighborhood liaison is on page 18.). All three Ward 3 councilors sit on the Liaison Committee in their official capacity (https://www.dunstanupdates.com/contact-us ), and the mandate of the committee is to communicate with the neighborhood.  This information acquired at meetings is meant to be shared with the neighborhood and abutters; these are not private conversations.

But perhaps one of the councilors would like to weigh on here to explain what the liaison committee does, how it communicates, and whether it is governed by the Open Meeting Law.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAP%3DXQcYwC%2BMZR%3DrV_Rywpv_D0OEKzJ8i%3Db__HvkzMvK8w8hO4A%40mail.gmail.com.

[pamw...@rcn.com]

Before Dunstan East started, a liaison group was formed with Mark Development and the abutters, the three ward 3 councilors and a few other nearby residents.  We would meet monthly if anything was happening via zoom.  Mark Development had an abutter email list in which they would send out updates.  They also had a project website that anyone could view which I sent out to this group.  One could sign up for project updates there.  A liaison group was formed with Trio and worked well and helped the project move along more smoothly with the neighbors. 

 

The liaison group was mainly to keep the neighbors informed on the next construction phase and how it would affect them.  For example:  demo will start on x day for y weeks and this is what you should expect;  pest control/rat management updates; cement crushing which can be loud will start on y for z days; etc.   Questions would be asked like what will be done to reduce dust from the demo and Scott Lombardi from Mark Development would give us answers.  The neighbors would give feedback too like if they see an uptick on rats, construction vehicles not parking in the correct area, construction starting too early, etc. I live 2 blocks from the site and travel by it all the time.  I would send emails to Mark Development like the construction gate was left open and someone would come down to lock it up.  There were complaints on the view of the big open pit and they added the fabric around the fence.   Us councilors would send an update to this West Newton listserve occasionally.  Then Covid really effected construction and everything stopped. 

 

My last Dunstan East community update to this listserve was on 11/23/22: “ Update on Dunstan East:  Construction start is on hold until 2023 – probably spring.  A few abutters and us three Ward 3 councilors have monthly project meetings with Mark Development. They are taking a pause since construction prices have been increasing exponentially.  There are many other factors working against them at this time.  These are wood framed buildings and prices of wood went from an average $300 to $350 per linear board foot to a peak at $1800 per linear board foot.  Prices for wood are slowly coming down but quotes are not.  They said they are committed to this project.  A construction permit for the foundation has been issued for buildings 1 and 2 (closest to Dunstan street).  The steel on the property is to stabilize the holes for the foundation work.”

 

I too heard a rumor on the sale of Dunstan East in August and could not confirm it.  The liaison committee was called together for a project update in September and we met the buyers and were told of the deal and closing in September.  Mr. Korff said he wasn’t looking for a sale but they approached him.  The future owners said construction would happen in Oct or Nov.  Then nothing.  No closing,  No news until last week.  There were so many delays on this project I wanted to wait until the deal closed.

 

What about Mark Development’s other projects?   I don’t know but all seem to be on hold.  When Mark Development purchased the three adjoining properties to Santander Bank, I asked Robert Korff to combine the projects so that the disruption to West Newton village would be less.  He said no.  I tried to convince him, but again, no.   At the meeting this September, Robert Korff said the Santander project has stopped moving forward and he is waiting on village center rezoning.  He said the Cinema has until August to buy back the building.  Mark Development went in front of Newton Historic Commission on 4/27/23 to receive demolition permission for all three properties.  I believe they were given an 18 month demo delay (but it could have been 12 month).  I expect that he built the demo delay into his schedule.  I hear rumors on the other properties but I don’t peddle in rumors.   I’m a facts and data person and I try to be as transparent as possible 😊

 

From: westnewtonn...@googlegroups.com <westnewtonn...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Nancy Mazzapica
Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 8:17 AM
To: westnewtonn...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [WNewton] Dunstan Road

 

Better to wait until it s confirmed  rather than a possibility because we all know  “deals  fall through”. 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAH1%3DK6Bkq0K3hb_g2jw4zVyppDoZr7P6cH3_fhVv3fERVWZdNA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Nancy Mazzapica]

Thank you Pam for sharing the history of this project and the liaison group ‘s function 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/0d2d01d9f86d%247c382bc0%2474a88340%24%40rcn.com.

[pamw...@rcn.com]

To answer Ms. Kessler’s question, no, these meetings are not governed by the Open Meeting Law. 

 

We councilors would update when there was major movement in the project.  We also would answer any questions that would pop up in the WN or Newtonville listserves. 

