Dedham Corporate Station

Train Access (0.00 / 0)

To clarify a few points in the above post-- the town has been apprised of the issue of the closed gate, and has been working for several weeks with the MBTA to come to an agreement on how best to allow for safe access from Rustcraft Road. The T maintains that they have serious liability concerns with the "hole in the fence", which is why they began locking the unauthorized access earlier this fall.

As of yesterday, Town Administrator Bill Keegan seems to have come to an agreement with the MBTA, who has said there will be temporary access constructed by Monday.

As for a long term solution, the Planning Board decision surrounding Station 250 requires that property owner to pay for safe pedestrian access to the station from Rustcraft Road. The folks at Station 250 have been in conversation with the MBTA about the best way to do that (signalized pedestrian crossing, potential upgrades on T property for crossing the tracks, etc.)

On top of that commitment, the town has applied for a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) grant to further improve the area. While we first thought we'd hear about the grant in August, the timetable was pushed back to this fall. We were concerned that the grant might fall victim to the ongoing state budget crisis, but have since been reassured the program is funded by federal money and grants will be awarded. We have gotten feedback from the state that our proposal is very competitive and are waiting to hear what will hopefully be good news.

Sarah MacDonald
Selectman

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by: Sarah MacDonald @ Thu Oct 23, 2008 at 08:18:34 AM CDT

Zoning Board of Appeals approves 40B's, not the Planning Board (0.00 / 0)

Sarah, just to clarify, the Planning Board never reviewed or approved either 40B project (JPI or Jefferson Station).  Both 40B's were reviewed and approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals as they are the permit granting authority for 40B's. Included in either one or both of those ZBA decisions was/were pedestrian access requirement provisions to Dedham Corporate Station.

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by: dedhamdave @ Sun Nov 02, 2008 at 04:52:41 AM CST

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Sorry! (0.00 / 0)

You're absolutely right-- thanks for that clarification.

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by: Sarah MacDonald @ Mon Nov 03, 2008 at 08:34:30 AM CST

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hope this gets resolved (0.00 / 0)

That situation has been ongoing for years. People have been crawling through the fence and scrambling over the hill to cars that wait to pick them up for as long as I can remember. I think I read somewhere that there is a shuttle van or something that can drive you from the apartments all the way to the other side--a crazy idea.

Perhaps this situation will resolve sometime after the Washington Street / 128 bridge is done :)

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by: daveatkins @ Thu Oct 23, 2008 at 14:52:39 PM CDT

TOTALLY MISSING THE HISTORY (0.00 / 0)

The reason there is no access to Rustcraft Road is because there was NEVER supposed to be access.  One of the conditions that allowed Dedham Corporate to be built there was that the Town (i.e. Selectmen) guaranteed the neighbors of the Rustcraft, Robinwood Road areas that there would NEVER be an outlet onto Rustcraft Road.  Those cars that wait there every night on the shoulder of the road are doing so in violation. The only access allowed was supposed to be through Allied Drive.  God forbid someone might actually have to drive around.  Just because two housing developments have been built there now and having direct access to an MBTA station is a selling point to them, the Town should stand by their promise to the neighbors of that area.  

If you have bikers and walkers climbing over fences that's too bad.  It was never intended to be able to access Dedham Corporate from that side.  People have cut holes in the fences or walked to the very end to access something they are not entitled to.  

The Town needs to honor their promise to the neighborhoods.  And to those who want to argue that those complexes are in the neighborhoods, they aren't.  No one is speeding down their streets trying to catch a train, or cutting through their residental neighborhoods instead of driving around.  This is a quality of life issue and once again, the quality of life in Dedham is continually deteriorating.  The Selectmen need to step up and honor their commitments.

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by: Tony @ Thu Oct 23, 2008 at 18:51:10 PM CDT

Tony is right!! (0.00 / 0)

I remember hearing about that agreement when Dedham Corporate was built.  There was also concern about people stopping and getting hit along Rustcraft Road and people walking along the road where there are no sidewalks.  I'm surprised that no one in that neighborhood has followed up on that.  I guess they have bigger issues coming their way, I'm sorry to say.

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by: Theresa J @ Thu Oct 23, 2008 at 19:59:20 PM CDT

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Good question (0.00 / 0)

While it is important for the town to stay true to their word about not having Rustcraft Road access to the Dedham Corporate Center, the other perspective on the issue that commuter safety and access needs to be addressed. If a businness professional that lives in Jefferson Station or Station 250 needs to use the train, they are going to either find a way to cross over/through the fence or move out of the complex altogether and will probably be replaced by someone who doesn't require the services of the MBTA Commuter Rail. It is a big draw for young professional commuters who want the pleasure of the Legacy Place Lifestyle Center and the MBTA commuter rail at their doorstep.
    If people are going to cross, why not make it pedestrian friendly, classy, and safe.

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by: GreenBandit @ Thu Oct 23, 2008 at 20:24:59 PM CDT

Good question (0.00 / 0)

While it is important for the town to stay true to their word about not having Rustcraft Road access to the Dedham Corporate Center, the other perspective on the issue that commuter safety and access needs to be addressed. If a businness professional that lives in Jefferson Station or Station 250 needs to use the train, they are going to either find a way to cross over/through the fence or move out of the complex altogether and will probably be replaced by someone who doesn't require the services of the MBTA Commuter Rail. It is a big draw for young professional commuters who want the pleasure of the Legacy Place Lifestyle Center and the MBTA commuter rail at their doorstep.
    If people are going to cross, why not make it pedestrian friendly, classy, and safe.

