What's New At Development At Old Polaroid Site

What stores will eventually end up at the planned development at the former Polaroid site on Main Street remains a mystery, but the city took one step closer to revealing that yesterday.

Yesterday, developers and city officials revealed a lot of new information on the status of the project during a press conference at the site to kick off the first phase of the project.

Tenants

• Developer Sam Park said no tenants have yet been signed but many anchor stores have expressed interest in having stores at the 280,000 square foot development. The project will feature 100,000 square feet of office space and the remaining space will be retail shops.
• “Until we have signed leases its very difficult for us to acknowledge [which tenants will be at the site],” Park said.

Traffic Issues

• State, federal, and city officials, as well as the developers, are still working on the traffic plan for the site, according to Mayor Jeanette McCarthy. Ultimately, the mayor said, the city wants direct access points form Route 128 into the development site, which the state is requiring Park to study.
• Workers are in the process of moving an NStar utility line to make way for possible future traffic access routes, Park said.

• She said the plan is part of long-term work to solve Waltham’s constant traffic congestion. “We want  long term solutions to a long-term problem,” she said.

Things Project Abutters Should Know

• Blasting will be occurring at the site as well as earth moving, according to Park.
• Also, abutters should expect construction and demolition noise from machinery being used at the site.
• Berry Farm, which abuts the property, will be given back to the city for possible use as conservation land in the future.

Future Steps Of The Project

• Park said he is hoping to present conceptual drawings to the public in September.
• Afterwards, public hearings would be held to solicit comments from the public, according to McCarthy.