Debate Shaping Up Over Proposed MarketStreet Lynnfield Cinema
Possible town meeting warrant will ask voters to approve what is described as a specialty cinema at MarketStreet Lynnfield. The debate looks like it won't be an easy one.
As reported last week on this website, National Development expects to ask voters at Lynnfield town meeting to approve what is described as a speciality cinema for Phase 2 of the MarketStreet Lynnfield project.
Phase 2 would not open until late 2014 or early 2015, Ted Tye of National Development told Lynnfield Patch earlier this month. For a look at the businesses that will open with Phase 1 of MarketStreet Lynnfield in late summer, click here.
While the proposed 8-screen cinema itself is new, discussions of a movie theater at MarketStreet Lynnfield have been going on since the earliest days of the project in 2007 when an initial proposal envisioned 16 screens before being scaled back.
A movie theater was not included as a permitted zoning use back in 2007 for what would become MarketStreet Lynnfield, and in 2009, the idea came up short of the required two-thirds majority at town meeting. Still, Tye pointed out last week that the proposal was still able to get a majority vote while the recession was still underway and while construction was still very far off. This year's town meeting is scheduled for April 29th.
This week, Lynnfield residents Wallace McKenzie and Joe DeMaina spoke with Lynnfield Patch about their concerns regarding the proposed specialty cinema. Both are among the Lynnfield residents who live closest to the project. Since the early days of the project, the two have been among its most high-profile critics. During this week's conversation with Lynnfield Patch, both reiterated their longstanding beliefs that project in the long run will be bad for the town's property values and character - while also maintaining that the movie theater is inconsistent with MarketStreet as an upscale destination.
"One fear is that this thing will continually get worse if you don't make a stand at some point," said DeMaina. "You have to at some point enforce the rules that everyone agreed to."
For his part, McKenzie downplayed the idea that the two were speaking out in opposition to the proposed cinema at MarketStreet. "It's not opposing it," he said. "What we're asking is for National Development to honor the commitment that was made back in 2007."
McKenzie also believes that town voters' initial approval of MarketStreet "never would have happened" if they had known that six years later, the question of a cinema would be back front and center. While Phase 2 would not open until perhaps 2015, the two also noted that the traffic upgrades at Walnut Street and the initial police/fire needs were not made with the expectation of a theater in the mix. Five or so months before the first store has opened off Walnut Street, said DeMaina, there's "not enough room" for traffic under the current layout.
Last week, Tye told Lynnfield Patch that the proposed cinema is "something really tailored to this development and Lynnfield" and that it would also be a a third to half the size of movie theaters found elsewhere on Route 128. The National Development managing partner also reported that the cinema would be located in a far corner of MarketStreet with no abutters and that it would be "a little more upscale than normal theaters."
Still, both McKenzie and DeMaina questioned just how possible it is to define the "specialty" part of "specialty theater," and they also raised the possibility that in some future year, town voters could be asked to approve more movie screens. McKenzie also noted that a movie theater was one of 14 uses prohibited under zoning bylaws in 2007 for the site. "It's an 8-screen multiplex, let's get over it," said McKenzie.
Editor's Note: Joe DeMaina is the father of Patch Associate Regional Editor Daniel DeMaina.
Joe DeMaina
8:19 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
As far as the traffic-ND told the town that the traffic flow would be better that any impact would be mitigated by their ramp improvements.The mall hasn't yet opened and traffic is worse already. Mass Highway rated the interchange an F before improvements and now only rates it a C. A multiplex will only make it far worse.ND should live up to their promises and one agreement was no movies theatres.It's an issue of fairness.It's simply not fair to have the quality of the life and property values of the mall's neighbors steadily degraded. Especially when ND made an agreement that there would be no theatre to get their mall approved in the first place. Let's try to remember this is a town that would not let a Dunkin Donuts open in the center of town because "there will be to much traffic". A theatre would bring a huge influx of more traffic.
Debbie
8:34 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
I want to know WHY this has to be brought up for yet another vote. We voted NO once, how can the same issue be revisited years later. No is NO. I plan to be at the meeting on 2/25 and hope to see the room pack. I am also upset with the 3 sets of lights that are never in sync on Walnut St, and the traffic that builds up onto 128. Does someone have to die on the ramp before we realize the traffic lights are not doing the job promised to us....AND the stores aren't even open. These are MAJOR issues that need to be addressed now.
Craig Foster
8:53 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
OK, I take the walnut st exit every day during the evening rush hour and the traffic NEVER backs to 128. I live by the site and would welcome the specialty movie theater. It would be great to be able to walk to the movies to see the latest movies.
We aren't talking some massive multiplex we are probably talking something on a smaller scale with small seating capacity and probably something like in seat dining. I think you need to look at the benefits to the town in an area that effects very few residents.
The complex will not hurt most house values in Lynnfield it will actually make them better because you have close access to these specialty stores. It will also hoepfully have the effect of keeping the rise in taxes down since that property is far more valuable and will drive more tax revenue to the town than the empty former golf course did.
