Construction heads up local business action

Two development projects, Legacy Place in Dedham and Westwood Station, stole much of the business-related headlines during the past year, and with good reason.

Alone, either development would have potential to change the area's character. Combined - the sites are just a few miles apart - they could completely transform the region.

Proposed at the site of the Showcase Cinemas near the intersection of routes 128 and 1, Legacy Place aims to bring more than 70 upscale shops and restaurants to the town. The joint developers, National Amusements and S.R. Wiener and Associates, have reached agreements with eateries including Legal Seafood and P.F. Chang's China Bistro. The key tenants at the site are a Whole Foods Market and a 3,200-seat National Amusements movie theater.

Yet before those businesses can start drawing customers to the so-called "lifestyle center," the entire project needs approval from the town. The developers filed plans in the spring, and the Planning Board continues to review the project.

Down on University Avenue in Westwood, developer Cabot, Cabot & Forbes filed with the Planning Board this month for an application to build a $1.5 billion, mixed-use project. Plans call for 1.5 million square feet of office space, 1.35 million square feet of retail space, 1,000 condos and up to two hotels. Retailers have yet to be named publicly, but CC&F has promised high-end companies.

While the two projects could attract similar clients, developers feel the market can sustain any competition.

"I think there is a place for both projects," CC&F President Jay Doherty said. "I think we have room in the market, it's competitive."

All of the new businesses and other aspects of both developments are expected to bring their respective towns millions of dollars of additional tax revenue if approved. But while some praise the boon of tax revenue, others question the ability of local infrastructure and public safety departments to handle the influx of commuters, workers and residents.

Concerns about the proposed developments have created a trickle-down effect throughout the region. Residents in Dedham and Westwood, as well as in Norwood and Canton, have serious concerns about traffic from the developments.

In Westwood, residents have met with traffic consultants to draw up mitigation plans. Proposals include the creation of strategically placed cul-de-sacs to eliminate through traffic on major streets.

At CC&F's expense, Westwood has hired project consultants to assist in the review process.

Norwood has its own plans to attract business to University Avenue, aided by a state $1.2 million Public Works Economic Development. With the money, Norwood wants to upgrade and improve traffic flow by repaving the street and building a new sidewalk.

In other efforts to boost local business, Norwood provided tax breaks through Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, incentives to two companies - Norwood Hospitality and LTX Corp. Norwood Hospitality converted the Ramada Inn at 434 Providence Highway into a Hampton Inn, and LTX Corp. makes test equipment for the semiconductor industry.

LTX Corp. shares its home in a University Avenue building with Instron Corp., which makes products to test performances of materials and structures. Although the building's owner, CC&F, sold the property to California-based KBS Real Estate Investment Trust this month, both companies will remain in Norwood at the same location.

Walpole businesses downtown found a source of competition in commuter rail riders this year. Commuters often leave their cars parked in downtown lots or on Main Street, stealing spots from business owners and their clients.

When police responded in March by installing signs placing a three-hour parking limit in a downtown lot and then began ticketing violators, business owners often found themselves being ticketed. The outcry caused police and the town to look for other solutions, such as identifying the vehicles of business owners or offering parking stickers.

In South Walpole, debate continued over the old Bird Machine property. In June, Bird Machine officials met with town officials for the first time since February, and encountered old concerns. Whereas the town wants the site to be used for residential purposes, property owner Baker-Hughes expressed preference for commercial development.

Environmental cleanup also affected plans for the project site, where the developer found high levels of lead and asbestos. The discovery gave the landowner qualms about building housing on the property.

Daily News staff writer Greg Duggan can be reached at 781-433-8355 or by e-mail at gduggan@cnc.com.