Politics & Government

Framingham, Regional & State Leaders Celebrate Milestone Downtown

When completed this project will "create a walkable, safe and vibrant downtown," said Framingham Selectman Laurie Lee.

Nestled between the CVS and the newly opened Vietnamese restaurant Pho Dakao on Concord Street is a new government office, Framingham, regional and state officials said signals the start of a revitalization of downtown Framingham.

Monday afternoon, dozens upon dozens of Framingham and state officials squeezed themselves into 107 Concord St. for the dedication of the Framingham Department of Public Work’s Downtown Roadway Project office. 

"This is a great, great moment, and the result of enormous amount of hard work on a lot of people's parts," said Framingham Town Manager Bob Halpin. "This project will bring the downtown revitalization over the finish line."

The Downtown Roadway and Streetscape Improvement Project is a Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) project that involves a comprehensive plan of transportation, safety, and aesthetic improvements to the downtown area. 

This project will "transform downtown Framingham into a vibrant, urban fabric that is attractive to young knowledge workers feeding our economy," said Halpin.

When the state contracted is awarded, updates will include roadway reconstruction, new sidewalks, crosswalks, curbing, drainage improvements, ornamental traffic signals and street lighting, new trees and planting areas, street scape amenities, and signage and pavement markings.

The traffic signals along this corridor will be fully interconnected to significantly improve their operation and provide a better experience for motorists downtown.

The Downtown Roadway Project Office will be utilized as a communications headquarters to assist residents and business owners within the project area through the construction process.

“The Downtown revitalization project is one aspect of a multi-year plan the Board of Selectmen have worked on to improve quality of life, public safety and economic prosperity in Downtown Framingham. I am thrilled for Framingham to benefit from the state and federal funds needed to make this happen and grateful to have been a part of this collaboration," said Framingham Selectmen Vice Chair Laurie Lee.

Lee called the office ribbon cutting and dedication a "momentous event."

She said she remembers moving to Framingham in the 1980s and hearing about the need to revitalize downtown Framingham.

"This is an absolute milestone for Framingham," said Lee. "This is the most amazing moment for downtown in all of framingham."

When completed this project will "create a walkable, safe and vibrant downtown," said Lee.

Lee said the Town of Framingham has been working for years to improve downtown Framingham and noted a couple of its successes.

  • Main Street Program, under the direction of Framingham Downtown Renaissance Executive Director Holli Andrews
  • Newly-created Code Enforcement Task Force
  • Economic Development and its partnership with the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce to bring businesses to the downtown area.

Lee said the $4.5 million from the federal government for the downtown project would never have been possible without the vision of Framingham DPW Director Peter Sellers, who more than a decade ago envisioned and developed a plan for downtown Framingham.

Lee also thanks former Massachusetts Lt. Governor and current President and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce Timothy Murray for "being here every day and always supporting us." She said Murray "put actions behind his words."

Murray told those assembled that while Monday was a significant milestone, "we know the work is not done." Click on the attached video to hear his full remarks.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here