Sydney
9:22 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Craig -
The cost alone for additional Fire, Police, EMS, and School costs for the kids which will occupy the 180 housing units will outpace the tax revenue ... Even the $1,000,000 the town received upfront was gone in the blink of an eye to purchase a Fire Ladder truck.
We would have been far better off with a housing development in line with other Lynnfield houses
Debbie
10:09 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
If you go back and read the comment from a former Lynnfield resident, who now lives in CT, he explained that they too were promised "SPECIALITY" shops, and restaurants, but after only ONE year they all folded, and his town is left with a regular, noisy shopping mall. They use the word speciality to lure us in. AND I was on 128 on the ramp, the last car, as other cars were whizzing by....so it did happen to me, however, it was during the contruction time. I am not as afraid of house values going down, as I am of losing our "small town" character. We have zoning laws to protect against any building over 50' and we will loose that because the cinema is over 50'. Once we do it for one, we have to do it for others. ANd here we go....
Jay
12:19 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Craig, MS has not opened yet? Wait until the bottlenecks begin. Wakefield is opposing a main entrance off exit 42.. of course.
Peggy Lentini
11:32 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013
Craig, The reason its not backing up at rush hour yet is because market street isn't open yet. Get it? Whats gonna happen over there when the movies start or let out?Thats when the traffic nightmare will begin. Good luck with that.
Kristin White
9:04 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
For those who live close to the development, the quality of life has gone down hill steadily over the past two years. From blasting that went on for months, to traffic so heavy we cannot get out of our driveways, to an eyesore that gets worse every time we drive down Walnut St., this is a disaster. Now it is clear that even the minor restrictions the local residents were able to impose are going to be ignored. I miss the small town we used to enjoy. What a shame.
Craig Foster
9:11 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Kristin of course at the moment it is an eyesore it is in the middle of construction in the middle of winter. Wait till it is done in the spring and summer and it will look far nicer than the over grown grass and empty parking lot it was.
I drive Walnut Street EVERYDAY and seen no issues with traffic. It may get worse when it opens but I doubt it. I think people are underrating the positive impact that this will have on the town.
The biggest one being starting to bring out of control tax rates into control with the extra tax revenue generated from the site.
Wallace McKenzie
7:05 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Craig, the deal was no cinema. going from a golf course to 395,000 sq ft of retail space, was what the neighbors and town accepted.
Craig Foster
9:14 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
And Debbie the town didn't actually say NO a majority of the town voted yes for the theater but because of needing a 2/3 majority it didn't pass and I say if a majority of the town wants it than they should be able to build it.
Sydney
9:25 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Craig, respectfully, it's time to hit the history books and to more fully understand what rule by 50.1% of the populous means ... do you really want the state and federal governments run that way? Just take a look at Good Old Egypt ... how's that simply majority thing working out for them?
Craig Foster
9:40 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Sydney how good is our congress doing now that you need 60+ votes to get anything done, not well or basically not getting anything done. A democracy is set up that the majority should rule and if the majority want something than we should make it happen.
Joe DeMaina
10:08 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Craig , I use the intersection multiple times a day. I get stuck in traffic everyday to some degree at some times quite badly with the mall not open yet. ND's traffic engineers have acknowledged the problem by stating in their report that the new interchanges have plenty of room for "traffic storage" or as the layman calls it traffic jams. The Lynnfield police are already watching the Walnut Street merge from 2 lanes to 1 after Salem Street for problems. I have already seen near accidents and angry encounters there There are many problems that will get worse with the increased traffic a movie theatre would bring.This isn't a isolated area like most other places with multiplexes this hard by a residential area. Think for minute where most theatres are located. Ted Tye said most town centers have had a movie theatre.Putting aside for a moment that this is not a town center. Most town centers don't have 8 screens because it's not appropriate to a town center.
The problem with the size of the multiplex is the idea it will stay the same size. Nothing to do with this mall has stayed the same since it was approved.The Village of Lynnfield concept has morphed into a 125 wide "street" that is really just a central parking lot with stores.The upscale project has turned into mall with cookie cutter stores as there are everywhere else.Not what the town voted in for.
Carl Thomas
10:53 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Craig, couldn't agree more with all your statements. Especially the taxes. There is a certain group that does not wnat a cinema or the shopping center in general and they are trying to force thier will on the rest of the community. Make no mistake. A mjority does want a cinema.
Nameless Conservative
11:58 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
- " I say if a majority of the town wants it than they should be able to build it."
What if the majority votes to take away everything you own?
"Sydney how good is our congress doing now that you need 60+ votes to get anything done, not well or basically not getting anything done."
Right.. 2/3 majority rules never accomplish much of anything huh? Only silly things like...enacting each one of our Amendments to the Constitution or ratifying international treaties, etc. Yeah, let's throw out the rulz like Carla D so 'we' can have our own way ... for the good of the PEOPLE!
Carl Thomas
12:46 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Mike Mitchell you proclaim on another post: that I "want to tear down every single incentive a capitalist free market economy presents (individual greed) that prompts people to FREELY choose to pursue their highest potential, (which almost always produces a SURPLUS)." Yet you are aspousing the exact opposite view in relation to what ND is trying to do when it comes to affecting your life in the negative. ND is doing exactly what you preach Mike. You are a hypocrite.
