Going back to the beginning of the whole community center process, the various committees working up proposals have been fixated from the very beginning on a single community center that provided space for all of the needs of both parks and recreation and the COA. They made the case that this was the least expensive way to proceed, as lots of spaces can be shared. The claimed "overwhelming support for Ballfield road versus other sites" was a direct outcome of this focus. A south Lincoln option for this vision was deemed to require an underground parking garage which made that proposal seem unattractive and excessively costly.
The problem is the focus on a single monolithic community center. We started with the following problem: the pod space used by parks and recreation needs upgrades/repairs. The COA at Bemis was facing concerns about unsafe parking and a floor plan that made it difficult to provide privacy for individuals seeking certain types of services. Fine, I can accept those issues as needing to be addressed. However I do not accept that the monolithic put it all in one place approach is the only way to address the issues that parks and rec and the COA face. I think we have experienced significant mission creep. There is nothing inherently bad about this monolithic vision. The problem is that we have seen that it leads to a very expensive result. I believe that if we stepped back we could identify other approaches to the problem that are much less costly and that offer benefits that the Ballfield road proposal lacks (as Ken Hurd pointed out). In addition, all through this process we have been given proposals that appear to represent everything that COA and parks and rec wants. We have not ever been given a "plan B'" proposal that is "this will address our most pressing concerns, but leaves out important things that we wish we could have, in the interest of lowering costs." This is a huge process problem. When I look at the two current community center concepts I find that each of them include plenty of items that are "nice to have" and cannot possibly be deemed as "must have." Looking at the history of the school building project, the voters were given choices among a range of options, with some representing what the school department felt were all of its important wants (such as the classroom hub spaces) and some leaving out some of those features, The school building committee put these options before voters even though they requested that those lower cost proposals be shot down. At least we had a fair choice. Not "all of nothing" which is where we seem to be with the community center. I think it is unrealistic to assume that if we approve the design funding on Nov 30 that the community center committee will be able to trim significant costs from the two current high end proposals. Do you take rooms out of the middle of an architect's drawings? I do not expect that after all this time they would suddenly say "hey maybe there is another way." And, how do we know that the amount of funding requested is adequate to work up at least two proposals, one of which is nothing like either of the 2018 results, and would be more of a start from scratch? Here is a brief outline of an alternate approach to addressing the core original issues that started this whole community center process: -Keep parks and rec in the pods. Renovate the pods as necessary to address deficiences. -Have COA utilize rec dept. space at the pods for group exercise classes. Note that the schedule has almost all of these classes occuring during school hours, minimizing schedule conflicts. -Utilize various existing public spaces around town for COA sponsored group gatherings. The Tarbell Room at the library is a great place to hold gatherings, with a modern audio visual system donated by the Friends of the Lincoln Library. The Tarbell Room is currently reserved only about 20-25% of the time. Don't forget we still have the Bemis auditorium for large events. Meetings can be held at the Pierce House without conflicting with the weddings business. And hey, don't we have a school with a lecture hall, an auditorium, and a big common meeting space? Could we not sometimes hold big events in these public spaces, outside of school hours? -Locate COA/human services offices in rented space in South Lincoln, for example in the old Triple S pharmacy building. These services would be easily accessible to residents of Lincoln Woods, and any future housing that is developed down there. This is just a sketch of one example. Lots of variations can be created on this basic theme: do not force co-location of all COA and rec dept. functions. You can save big money by looking at this type of approach. I won't make this post even longer by starting to list the advantages beside cost reduction of this approach. But, Ken Hurd and others have already pointed out some of the benefits. Yes, if you separate some functions you might weaken the opportunities for intergenerational interaction. However, I question the reality of this thinking anyway. I believe that the number of students enrolled in school at the Ballfield Road campus who are interested in spending time with seniors who are not their grandparents is about zero. Maybe it would be a nice thing, but it feels like wishful thinking, and we have seen that it comes with a substantial cost. In summary, I suggest we not approve any further spending on community center proposals without getting one of more lower cost options on the table that do not stick to the current monolithic approach. I am mindful of the other financial needs in the near future: raises for teachers as a result of the next contract negotiations, serious issues at the DPW yard that require capital investment. Dennis Picker On Sat, Nov 26, 2022 at 9:42 AM sally kindleberger <skindleber...@gmail.com> wrote: > Why was that location turned down originally? > > On Sat, Nov 26, 2022 at 9:40 AM kathryn Corbin < > corbindes...@brown-corbin.com> wrote: > >> Ken, et al., >> Could not agree more, and said as much the last time the project was >> taking on steam. It’s precisely what the town needs as an >> inter-generational hub, gathering spot, place for special events be they >> exhibits, lectures, films, etc. It’s the only place anyone in town of any >> age currently and consistently goes, whether it’s kids after school for a >> snack, or to meet a friend for coffee, grab groceries, your dry cleaning or >> mail a package. Outdoor gathering space and parking already exist, so for >> my money, which like yours, if approved, will be spent, Lincoln Station >> makes perfect sense. >> Kathryn Corbin >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> Please excuse any typos, >> (which I declare are the exclusive fault of auto spell-check!) >> >> On Nov 26, 2022, at 8:38 AM, Andy Wang <andyrw...