 

Here are some of my notes from the Dunstan liaison meetings.  I believe nothing was happening on the site so we cancelled a few meetings in the summer.

 

4/26/22:

• Project Website up and running –
• 1149 Wash St  - only building not done; all utilities discontinued this week; come down next week
• Last 2 foundations – last utility pole has live power – trying for months to get it disconnected; small amount of abatement work on foundation next  to Dunstan next week; normally takes months to cut power; all gas out of site, all water and sewer out (except Tenant building)
• Won’t bring concrete crusher to site until all buildings down – 5/9; less than a week of concrete crushing; just big pieces that can’t go into trucks; crushing is noisy
• Clear out inside of buildings – completely gutted – minimize dust –

 

5/24/22

Update after permit -early June probably

• Schedule update permit - all demo’d;
• Had foundation issues - will complete in the next few days;
• Concrete processing will start next week for 3 to 4 days up to a week - after power removed
• Still live eversource pole but it’s not hooked up - supposed to be disconnected today
• Construction permits - foundation only for bldg 1 and 2 before the next permits; will be about 8-10 months; permit bldg 3 - next year
• Screwing pilings - not noisy; vibration is issue - end of June at the earliest for weeks until sometime in August and then next year for bldg 3
• Noisy next week with cement crusher 3-5 days; 8-5
• CMP - construction plan - how construction off site plans - in drop box
• Rodent - weekly inspections - very little activity on baits but no rats; haven’t seen skunk in months

6/28/22

• Behind in site work but not overall behind
• Gas line under Kemp still there – all other utilities gone
• Callahan Construction – manager
• Drive pilings in 2 months
• Full construction docs will be available soon

10/6/22

• Behind about 2 months– being very careful on contracts – wood can swing 7 figures when you buy it; interest rates, labor
• Callahan sign contract – target mid Oct -originally wanted to start mid Aug
• Pile driving – within 30 days of signed contract
• Fence down along brook
• Construction permit for foundation permit issued buildings 1 and 2.
• Vertical construction permit by the end of the year
• Ground foundation 7-8 months for buildings 1 and 2
• 3 year project; summer 2025 occupancy in buildings 1 and 2
• Monday morning – minimal activity
• $50K -for pilot program for improvements to Wash st  – gave check a few weeks ago

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/3F5E63EB-6CAE-422F-875E-8765E587C31E%40me.com.

[pamw...@rcn.com]

I know many city councilors don’t know when projects are sold.  A few recent projects have received a special permit and then resold.  I find out about it though the realtor listing or from other residents, usually realtors.  The developer might talk to the mayor, but normally they don’t talk to the councilors about a sale.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CANv4%3DSsPTQjrdC5-9Z9ehK%2BxV44mNWSh0X46H2T%2B5gE86dfczg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Scott Oran]

It’s great that such careful notes were taken at all of those liaison group meetings.  

But the issue remains that the community wasn’t timely informed by any of our Ward 3 City Councilors after the September 5th meeting when they learned directly from the owner that the project was being sold. 

That was not rumor or conjecture but facts provided directly by the owner to our three Ward 3 City Councilors about a project that has been much discussed here and in the real world.  

As liaisons, our City Councilors’ sole role is to communicate with their constituents.  

In that our three Ward 3 City Councilors have failed us in this basic function.

That the sale has subsequently been postponed or even might not happen matters not.

I hope they focus on issues that matter to us here in West Newton and communicate better in the future.

A regular monthly newsletter to all constituents, for example, a common practice in other wards, by other Councilors, would be very helpful.

To my knowledge, not a single one of our three Ward 3 City Councilors sends out a regular monthly public update.

This untimely news of Dunstan East illustrates why that is so important.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/0dd801d9f873%24936493f0%24ba2dbbd0%24%40rcn.com.

Scott Oran

________________________

email scot...@me.com

phone +1 857 919 4330

[Nancy Mazzapica]

Doesn t really matter Scott since it may or may not happen in December 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/846BB49B-F073-458C-9177-5A3C8DB2C843%40me.com.

[Michael Halle]

"What's happening at Dunstan East" has been one of *the* questions on this list over the last year. 

From a public interest perspective, I would suggest that any authoritative information, even tentative or uncertain, would be welcome by the community. 

-Mike

---

From: westnewtonn...@googlegroups.com <westnewtonn...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Nancy Mazzapica <nsm...@gmail.com>

Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 2:06:33 PM

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAH1%3DK6DEDycWt90dEE05mdxMuN7C4J3QH_zTADovpBysTJdunA%40mail.gmail.com.

