A Lot Going on at Crossing Monday Morning

Above, the MBTA-owned gravel lot, or "Staging Area" that has been absorbing overflow Children's Museum  parking. In the background in 305 Union Street, earmarked for redevelopment but on a cramped site.

After the ribbon cutting and speechifying at the Franklin-Dean MBTA Station Monday morning, most of the speakers (Town Manager Jamie Hellen, Rep Roy, Senator Rausch, MBTA Chief Operating Officer Ryan Coholan, and the leaders of the Children's Museum) -- plus former Dean Chancellor and current Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, Ed Augustus -- quietly departed for a second meeting a half-mile down the tracks at The Crossing, the area near the intersection of Union and Cottage Streets.

After deciding that the heavy rain precluded an out-of-doors meeting, the group found accommodations at the Children's Museum. 

And what was the meeting all about? Some participants stayed close-mouthed but State Rep. Jeff Roy delivered a summary of what appears to have been an unusually consequential meeting for the   town.

 "The meeting was extremely successful," said Roy. We chatted about the following items:

1. We talked about an old easement dating to the 1800’s which is impacting development at 305 Union Street [aka the Mill Store building]. The MBTA committed to working with the new owners to find a path forward to give them necessary access to the driveway. There was a thought that they could engage in a mutually beneficial land swap to make it work. Both parties walked away from the discussion positive that they could work something out. Secretary Augustus suggested some potential grants or tax credits that could help aid in the development of affordable housing at the site.
2. We talked about the Children’s Museum, other businesses, and the expanded SNETT trail getting access to the staging area near the train tracks for shared parking. The MBTA was open to the possibility of another land swap to re-locate the staging area and accommodate the request. The MBTA also offered some additional programming for the Children’s Museum, including the possibility of a “touch-a-train” event.
3. The Franklin Housing Authority offered a proposal to develop additional units on a parcel of land they have near the complex on Wachusett Street. Secretary Augustus offered some ideas for grant funding to help develop a plan that would aid in identifying additional resources to develop the parcel. Senator Rausch and I secured $1 million for the Franklin Housing Authority and we asked Secretary Augustus to assist in getting those funds authorized for expenditure.
4. We talked about releasing the bond funds for the Franklin Ridge Senior Housing project which is moving forward. Senator Rausch and I secured $3 million for that project and we asked Secretary Augustus to assist in getting the funds authorized for expenditure.

Roy said the the state officials were impressed with the community interest in working with the MBTA and Housing Secretary to make improvements in Franklin. "They were most impressed with the level of engagement between businesses and government officials on ways to collaborate and plan for the future. Some great relationships were established at the meeting and Senator Rausch and I will assist in bringing the ideas to fruition," Roy added.