Providence, by definition, is more than just a city in Rhode Island. According to the first two entries in my trusty Webster’s, providence is “a looking to, or preparation for, the future; provision; hence, skill or wisdom in management; prudence.”
Clearly, town officials in Norwood and Dedham are demonstrating skill, wisdom and prudence when they focus on ways to improve Route 1, also known as Providence Highway. This multi-lane road connects the capitol cities of two states and, in the process, provides an accessible, highly desirable artery for business and commercial use.
New retail developments are in ample evidence along Providence Highway, from the much-anticipated Legacy Place in Dedham and the new retail project at Dean Street in Norwood, to a number of stores and plazas including Patriot Place in Foxboro, and a new Lowe’s home center and Target store further down the road. These developments mean increased tax revenue for towns that host the new commercial developments.
Norwood is hoping to revitalize the section of Route 1 between Dean and Sumner streets, also known as the Vanderbilt area, by establishing a zone that qualifies for an expedited permitting process under Massachusetts General Law 43D, which allows communities to set up priority development sites. To qualify, sites must meet the law’s parameters and receive Town Meeting approval.
If approved, the expedited permitting process means commercial development would not be bogged down by the protracted permitting process that can stall projects and create a blighted area like the former site of the Home Quarters (HQ) store in the Vanderbilt development sector.
Norwood’s Economic Development Committee hopes to attract new offices, retailers and manufacturing facilities to the Vanderbilt area. Joining the 44 communities and 17 applicants for the state’s expedited permitting program will, in the future, bring revenue producing development to an area that begs for revitalization and create the kind of positive momentum that can spark a shaky economy.
In Dedham, officials are looking for ways to clean up the stretch of Providence Highway that has been described as both a “gateway to the town” and a “scar.” Dedham Selectman Paul Reynolds said a rejuvenation project for the stretch of Providence Highway between Eastern Avenue and Best Buy is a real possibility that could be financed by state funds and would create a nice entrance to the town so that people would know how beautiful Dedham really is.
With all the improvements that will come with the construction of Legacy Place, it seems only natural that the stretch of highway between that project and large retail chains down the road be upgraded to create a fluid continuity. To condemn a stretch of highway to indifference and blight gives a less than positive impression of the entire town.
Giving these commercial areas along the Providence Highway in Norwood and Dedham the attention that they need would do more than just improve physical appearance and the commercial attractiveness of these stretches of well-traveled road. It would provide a lift to the image of each town and, therefore, further improve the attractiveness of these areas for future development and municipal revenue enhancement.
Norwood resident Candace Leary’s Midpoints column appears Mondays in the Transcript.
