Shoppes at Bellingham
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The Shoppes at Bellingham is a major development that has been proposed in the heavily congested area of North Bellingham, Massachusetts and Interstate 495. Proposed by S.R. Weiner and W/S Development of Chestnut Hill, the two phase development will include 550,000 square feet of retail space, restaurants, hotels, and office buildings all in a "lifestyle center" setting.
Phase One of the development consists of rerouting state route 126 behind an existing plaza which includes a Home Depot and Toys "R" Us, and linking it with North Main Street. The existing bridge over Interstate 495 would also be rerouted and widened, and new on and off ramps would be created to accommodate the new shopping center. Phase One will include only retail, as Phase Two will most likely contain hotels and office buildings.
While lifestyle centers are a relatively new concept competing with indoor malls, several have already been built in Massachusetts, including the Derby Street Shops in Hingham, Wayside Commons in Burlington, and the new Legacy Place in Dedham. The most desirable feature of lifestyle centers are the close parking, pedestrian traffic, a "Main Street" feel and look, and lush landscaping. This particular development however, is slated to have a large parking structure located at the rear of the property, as parking and traffic are a major problem in the area.
What is different about this lifestyle center will be the absence of any "big-box" stores like Macy's, J.C. Penney, or Nordstrom. Instead, the shopping center will consist of 90-100 upscale stores, such as Williams-Sonoma, White House Black Market, Banana Republic, and Victoria's Secret. Despite its harsh winter, outdoor dining facilities will also be featured at possible restaurants like P.F. Chang's or the Olive Garden.
One of the biggest feats the developer has to overcome is the towns willingness to add more development to an already overdeveloped area. S.R. Weiner already has 3 other shopping centers in the area, totaling almost 750,000 square feet. Traffic is the primary concern of residents, especially during the holidays when police officers are stationed at traffic lights to control them by hand. Also, the developer has to work with the Massachusetts Highway Department to start construction of a new highway interchange.
As of November 9, 2006, the developer was working with town officials to rezone some of the area to add an access road through an industrial zoned area. Proposed opening date is at the end of 2008.
On January, 10, 2007, the Milford Daily News reported that the town must complete road improvements to the 126/140 intersection in the town center, about 3 miles from the Shoppes at Bellingham project before S.R. Weiner can resubmit plans for secondary road access to the plaza, along with another on and off ramp onto 495.
In early March 2007, S.R. Weiner unveiled a sample painting of the lifestyle center, as well as an aerial map. The painting shows a multi-level Crate & Barrel, Panera Bread, and Talbots. These tenants however have not yet been confirmed, but are consistent with other lifestyle centers in the area. The aerial map shows the center as being right next to the highway, with one access road coming from Hartford Avenue and the highway on/off ramp. Parking is mostly centered around the center, but with side streets coming in and out of the center.
Currently, S.R. Weiner continues with preparations to submit a site plan to the Planning Board, and has filed a notice of intent and draft Environmental Impact Report to the Conservation Commission. The town is in the process of undergoing major traffic improvements, and S.R. Weiner is working together with them to ensure that the new lifestyle center does not affect the town center and local side streets. However, the center is almost certain to get the go-ahead, as the project falls within the boundaries of the town's master plan and established commercial zoning areas, and would require only a majority vote from Town Meeting for it to be built. The project could provide up to $1.2 million a year in property taxes for the town.
The closest outdoor mall is the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets in Wrentham, approximately 10 miles to the south.
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