Planning for a Changing Brookline
The Planning for a Changing Brookline Series is an initiative led by the Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB) that aims to take a broad approach towards planning in the Town of Brookline. The series thus far has been focused on identifying ways to attract contextually appropriate commercial and mixed use development to the Town so that residents can benefit from the additional services that this type of development supports.
As part of the Planning for a Changing Brookline series, EDAB is currently engaged in a Visioning for Brookline’s Commercial Areas. We want to hear your vision for commercial and mixed use development in the Town of Brookline so that we can work to implement strategies and goals to achieve that vision.
Vision for Brookline's Commercial Areas
Thanks to everyone that participated in 2017 to help the Economic Development Advisory Board come up with a Vision for Brookline's Commercial Areas. This study included workshops, community events, online surveys, and public forums.
Perspectives & Opportunities for Brookline's Commercial Areas (PDF)
Previous Related Workshops
To date, the Town has hosted two sessions with the goal of learning more about how to work effectively together to get the kind of commercial and mixed use development that works for Brookline.
The first session, hosted in June of 2015, was a convening of multiple Town boards to discuss redevelopment criteria for long-term mixed use commercial district properties. The goal of this meeting was to get the many boards who work with developers in Brookline on the same page about the kind of commercial and mixed use development that works for Brookline.
Part One: June 8, 2015 Economic Development Advisory Board Workshop
Workshop Notes (PDF)
Presentation (PDF)
The second session was held in December 2015 to hear the developer’s perspective on how the Town can position itself to be more attractive to commercial and mixed-use developers while still achieving the Town goals. The workshop featured a panel of speakers including Ted Tye, George Cole, Jennifer Gilbert and Ken Goldstein representing the perspective of a developer, consultant, Town Counsel, and former Chair of the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen.
Part Two: December 7, 2015 Economic Development Advisory Board Workshop
Workshop Notes (PDF)
How to Get What We Want from Developers Presentation (PDF)
Economic Development Advisory Board
The Planning for a Changing Brookline series has been spearheaded by the Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB). The mission of EDAB is to foster appropriate economic growth to support town programs and services and to increase the amount of commercial property so that the commercial taxes can constitute a greater percentage of the overall tax base.
EDAB promotes the vitality of Brookline’s commercial areas within a framework that recognizes dearly-held town values about preserving and enhancing the character of neighborhoods, appreciating diversity, and the role of affordable housing in maintaining that character, historic preservation, open space, and high quality schools and other town services.
Contact Us
For more information on this series, the Vision for Brookline’s Commercial Areas, or any of our upcoming events, be sure to reach out to Kara Brewton, Economic Development Director at [email protected].