Bulldozing Newtonville: Orr Building development may extend to Lowell Ave; residents last to know

When I first wrote here about the proposed development at Washington and Walnut Streets, I'd heard it included 150 units. That seemed impossibly high for an already busy intersection, the kind of number a developer asks for as a starting point, so I described it as "well over 100 apartment units." And it appeared that developer Robert Korff of Mark Investment was merely buying up all the commercially zoned properties, most of them from one family trust. Little did I imagine that this 'edifice complex' could grow to engulf the entire stretch of Washington Street from Lowell Ave to Walnut Street. While I had thought the firewall was the residential district of Washington Terrace, it now appears that the only real firewall is the southern end of the Newtonville Historic District. (Map at right.)

I first heard from a resident on Washington Terrace that his lease was not being renewed because his landlord might be selling the building. So it sounded like the development might extend to the east side of Washington Terrace. However, I am now hearing that this will be a six-story development with 230 residential units above the commercial level. But what is perhaps more shocking to me than the scale, is the complete lack of outreach by anyone in city government to the people who will be most affected -- the current renters who will be losing their homes in naturally affordable apartments.

There is a long-scheduled meeting for the community this Thursday, February 11, at 7pm in the Newton North High School cafeteria, sponsored by the Newtonville Area Council and the Ward 2 city councilors, for developer Robert Korff and/or his attorneys to present and answer questions. But I spent an hour Sunday knocking on doors on Washington Terrace to try to learn more, and found that most people  I met knew nothing even about the project, let alone the Thursday meeting.

 One couple had heard (but only two days earlier)  that the Newtonville Post Office, the gas station, and the church around the corner on Lowell Ave (Elevation Chapel) were sold or under agreement with contingencies. (I can't confirm the corner gas station, whose owner wasn't talking, or the church, which was closed, but a Post Office employee said their building has been sold, and they only found out last week when inspectors came through.)

​But people in five more apartments had heard nothing,  These include a seven-year resident whose husband has to live within 15 miles of the Weston Fire Department, who was hoping to stay a little longer, until their daughter graduates from NNHS; a three-year resident with one kid each at Horace Mann, Day, and NNHS; another couple getting married -- three=year residents hoping to stay longer; and a couple from Ukraine who just moved in last fall.

This project would need  a rezoning to Multi Use 4 (MU4), which would need approval by 2/3 of the City Council. Residents in other parts of Newton may not feel this affects them, but should be aware, this may be an indication of what's in store for other village centers (especially those with T stations), and for the entire Washington Street corridor, which could eventually resemble Newton Corner. The pro-density, pro-development agenda is clear from recent Housing Strategy sessions like the November Lego exercise. (Consultant's presentation to Zoning & Planning Committee here.)

Anyone concerned about the physical and financial impacts of development on this scale should attend the Thursday, February 11 meeting at Newton North High School, and continue to follow this issue. You may also want to sign up here for updates from Newton Villages Alliance (of which I'm a steering committee member), on this and other issues.

Mark Investment's website does not show any six-story buildings expect for one in Copley Square, so it's hard to visualize what they have planned for this stretch of Washington Street. We may find out on Thursday.