Like nearly every “Main Street” business district in towns throughout the nation, Franklin’s downtown struggled to adapt to the rise of the regional shopping mall and strip shopping plaza. US Interstate Route 495’s opening in the 1970s pulled shoppers and businesses away from downtown Franklin to new business and retail locations along the highway’s interchanges and feeder routes.
The housing boom that transformed Franklin, MA from the mid-1980s through the 1990s accelerated the trend away from downtown Franklin as the arrival of thousands of new affluent residents spurred the development of modern shopping plazas throughout the region.
On the other hand, there are factors that continue to support the role of Franklin’s downtown as a retail and service business destination.
So explore the posts below and see what’s so encouraging about the future prospects for the downtown area of Franklin, MA.
From the category archives:
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[post_content] => Blue skies and pleasant temperatures greeted the early morning volunteers at the Downtown Beautification Day held this past Sunday in the Town of Franklin, MA.
The Franklin, MA Downtown Partnership marked the kick-off of its 2009 season of activities and events by teaming up with the Franklin Garden Club to host this annual event dedicated to improving the look and feel of downtown Franklin.
Funded in part by contributions from local businesses and powered by the volunteer labor of Franklin residents, the annual spring event seeks to place up to 1000 flowering plants all over Franklin’s downtown area.
This labor of love makes the center of the town of Franklin, MA look cared-for and attractive throughout the spring and summer months. And it clearly demonstrates the importance of the Partnership and its committed, involved supporters to the continued vitality and appeal of the entire downtown business district!
Copyright ©2009 02038.com
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[post_content] => In a recent appearance before the Franklin Planning Board, developer John Marini announced that he has halted the planned 3rd stage of his Franklin Center Commons project in downtown Franklin for at least three years.
Marini blamed the delay on his inability to obtain construction financing. He also cited difficulties he has encountered in selling the residential condominium units he has built on spec as part of the 2nd phase of the development.
Marini explained to the Board that after over 2 months of marketing, he has had no takers on any of the 27 condo units he currently has for sale in the new elevatored building he recently completed in downtown Franklin as part of phase 2. Prices for the one and two bedroom units range from $249,900 to $369,900. The location is excellent, providing easy pedestrian access to commuter rail service to Boston.
Instead of proceeding immediately with the 3rd phase of Franklin Center Commons, Marini said he would rent commercial space in the preexisting building at the site for the next three years, after first investing $100,000 in renovations to the structure.
Mr. Marini expressed confidence in his ability to eventually undertake the 3rd phase of the Franklin Center Commons project once the current recession ends.
Click here to see the full article on the Franklin Center Commons announcement as published by the Milford Daily News.
Copyright ©2009 02038.com
[post_title] => Construction Delay Hits Franklin Center Commons
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[post_content] => Despite suffering from many of the adverse economic influences that have plagued "Main Street" America over the last 3 decades, the downtown area of Franklin, MA has a number of special strengths that are contributing not only to its survival but also to its early 21st Century renaissance.
Dean Collegebrings approximately 1000 students to the downtown area during every the academic year. Dean students, faculty and staff bring important spending to downtown Franklin, supporting the various restaurants, pubs and eateries that thrive downtown.
The downtown commuter rail station in Franklin, MA also generates daily pedestrian traffic for Franklin's town center.
The presence of the downtown commuter rail station figured significantly in the decision of a private developer to commit millions of dollars to the Franklin Center Commons, a mixed use condominium/retail project well under way in the center of Franklin.
The latter half of the first decade of the 2000s saw millions of dollars of public investment being made in downtown Franklin, MA aimed at sparking a downtown renewal.
Franklin's downtown is also materially helped by the Franklin Downtown Partnership, an advocacy and support organization which works to support the downtown.
Click here to see what Family Circle Magazine has to say about Franklin, MA.
Copyright ©2009 02038.com
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[post_title] => What's to Like About Downtown Franklin, MA?
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[post_content] => Franklin Center Commons in Franklin, MA is a $30 million private investment in Franklin’s downtown by Canton-based developer John Marini.
This construction is transforming the Franklin, MA’s town center. Mr. Marini is building a multi-phased, mix-use development of condominiums and retail space in the heart of Franklin’s downtown.
These developments are projected to bring new foot traffic to the town center and add up to $100,000 per year of new tax revenues to the town.
Dean College leased the entire residential portion of the 2nd phase of the development for use as dorms. The 20 condo units comprise the upper two floors of the new building (with retail space on 1st floor). 75 students live in the premises.
