A new look for village in the works

The project also aims to maintain the historic character of West Acton Village, draw in new customers for its businesses, and beautify the landscaping.

"We feel it's a really strong community-based intergenerational anchor that will pull people into the village and reinforce the identity that is here," said Mathias Rosenfeld, who is leading the West Acton Village Ecology project for his father's firm, the Office of Michael Rosenfeld Inc.

"There's already something nice that's here. We're not trying to create a new thing out of nothing."

Town Planner Roland Bartl said development has slowed in Acton, and the proposed project, though not large, could be a boost to the neighborhood and the entire community.

"The buildings are all vacant at the moment," Bartl said. "They need work and this is a way to bring them back. It could be a real asset to the village."

The project would extend the village, which now stretches along Massachusetts Avenue between Spruce and Central streets, and create more of a distinctive gateway for traffic coming from the east.

The plans call for renovating three homes and a barn owned by the Rosenfeld firm, and building a new structure at the back of its property at Spruce Street. The new building would feature an auditorium and community meeting room for banquets, exercise groups or poetry classes, with parking contained on its ground level.

The new construction will be screened from the street by the historic buildings.

Shops, offices, and restaurants would fill the renovated homes. One building would feature a wall opened up to the street, and lobby area providing space for activities such as a farmers market or a crafts fair.

Plans also call for new sidewalks and trees, including a birch grove with a picnic area and views of the wetlands, and a rain garden to contain runoff. A crosswalk would connect the new development with a playground across the street.

The firm has held an open house and an informational meeting to showcase its proposal and give residents and business owners an opportunity to ask questions. So far, feedback has been positive, Rosenfeld said.

"I think it's going to be an absolutely wonderful project," said Rick Gordon, owner of Savoury Lane, a West Acton restaurant. "It's going to encourage walking traffic and I think it's going to be done in a way so that it will also become a point of interest."

Karen LaRoche, owner of the Moodz day spa in West Acton, applauded the designs and said she hopes the project brings more people to the area.

The Board of Selectmen's chairwoman, Paulina Knibbe, said the firm has communicated well with the town and neighbors. While most feedback has been positive, Knibbe said, some residents are concerned that the project would create too much traffic and change the character of the village.

Rosenfeld said the firm will continue working with residents, and would drop the project if the town is opposed to it.

"We've sensed a lot of support and that's why we're moving forward," he said. "We're doing this because we want to help the community. We're not trying to force this down people's throats."

All the buildings are in a historic district, which means renovation work must adhere to strict guidelines. The permitting process, which would include the Historic District Commission, Board of Health, Conservation Commission, and Board of Selectmen, is expected to start this spring. The process of arranging leases and financing would begin this summer, and construction could begin next spring if all goes well, Rosenfeld said.

The economic climate may not be right for construction, Rosenfeld said, but it's perfect for planning. The firm hopes that by putting plans together now, it will be ready to break ground when the economy turns around.

"We really feel in times like this you need to be planning and getting ready," he said. "As things turn around, we'll be ready to go with something. We really think this type of project is what the economy will be supporting as we move forward."

He said the firm's motivation for the project stems from its frustration with recent development trends - big-box stores pulling people out of downtowns - and described West Acton Village Ecology as encouraging people to walk and take advantage of a variety of services, whether it's going to the playground and getting ice cream, or eating dinner and seeing a show.

The Office of Michael Rosenfeld is in the former St. Elizabeth's church at Spruce Street and Massachusetts Avenue. The firm purchased the property after the church was closed in 1983 and renovated it into office space. Since then, Rosenfeld has been buying up nearby parcels, and now owns an adjacent building, which has been renovated for office meetings, as well as the three vacant houses and the barn.

The playground across the street is well-used but has no parking. Residents park illegally on a stretch of the state road that remains wide until it's closer to Spruce Street.

In 2001, the village's zoning was changed from residential to business, allowing for more potential uses, Rosenfeld said. Since then, the firm's architects have been trying to come up with a plan for the village.

"We feel a responsibility to do something nice for our community," he said. "We're not out-of-town people who will leave. We are here and want the village to continue to be the wonderful place is already is."

Jennifer Fenn Lefferts can be reached at jflefferts@yahoo.com.