When Opportunity Knocks.....ACT!

There has been much chatter this week about the delay of the completion of the multi-million dollar development at the former Polaroid site.  As many people have seen from driving by the site, the project is at a standstill and hundreds of workers are out of work due to the delay.  This is very disappointing for our community and everyone involved on many different levels. 
As we know, construction has come to a halt because the DeMoulas family, who own Market Basket, is fighting over control of the family business and management company.  Construction workers have been sent home and potential tenants are no doubt contemplating locating elsewhere.  This would be disastrous to this much-needed and anticipated development in our community. 
In addition to the hold up by the DeMoulas family, the current building partners have been before the City administration for at least three years, trying to move the project forward.   Unfortunately, as is often the case, the City of Waltham takes much too long to act and get things done!   Had the City acted in a timely manner, today the project would be complete and there would be nothing for the DeMoulas’ family fighting to delay.
As a City, we need to do more to facilitate economic development, which creates much-needed jobs in our community, creates tax revenue and provides residents with shopping conveniences.   The development at the former Polaroid site would provide all three of the items mentioned above but now will take longer due to the excruciatingly long, micro-managed decision making process currently within Waltham government.
This process hurts our community and its residents.  Waltham's ongoing inability to work cooperatively, and communicate effectively, seem to be two consistent barriers to many of the unfinished projects to date.
Sincerely,
Tom Stanley