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The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), a public agency, held its second public forum on Feb. 10 at the Morse Institute Library in Natick to discuss plans for revitalizing the downtown.
The Natick Center Plan’s goal is to capitalize on the current and future assets in Natick Center in a way that will support local residents and businesses.
“The forum was very well-attended,” James Errickson, Director of Community & Economic Development for the Town of Natick, said. “There was a presentation from MAPC that went through the survey results [from the first forum], and ultimately that fed into a series of recommendations [for the plan] from a community perspective.”
MACP is working with town officials, property and business owners, and citizens to craft a vision for short- and long-term changes to help maximize the benefits of Natick’s culture and location.
“This specific project originated through a conversation between Jamie Errickson and me,” Christopher Kuschel, Regional Planner II and MAPC Transportation Specialist, said. “There is a lot of change occurring in Natick Center, and it was thought that it was a good time to take a step back and think holistically about all that is happening.”
Kuschel said that residents and business owners have been receptive to the plan since its origin, with more than 100 people attending both forums.
“Feedback for this project has been very strong,” Kuschel said. “Given the amount of feedback we’ve had, there’s a range of opinions on every topic. But, overall, a majority of residents envision a future for Natick Center that builds on its assets.”
According to Kuschel and Errickson, those assets include the town common, the arts and a T-station with access to Boston.
“Natick is becoming a more popular destination for businesses to relocate and for people to go and experience things,” Errickson said. “The Center offers TCAN [The Natick Center for the Arts]; also, there are concerts on the common in the summer, and farmers’ markets. As the business offerings are picking up and becoming more diverse, it’s drawing more people to the center, and I think people want to see that growth continue to happen.”
Errickson noted a main element of the plan includes examining building different types of housing in the area, as well as incorporating businesses into the downtown that will be appeal to a changing population.
“We have an aging baby boomer population that is not necessarily looking to have a single family home in a suburban area,” he said. “They want to walk to their services, restaurants and pharmacies. Natick can provide that.”
A popular request from the feedback, Errickson said, was a desire for more restaurants and pubs. However, he added there is work to be done before setting those plans in motion.
“It involves looking at and examining local liquor laws, which may need to be adjusted to allow more pubs and restaurants. We will also be looking at zoning regulations in key areas,” he said.
While the project is still in its early stages, Errickson says there are plans already underway, including a proposal for a four-story building that would include 4,000 square feet of retail space and 32 units of housing. Errickson acknowledges the plan is extensive.
“Revitalization efforts are always ongoing,” he said. “They may still be going on 10 years down the road, but doing things today is what will get you to that goal. It’s a continuous process.”
For more information on the Natick Center Plan, visit www.mapc.org/natickcenterplan.