[ellen weinberger]

I disagree with the assumption that the sole role of our city councilors is to communicate to the residents. They are not journalists. Ideally, they listen to the community that they serve, and push for services and policies in City Hall for our communal benefit. I have attended many city council meetings over the years (thankfully we can still attend via zoom) and have found that the Ward 3 councilors do an excellent job of advocating on our behalf. I'm not clear how the general community would have benefitted a few weeks earlier by knowing that a sale may or may not be happening. 

Ellen

  

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/846BB49B-F073-458C-9177-5A3C8DB2C843%40me.com.

[Scott Oran]

Actually it does matter. 

I remind all posters to respect the sandbox rules. 

Have a great weekend!

On Oct 6, 2023, at 2:06 PM, Nancy Mazzapica <nsm...@gmail.com> wrote:



Doesn t really matter Scott since it may or may not happen in December 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAH1%3DK6DEDycWt90dEE05mdxMuN7C4J3QH_zTADovpBysTJdunA%40mail.gmail.com.

[John Dundon]

My thought here is that the commercial / large multi-family real estate market has changed dramatically since this project (and other stalled projects) were conceived, designed, and financially modeled. The dramatic rise in interest rates being the biggest change, along with higher labor costs and material costs have turned a lot of projects that looked good for the developer and investors turn into money losers. I have some sympathy for Mark Development spending all the time and money to go through the special permit process, design process, funding process, and initial construction work only to have the market turn in a dramatic way and motivate the sale. It reminds me of the financial crisis of 2008 - 2010 when many, many large projects stopped dead in their tracks as the financing dried up. I know Mark Development is a controversial organization in Newton, but blaming them somehow for global market shifts is misplaced in my opinion. I hope this gets resolved in such a way to allow the city to collect much needed tax revenues to help fund our schools, roads, public safety, etc. 

On Fri, Oct 6, 2023 at 10:59 AM Lynne LeBlanc <lynnel...@gmail.com> wrote:

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CALncpNL_QocAEQ0XotakMLyxXonGP0MwkjvEAuJF6C8zX20s0w%40mail.gmail.com.

--

Best Regards,

John Dundon

[John Dundon]

I agree with Michael Halle up to a point about being informed about major developments. In this case, it is somewhere between a rumor (facts were substantiated by the actual parties about a potential sale) and authoritative information. It is kind of a judgement call for the city councilors who do know about the potential sale in respect to when to share the information up until the point that the "ink is out of the pen" and there is a deal done. 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/22E4665F-F19D-6547-BB6F-AF97CF5A63DA%40hxcore.ol.

[Meryl Kessler]

Nobody is suggesting that ”reporting" is our councilors sole role as councilors.  Far from it.

The point is that when our councilors sit as LIASONS on a LIAISON COMMITTEE whose sole purpose is to communicate with the community, they should actually be communicating with the community.

Clearly the general community wants to know what is going on with the project—hence the question that started this thread (as well as the numerous other questions and comments about the site over the last few months).

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAAnn1Ew2yAhBiD8zVH%2B68tExWtrv9pG1Km3JZ4vVxFsQYCyXFA%40mail.gmail.com.

[J. Anita Boston]

I agree with the residents who would have expected more timely communication.

As an aside, can our Ward 3 Counselors advocate for the opening of the Santander parking lot for public parking? It provides much needed parking that would benefit small businesses and would really provide a great publicity boost for Mark Development to let people use it during this time. It's a shame it's been roped off for so long.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/04846D6C-5B3A-4778-82EF-2A8E5429E935%40me.com.

[Francis Yerardi]

Amen…without that parking, people are parking all down Henshaw st (at least a ½ mile away) and neighboring streets and walking up the square. The businesses and customers  in West newton would be eternally grateful if the lot was opened up.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CANAsoXEtgux8ZFrjODH35iNFn-v_uG3vX36jUXfJi90CigtH3g%40mail.gmail.com.

[Dan Proskauer]

Bolt cutters. Just sayin…

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/7bd001d9f89a%24346cd520%249d467f60%24%40icloud.com.

[Nancy Finn]

Dunstan Street sold to Garden Properties of NJ this was in the Bankers weekly today

---

From: westnewtonn...@googlegroups.com <westnewtonn...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Dan Proskauer <dpr...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 5:48 PM

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAKphR3wEsvO%3DvPkNM3mgdikFyFKEzEV1DDOy5EZBfoMyTmMG6w%40mail.gmail.com.