Washington Street Vision Plan &
Zoning Code
Client Challenge | Washington Street in Newton, Massachusetts, is an auto-centric four-lane thoroughfare that runs through several village centers in the city. Adjacent to the commuter rail and only several miles from Cambridge and Boston, Newton receives substantial development pressure. City residents and staff desired to approach the issue more proactively than they had done in the past.
Team Approach | Principle led a comprehensive corridor planning process with the City of Newton to proactively plan Washington Street's future. The thirteen-month process resulted in a vision plan and form-based zoning code for the neighborhoods that link West Newton to Newtonville to Newton Corner. Throughout the planning process, our team engaged with the public in interactive design activities, workshops, and community cookouts to learn more about the study area, public preferences and educate citizens about zoning and form-based codes.
From the desk of Mayor Fuller: “Russell Preston and the staff at the Principle Group have a unique track record of effective, intensive neighborhood involvement. They will be helping us do something really difficult – develop consensus on the mix of office; retail and housing; building heights and density; automobile, bicycle, pedestrian and mass transit strategies; open space; and other issues from the vibrancy of Washington Street’s village centers to encouraging arts & culture and small, local businesses.”
Location
Washington Street Corridor, Newton, MA
Client
City of Newton
Year
2018-2019
Team
Principle
Street Plans
Urban Advisors
Kittleson Associates
TischlerBise
Imai Keller Moore
Carrico Illustration
Disciplines
Urban Design
Planning
Community Engagement
Awards
•2020 Urbanism Award | Congress for the New Urbanism New England
Proposed conditions of Harvard Street.
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