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:
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 [...]
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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 [...]
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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 [...]
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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 [...]
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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 [...]
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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 [...]
Warren Reynolds, Esq, GRI, e-PRO
Tel: 508.613.2889 | Contact
Century 21 Commonwealth
15 West Central Street
Franklin, MA 02038
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