"For Sale" Signs at "Cornerstone" Property
The Westford Gazette has observed that there are large "for sale" signs all around the property owned by developer Robert Walker who was seeking to build the large commercial mall called "Cornerstone".
A synopsis of the events surrounding the attempted Cornerstone development are as follows:
1 - Walker applies to Planning Brd. Various special permits etc are required.
2 - PB fails to achieve the 2/3rds vote necessary because members Galvin and Nudler (now gone from the Board) vote "no".
3 - Walker appeals PB decision and the courts send the case back to the PB.
4 - With Nudler gone, Galvin is the sole dissenting vote. The PB approves the development.
5 - The company that owns the shopping mall on Rt. 110 in Westford sues citing traffic concerns.
6 - "For Sale" signs appear on the proposed Cornerstone site.
Does anyone know anything further about all this? This is breaking news and any further information is appreciated.
Interesting! I hadn't noticed the signs of late but wonder as well what has transpired. I would imagine it has a lot to do with the economy. Just a guess but I'm sure having to jump through all those hoops and delaying what they thought would be a quick build did the trick. I'm still amazed at how many store fronts along rt 110 are still vacant. Now we here that Applebees and McDonalds soon will be too!! WOW.
Say it ain't so Lou. I do not know what I will do with out McDonald's Epicurian delights.Originally Posted by loucook
Well, Tony.. swing by my house. I'll whip up a fat laden burger..throw it on a stale bun, let it sit for 30-40 minutes and viola... an Epicurian delight a la McDonald's. Oh, if you want I can scrape up some frozen French fried potatoes and some watered down soda too
Gag me food. However, I will say that the town will lose revenue and jobs if they pull out, and it will be the fault of whatever idiot decided it would be a good idea to ban drive-thru windows along 110. So people hit Drum Hill instead. It would be a prime location off of 495 - Wendy's would probably still be in business and McD's would be doing much better if they had allowed the drive-thrus. Now explain to the college and high school kids in Westford where they can go to work for the $$ to pay for those expensive parking spots and sports fees at WA...
So true Amber. If you look at the 495 it really isn't a hot bed for restaurants right off the exit. You have the usual fare up at Lowell then really nothing till you get farther South. Having a Drive-thru ban not only takes away the revenue that these businesses could be bringing in.. but think about businesses that don't even consider coming here because of it. If it's done to keep a certain class of society out of our town that I say booo on us!!
Last edited by loucook; 01-20-2010 at 11:01 PM.
According to my book of remembrances, the "idiots/geniuses" (dead or alive) are:
Richard Emmett
Sam Frank
LWV circa 1978
,
.
.
The idea was that the ban to a drive thru would limit the generation of trash being disposed along the highways by fast food customers.
BTW Same logic was applied to the ban of Trailer Parks, apartments and low income housing. Once upon a time, you could build on 5,000 sq. ft. of land.But the 1978 generation of beautiful people did not want trash to move into town. Believe it or not the words used by a Selectman speaking in opposition to multi-family housing were "We do not want trash moving into town."
The majority of TM members must have agreed with the Selectman since they approved the limitation on multi-family housing.
The high rent areas were Kirsi Cicrcle, Dana Drive, Banbury and North Hill with the average house selling for $55,000 on 1 acre of land circa 1978. Nab, Graniteville and Forge Village had a large % of the housing on 1/2 acre or less.
No bus fees, no athletic fees, no parking fees, no police detail fees, etc....
The actions of town boards were transparent (i.e) No secrets, public documents were readily available.
Salaries of town employees were posted at the Fletcher Library.
The name of all school teachers were listed in the annual town report along with their degrees and associated colleges.
The name of all town employees along with the proposed pay was listed in the Finance Committee report.
All recorded births were recorded in the Annual Town report.
All recorded marriages were recorded in the Annual town report.
All union contracts were ratified at Town Meeting.
All non-union salaries were set by Town Meeting.
Water rates were set by Town Meeting.
The Town Moderator was neutral and made it a point that all speakers had ample time to express their views and concerns.
Town offices were open M, W, Th, F (7:30 am to 5:00 pm) TU (7:30 am to 9:00 pm) and Sat (8:00 am to noon).
School Committee's had fiscal autonomy (Town meeting could not reduce school budget) yet the School Committee went over the budget prepared by the Supt. with a fine tooth comb.
When times were tight, the Supt. would forgo a pay increase so his staff could be appropriately compensated. In 1982, the School Supt.'s salary was $36,000/yr., no car, no special deals and he put in a 60 hour week. His dedication has been rewarded by the system with a 2009 pension of around $19,000.
Those were the good old days.
Then the LWV got the Town Manager form of government approved by the gullible sheep of TM.
The School Committee became populated with beautiful people.
The Board of Selectmen became populated by pond scum.
The Finance Committee membership is restricted to those who will do Ms. Harde's desires.
The last Supt. to retire from the Westford schools is receiving a pension in excess of $85,000 circa 2002.
This guy finagled all kind of special goodies to his pay package.
He seldom put in a 40 hour week on school related affairs.
The water rates have been increased by over 25% in the last two years.
The Police Dept. has been expanded to 50 employees at the highest wages for comparable towns.
In 2006, the Deputy Police Chief made over $175,000 in annual compensation exclusive of benefits.
The Fire Chief is in the process of building an Empire that will rival the Police Dept.
Fees have doubled and in some cases quintupled.
Anyone for a Tea Party?
Last edited by Tony1941; 01-23-2010 at 11:17 AM.
MY GOD!!! what a crying shame!!! Grab a cup of tea and a broom.. it's time to clean house!!!
For Lease now?
For Sale signs are replaced with For Lease signs by http://raventures.net/
On their web site its listed as:
Westford LC � Developer for a proposed 240,000 S.F. retail, medical, office complex
Anyone else have any news?
A review of the companies listed at the raventures website show a significant number owned by Mr.Robert Walker.
The LAN st. address of raventures is located on a development done by Robert Walker.
I believe that the original Minot's corner development was proposed by a Robert Walker company.
It appears that Mr. Walker and associates have decided to adjust the proposed development to the economics of the present.
A very astute move that will allow the development of the Minot's corner parcel.
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