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by: GreenBandit @ Thu Oct 23, 2008 at 20:24:59 PM CDT

interesting (0.00 / 0)

that's interesting news from Sarah. thank you. I wasn't aware the neighbors did not want access to the train. Perhaps none of them commute to Boston but I would think a safe way to walk or bike to the train from their neighborhood would be an asset. I haven't heard any complaints from the neighbors near the Endicott Station, perhaps b/c the road situation is very different. I would think the two big apartment buildings and Legacy Place is more of a detriment to the neighborhood than safe train access.

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by: recycle @ Thu Oct 23, 2008 at 21:00:44 PM CDT

the history is interesting, but maybe the needs have changed (0.00 / 0)

Please forgive me; I know I'm an outsider from Westwood. But I have walked (not driven!) through that neighborhood many times, and I just can't see why people would not want easy pedestrian access from Rustcraft Road to the train station. It seems to me Robinwood Road has been "landlocked" into oblivion. If the train were walkable...along with the shops of Legacy Place...that might actually raise property values and make the neighborhood a more desirable place to live. It sucks if you've lived there all your life and watched the continual encroachment of development isolate you and back up up against the wall of 128, but right now, I can't see why anyone would want to move in to that neighborhood.

The neighborhoods between Route 1 and Washington St are in a similar bind. Isolated and surrounded by high traffic roads...I mean no offense, but they are NOT desirable places to move to right now. But if you put in sidewalks and connected the residential areas with pedestrian access--while stopping commercial development where it ends now--I think these areas could be very convenient, desirable locations for people to live. Maybe I'm a special case, but when we looked for a home, our first criteria was to be within walking distance of the commuter rail.

But if you have lived there all your life...or have no use for the train--I can see how your opinion might differ. And I have no idea what was promised from Dedham Corporate Center--it seems like a big parking lot now. But isn't it possible the needs of the area have changed and maybe improving access to the train station could make the neighborhood better--not hurt it?

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by: daveatkins @ Thu Oct 23, 2008 at 22:53:59 PM CDT

It's too bad (0.00 / 0)

I didn't know residents were promised that the Dedham Corp train stop would never let out on the Rustcraft.  That's a shame.  There is no way that the town will keep that promise at this point.

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by: Easting @ Fri Oct 24, 2008 at 13:09:42 PM CDT

Once again ... (0.00 / 0)

Those who do not remember history are condemned to repeat it!

It was just not Robinhood Road, but many residence in the Rustcraft Road area of Endicott that stood firm that there would be no access to the train station from Rustcraft Road. The train station was developed to service Allied Drive and the parking lot there. Cars coming off 128 could easily access the train station.

Of course, as development grew on Rustcraft, these developers sold it as "easy access" to commuter rail. So those who bought in expect that. Will the town bend to developers once again? Of course, with one Selectman living there, I'll lay odds this happens. Will Rustcraft road become an annex lot and cut-through for the train station? You bet!

I do think it was a fatal mistake to NOT give access, but such is one persons opinion. But the Town requested and got the station the way it is. I say a great revenue generator! Send down the tow truck and start collecting money!

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by: cebonvini @ Sat Oct 25, 2008 at 13:36:30 PM CDT

Fix it. (0.00 / 0)

I remember the no-access requirement. I also think it should be changed for the residents of the buildings across the street. I would allow pedestrian access, but no parking at the site. Design it so that there's no room for parking. If people try to do pickups anyway, send the cops up there and ticket them.  

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by: MarkB @ Mon Nov 03, 2008 at 08:57:11 AM CST

The new parking fees could change things... (0.00 / 0)

On November 15th when the new parking rates go into effect for all MBTA owned lots (a $2.00 increase - in most cases DOUBLING the current fee per day) it will be interesting to see how many people park on the side of the road, park at Vinny T's or the hotel and walk over or park in Visitor parking in the apartments and walk over to avoid paying for parking.

Dedham could make a lot of $$$$ in tickets but the apartment complex renters might get more aggravation than convenience.

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by: dj @ Mon Nov 03, 2008 at 12:19:09 PM CST

Globe article link..... (0.00 / 0)

here is the Globe Article

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by: dj @ Mon Nov 03, 2008 at 12:46:38 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I don't think people are that dishonest. (0.00 / 0)

Are you? I would never think of that. I would expect more people would just want to walk or ride their bike to the train instead of paying higher parking fees. Not parking illegally.
I'm saddened somebody would even think of that and put such an idea out there.  

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by: recycle @ Tue Nov 04, 2008 at 16:09:42 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I never said dishonest but you must not take the train... (0.00 / 0)

Most people that take the train from Dedham Corporate  drive to the train station. They live too far from the station to walk and most of the other stations fill up early(the Endicott lot is full generally by 7:00am.) It has nothing to do with being dishonest. If you were faced with a 100% increase in your parking fees, your train ticket was going to go up in the new year, all your bills have gone up, you have not received a raise at work and you live too far from the station to walk what do you do? You look for an alternative place to park where you don't have to pay.

Some people are going to park illegally and they will get towed or get tickets but other honest people will try and find a legal parking space that is free and close to the train.

I drive to one of the train stations in Dedham and there is no way I can afford a 100% increase in parking rates. I have time constrictions that make it not possible for me to walk from my home and I can not ride a bike to the train in business attire in the rain and snow or 100% humidity so I am going to park in the neighborhood closest to my station - in a legal spot but probably in front of someone's house who would rather not have their streets filled with cars.

All I am saying is that I think the increase in parking fees will have an impact in the neighborhoods around the T stations and, with the new gateway to the T from Rustcraft Rd, I would suspect that neighborhood to see a difference.

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by: dj @ Tue Nov 04, 2008 at 19:35:36 PM CST

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