Dedham Square has a remarkable history. The downtown has a robust mix of uses that include over 18 restaurants or places to eat in close proximity to one another. Over the last few years, recent construction is filling in the gaps between historic buildings and raising the level of discourse about what the future of Dedham Square should look like.
There is a perception that the Town is “built out”. However, there is still room to grow. Certain parcels close to Providence Highway are underutilized and would benefit from greater density and a more robust mix of uses. Paradoxically, potential areas for new growth are also very close to the historic building fabric. There are five blocks that are nestled between the historic buildings and the highway which are best positioned for redevelopment. This is where Design Guidelines will have the biggest impact.
Following the adoption of the Design Guidelines, the Dedham Square Planning Committee (DSPC) undertook a more detailed study of one of the key properties – the Police Station property at 600 High Street which is soon to be vacated. After exploring four possible future uses for the Town property, the DSPC voted unanimously to recommend a Town Green that will provide the most advantages to the Dedham community. including environmental, economic, safety, and community benefits. The combination of economic development, environmental, and safety improvements should make the project attractive to federal, state, and private funders.
Town of Dedham
Block Framework
The incremental way in which towns grow, in fits and starts as individual property owners make development decisions, belies the fact that the aggregate impacts can radically alter the composition of a place. Strategic mixed used development on low density, single use sites will create cohesion along High Street and help to mend the scar of the highway.