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >> >> >> In the discussion above, I'm unclear if folks are advocating for a >> community center (both COA and Parks & Rec) or a senior center (and keep >> Parks & Rec in the pods) in the spaces around Lincoln Station. But just >> some additional food for thought, on the Parks and Rec side, I believe that >> it was viewed as important to keep spaces accessible to the school campus. >> With the programs for kids, it is convenient for kids to be able to get to >> those programs easily. Not all kids are old enough to walk over by >> themselves. LEAP also takes several of its kids over to the programs that >> parents sign up for and pick them up that may not be right after school. >> >> - Andy >> >> >> >> >> On Sat, Nov 26, 2022 at 8:15 AM June L Matthews <matth...@mit.edu> wrote: >> >>> Excellent statement, Ken! I hope that the proposal to change gears and >>> consider a community center at Lincoln Station gains some traction. I would >>> vote in favor of allocating funds to study this option. After reading the >>> many comments and thinking carefully about the issues, I would not vote in >>> favor of allocating funds directed only toward the Hartwell proposals. I >>> can’t remember, ten years ago, what led to the choice of this location. >>> For all the reasons expressed by you and a few others, I believe that this >>> choice, although well-intentioned, was misguided. Let’s put the community >>> center in the center of our community – accessible by foot or bike by many, >>> and for those using their cars, adjacent to other essential services >>> (groceries, post office, etc.) >>> >>> >>> >>> June Matthews >>> >>> Greenridge Lane >>> >>> >>> >>> *From:* Lincoln <lincoln-boun...@lincolntalk.org> *On Behalf Of *Ken >>> Hurd >>> *Sent:* Friday, November 25, 2022 9:55 PM >>> *To:* LincolnTalk <lincoln@lincolntalk.org> >>> *Cc:* Margaret P Flint <margaretpfl...@gmail.com> >>> *Subject:* [LincolnTalk] Community Center >>> >>> >>> >>> Hello LincolnTalkers, >>> >>> I wish to applaud all those who have taken the time to revisit and >>> question the financial pros and cons of building a community center at this >>> time, and thanks particularly to those who have recently commented on the >>> advisability of building it at the Hartwell site. >>> >>> >>> >>> I fully support building a new facility, but it has long been my opinion >>> that such a major investment by the town should be deployed where it is >>> most needed - namely in the Lincoln Station area. For more than ten years >>> since Town Meeting approved the Comprehensive Long Range Plan, in which the >>> revitalization of Lincoln Station was overwhelmingly one of the highest >>> priorities, the area has lain dormant and in serious need of a catalyst to >>> jumpstart its transformation into the compact, vital, walkable village >>> center that was a stated goal at the time. A community center in such a >>> location would be the equivalent of an anchor store in a retail setting, >>> and by virtue of attracting more people on a regular basis, it would create >>> more opportunities for a clustered cross-current of activities spawning >>> greater social interaction. >>> >>> >>> >>> In my opinion, it would constitute the classic suburban planning error >>> to create a new center that stands alone like the suburban mall accessible >>> only by car. In addition, because of school protocols, there would be very >>> limited inter-generational co-mingling until after school hours, if at >>> all. And, even if there weren’t a greater awareness about the effects of >>> climate change, wouldn’t it make far more sense to locate a community >>> center where there are already other crucial services such as the post >>> office, grocery store, cleaners, a cafe and restaurant, etc.? >>> >>> >>> >>> If the vote for more funding fails at the Special Town Meeting next >>> Wednesday evening, November 30th, I urge residents, the Selects and the >>> Planning Board to seriously reconsider Lincoln Station as the location that >>> would best serve the interests and greater good of the town going forward. >>> >>> >>> >>> Thank you for all those who have weighed in on this discussion. >>> >>> >>> >>> Respectfully, >>> >>> Ken Hurd >>> >>> >>> Lifting the Human Spirit by Design >>> 781-259-3300 >>> 781-259-8900 cell >>> www.keha.com >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Nov 25, 2022, at 1:02 PM, John F. Carr <voxsciuro...@gmail.com> >>> wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>> I just skimmed over the 2015 report which is the foundation for what >>> we are discussing. >>> >>> That report tried to steer people away from the Lincoln Station area. >>> One of the six options was to build on the commuter rail parking lot >>> and include an underground parking garage (the most expensive kind of >>> parking) to make up for lost parking. Since then COVID killed >>> commuter rail. The parking lot is just another town-owned vacant lot. >>> >>> When you take the cost of an underground garage out of the picture, >>> the commuter rail parking lot becomes the cheapest building site (in >>> 2015 dollars, and including the cost of renovating Hartwell facilities >>> that don't move). It has the advantage of being near shops, Codman, >>> and Lincoln Woods. We might end up with a community center rather >>> than a place one drives to and drives home from. >>> >>> On Fri, Nov 25, 2022 at 10:16 AM Margaret P Flint >>> <margaretpfl...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>> >>> How about this idea for the Community Center: the building at the Mall >>> at Lincoln Station now occupied by Something Special and Lincoln Dog >>> Training. >>> >>> Several things in its favor: >>> >>> -It is across the street from Ryan Estates Greenridge, and >>> adjacent to Lincoln Woods. >>> >>> -There are two restaurants adjacent which would eliminate the >>> need for a food preparation area, a significant cost. >>> >>> -Also, there is a grocery store right there, which would allow >>> users to double up on car trips. >>> >>> -There is ample parking. >>> >>> There are two downsides that I can think of. I’m sure there are more. >>> >>> - Something Special would need to move. But I see a for rent >>> sign across the street. Perhaps the cost of moving Something Special could >>> be built into the cost of renovating for a Community Center. The dog >>> training facility is also there, but it is my understanding >>> that most of that work takes place outside the building. >>> >>> -The Rural Land Foundation would lose rent revenue. >>> >>> Thoughts? >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >>> Browse the archives at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> >>> -- >>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >>> Browse the archives at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> >>> >>> -- >>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >>> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >>> Browse the archives at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> >>> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >> Browse the archives at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> >> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. >> Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. >> Browse the archives at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> >> -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org. > Search the archives at http://lincoln.2330058.n4.nabble.com/. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
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