Substation Redevelopment a Big Opportunity for Roslindale Village

By Roslindale Village Main Street

After four bleak decades and years of advocacy and planning, something's finally afoot this fall at the old Roslindale Substation building across from Adams Park.

Three solid proposals from three top-notch development teams are almost an embarrassment of riches after years of neglect turned this once-handsome structure into a white elephant in the middle of Roslindale Square.

In 2002 the non-profit groups Roslindale Village Main Street and Historic Boston Incorporated led a comprehensive community process to create a practical vision requiring minimal public subsidy for what this re-born land mark could be. We believed that any redevelopment proposal would have to meet four key conditions to win community support: 1) renovate and renew the historic building, 2) generate foot-traffic and draw in customers to support other local businesses, 3) result in a new use that would be financially viable and sustainable over the years, and 4) an experienced development team with the ability to complete the project successfully.

This fall, three teams have come through with flying colors on at least three of these four conditions. Each proposal will preserve the building, generate foot traffic and comes from an experienced development team capable of committing to complete the project. The financial viability of the various proposals, perhaps the most critical factor given the current economic climate, is rather unclear at this time. The Boston Redvelopment Authority will select the winning proposal and must keep the financial components of the proposals confidential because of the sensitive nature of the information. In this economic climate, we believe it will not be easy to secure financing and attract investors who are necessary to make any proposal work.

Perhaps the most exciting bid comes from the WaterMark group because it best advances Roslindale Village Main Street's vision for a popular and lively business district with diverse shopping and entertainment options. The team proposes a new space in the half-basement for a restaurant (possibly Delfino's, which faces an expiring lease in a couple years) and a separate restaurant and lounge on the first and second floors run by Darryl Settles. He is a member of the development team and his sophisticated music bar Beehive in the South End draws customers from across the city to enjoy quality food and cocktails with background music courtesy of a jazz quartet.

The WaterMark project's potential for bringing many new customers from other neighborhoods will support existing restaurants by giving diners something to do in Roslindale after dinner. The inclusion in their proposal of future building tenants is particularly attractive. Also, the team's architect has just completed the renovation of a very similar substation in Egleston Square. The evening uses in this commercially-zoned area could provide a big boost to the fortunes of Roslindale's commercial district.

The other two proposals are also quite attractive. The Diamond/Sinacori team has extensive experience redeveloping historic buildings (most recently the Waterworks project in the former pump buildings next to the Chestnut Hill reservoir). The group's proposal for office space could generate day-time foot traffic supporting daytime businesses, and a restaurant in the basement with outdoor seating could animate Washington Street in the evening.

The Urbanica team's stylish restaurant-and-art concept would showcase the landmark's interior space to the best effect, and, if successful, could draw customers into Roslindale Village from other neighborhoods, too. Urbanica's proven experience renovating historic buildings in Boston and Somerville would also prove valuable in Roslindale.

What happens next? The Boston Redevelopment Authority will designate a developer based on the strengths of the proposals and a careful evaluation of each team's confidential financial projections. No one can predict how our increasingly uncertain economy will play out as this project nears completion two years from now, but if the budgets pencil out and the finances are solid, we hope the BRA will pick the proposal that brings the most life and light to our business district. After forty years in the dark, waking up this slumbering landmark will mean all the lights in Roslindale Village are at long last shining bright.

Which proposal should the BRA choose? You decide. Email your comments to: francis.collins.bra@cityofboston.com

The mission of Roslindale Village Main Street is to promote Roslindale Village as an appealing destination and the dynamic center of our community. As a nonprofit organization, we bring together local volunteers, businesses and public agencies to strengthen the Village's economic vitality, physical appearance and unique local character.