Owner Ready to Improve, Redevelop Mt. Wayte Plaza

The owner of the Mt. Wayte Shopping Plaza is almost ready to submit plans to the Framingham Planning Board to redevelop the almost-empty plaza, at the corner of Mt. Wayte and Franklin streets in Framingham.

Framingham Selectmen Chair Dennis Giombetti said owner Sam Adams has not dramatically changed his plans for the plaza from when he made a presentation to the Framingham Planning Board in late 2012.

Giombetti said Adams is planning a meeting on Wednesday, Sept 18 at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Building for the community to have input and discussion on the proposed project.

Adams' redeveloped vision of the plaza would include more than 20,000 square feet of new office space and more than 11,000 square feet of retail space, according to his Dec. 2012 presentation.

Waterman Design Associates Senior Project Manager Michael Dryden said the gas station building would be torn down along with the former Fotomat booth. It is unclear, at this time, whether the 400 Restaurant would remain in its building in the front of the plaza.

Presently, the plaza has three tenants - a Dunkin Donuts, St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop and a barber shop. More than 50 percent of the plaza is empty store fronts.

"This is great news for the Town of Framingham," said Giombetti.

Giombetti said it has been a long process to get to this step, and he knows the good news for this neighborhood will prompt the Nobscot neighborhood to ask again about its almost empty plaza.

Giombetti said 'there is hope for Nobscot."

"This (plans for Mt. Wayte) is 20 years in the making," said Giombetti. "It's good news for the Town of Framingham."

Back in December, Adams and his consultant told the Planning Board they hoped to submit plans in February/March 2013 and were hoping to start construction in spring 2013. Construction would be a minimum of 12 to 24 months, according to the plaza owner.

Plans and an application will likely not be submitted to the Planning Board now, until early fall.

Town Meeting members and neighborhood residents back in December requested the owner and consultant host a community member. Giombetti said Adams is holding the Sept. 18 meeting for that purpose.