Another phase involves more condos being built across the street.
Copyright ©2009 02038.com
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[post_content] => In 2007, a $5 million federal grant funded the installation of new decorative street lamps, brick crosswalks and new trees in the Franklin, MA downtown area.
Particular attention was given to the reconstruction of Union Street which was widened and resurfaced. The downtown streetscape was vastly improved with brick crosswalks, new curbing, new street lights
A state grant of $50,000 paid for the attractive municipal signs you see around town.
Copyright ©2009 02038.com
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[post_content] => The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit advocacy and support organization devoted to helping further revitalize the Franklin, MA downtown area. It has an office at 9 East Central Street in Franklin, MA.
The Franklin Downtown Partnership operates with the help of annual grants from the state. The group works with the offices of the Franklin Town Planner and the Town Administrator to improve the Franklin, MA downtown area.
The Partnership has formed a merchant’s subcommittee led by 3 downtown store owners; they are seeking to create one day a month for town residents to visit downtown to shop and see what’s new in the town center.
The Downtown Partnership organizes downtown beautification campaigns, such as the one conducted during the 2008 Holidays which saw wreaths and other decorations grace the town center.
Copyright ©2009 02038.com
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[post_content] => Blue skies and pleasant temperatures greeted the early morning volunteers at the Downtown Beautification Day held this past Sunday in the Town of Franklin, MA.
The Franklin, MA Downtown Partnership marked the kick-off of its 2009 season of activities and events by teaming up with the Franklin Garden Club to host this annual event dedicated to improving the look and feel of downtown Franklin.
Funded in part by contributions from local businesses and powered by the volunteer labor of Franklin residents, the annual spring event seeks to place up to 1000 flowering plants all over Franklin’s downtown area.
This labor of love makes the center of the town of Franklin, MA look cared-for and attractive throughout the spring and summer months. And it clearly demonstrates the importance of the Partnership and its committed, involved supporters to the continued vitality and appeal of the entire downtown business district!
Copyright ©2009 02038.com
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by Warren Reynolds
Despite suffering from many of the adverse economic influences that have plagued “Main Street” America over the last 3 decades, the downtown area of Franklin, MA has a number of special strengths that are contributing not only to its survival but also to its early 21st Century renaissance. Dean Collegebrings approximately 1000 students to the downtown area during every [...]
Tagged as: Downtown Franklin
{ 0 comments }
by Warren Reynolds
Franklin Center Commons in Franklin, MA is a $30 million private investment in Franklin’s downtown by Canton-based developer John Marini. This construction is transforming the Franklin, MA’s town center. Mr. Marini is building a multi-phased, mix-use development of condominiums and retail space in the heart of Franklin’s downtown. These developments are projected to bring new foot [...]
Tagged as: Franklin Center Commons
{ 0 comments }
by Warren Reynolds
In 2007, a $5 million federal grant funded the installation of new decorative street lamps, brick crosswalks and new trees in the Franklin, MA downtown area. Particular attention was given to the reconstruction of Union Street which was widened and resurfaced. The downtown streetscape was vastly improved with brick crosswalks, new curbing, new street lights [...]
{ 0 comments }
by Warren Reynolds
The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a non-profit advocacy and support organization devoted to helping further revitalize the Franklin, MA downtown area. It has an office at 9 East Central Street in Franklin, MA. The Franklin Downtown Partnership operates with the help of annual grants from the state. The group works with the offices of the [...]
Tagged as: Franklin Downtown Partnership
{ 0 comments }
by Warren Reynolds on May 18, 2009
Blue skies and pleasant temperatures greeted the early morning volunteers at the Downtown Beautification Day held this past Sunday in the Town of Franklin, MA. The Franklin, MA Downtown Partnership marked the kick-off of its 2009 season of activities and events by teaming up with the Franklin Garden Club to host this annual event dedicated [...]
Tagged as: Franklin Downtown Partnership
{ 0 comments }
by Warren Reynolds on March 14, 2009
In a recent appearance before the Franklin Planning Board, developer John Marini announced that he has halted the planned 3rd stage of his Franklin Center Commons project in downtown Franklin for at least three years. Marini blamed the delay on his inability to obtain construction financing. He also cited difficulties he has encountered in selling [...]
Tagged as: Franklin Center Commons
Warren Reynolds, Esq, GRI, e-PRO
Tel: 508.613.2889 | Contact
Century 21 Commonwealth
9 Main Street
Franklin, MA 02038
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