Nameless Conservative
4:54 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Carla D. - "Yet you are aspousing the exact opposite view in relation to what ND is trying to do when it comes to affecting your life in the negative."
That's a baldfaced lie! ND has every right to make a profit but no right to overrule a town vote just because they don't like it. Gee, let's have another election because I didn't like how it turned out - WAAAAH! ... basically the same childish position as you.
Jeff
9:30 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
I've got to say, the new traffic flow and light synchronization seems terrible to me. I hope there are plans to improve that somehow (even if it's just getting the lights to sync better). Adding a theater to the mix worries me a bit with things as they are.
I also hope there are actual details about what "specialty" means that would be available and agreed upon before the vote. It would be a shame if the theater gets approved and "specialty" ends up meaning "Movie Theater" is written in a fancy font on the front of the building (or something underwhelming like that).
The suggestion that we already voted no once and therefore this new vote is unfair doesn't really do it for me. Over time, people occasionally vote on the same things as circumstances change -- if nothing sufficient has changed, then you'll get your "no" vote again.
Joe DeMaina
10:18 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Jeff, just look what happened to the Upscale,specialty stores we were told we were getting and what stores we ended up with.The term specialty is meaningless. a movie theatre is a movie theatre.
Craig Foster
11:26 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Joe -
Whole Food - upscale grocery
Davio's, Legal C bar - upscale rest.
I could go on
The only upscale items not on the list of stores is Five Guys and probably boloco
Wallace McKenzie
7:11 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Jeff, if you have a chance to review the traffic impact report that was prepared you will see that the intersection was graded by industry standards to be an F. Even with the improvements it will only ever be a rated as a C. That was the best they could do. And these calculations were without a cinema.
Joe DeMaina
10:10 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Now ND wants to change the zoning agreement on movie theatres and change the zoning agreement on building heights.If it doesn't work out we can't go back but ND constantly goes back.Will it ever end.Probably not if ND feels that they can always get their way.
I understand that walking to a theatre might sometimes appeal to you but that "benefit" is more than offset by some many negatives.
As for improving house values,Most people don't want to live next to a mall especially a mall that they can see from their streets (as many can) and from Walnut Street. Which is another thing that has changed from when ND told us we would not be able to see the buildings form Walnut Street. They even showed pictures and projects where you could not see buildings.
This is a fairness issue to the people who live in the area and were told this would not happen.ND should honor their agreement not be constantly trying to change it.The town should side with it's citzens not with an out of town developer who signed the agreement.
Joe DeMaina
1:17 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Craig, I give you Whole Foods even though you can now get a lot of what they sell for less at other stores but the rest. Sorry I don't think Legal or Davio's are upscale. Even if they were are Kings,Yard House / How about the barber shop,nail salon, dog food store,burger joint,yogurt store ? Lynnfield thought they were getting Prada and they ended up with all the same old places that are everywhere. Someplace isn't upscale because they or ND say they are.
Peggy Lentini
7:07 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
MONEY, MONEY , MONEY ,MONEY,MONEY ITS ALL ABOUT THE DOLLARS FOLKS AND NOT FOR LYNNFIELD BUT FOR ND. I WONDER HOW MUCH MONEY THEIR MAKING. THEY COULD GIVE A .... ABOUT LYNNFIELD. WELL I WILL BE AT THAT MEETING ON THE 20TH. PEOPLE WE LIVE IN A TOWN NOT A CITY. DO WE REALLY NEED A CINEMA? CRAIG IS IT REALLY AN INCONVENIENCE TO GO TO REVERE, WOBURN, OR DANVERS? LETS PUT A NEW POLICE DEPT IN THAT SPACE OR A FIRE DEPT OR MAYBE BOTH CAUSE WERE GONNA NEED IT.
Joe DeMaina
6:54 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Peggy, Please attend the BOS meeting on this subject this Monday at 7PM in the Media Room at the High School.
Craig Foster
9:26 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
No need to yell Peggy.
And I want to maximize the amount of revenue we can produce to the town out of this development. I'm worried about pricing people out of this town due to out of control tax rates and that will hurt the property values.
Nameless Conservative
8:48 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Craig - I'm curious to understand your unwavering certainty that collecting more revenue will lower tax rates? Can you name another town that ever lowered it's tax rates because it collected more revenue from a commercial development?
The only thing I see actually pricing people out of Lynnfield is a seemingly perpetual prop 2.5 override machine.
Craig Foster
9:17 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Mike I didn't say it will lower taxes rates but it will slow the growth.
Unless of course the town goes on a needless spending binge because it has more revenue.
Steve
10:59 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
I grew up in North Attleboro when there was town debate over putting in the Emerald Square Mall where RT1 and RT 295 intersected. For a picture of what that location looked like before development, go to http://activerain.com/blogsview/2634269/north-attleborough-massachusetts-before-emerald-square-mall-
Nowadays, when you go there...it isn't the mall that's the issue, but the significant development that is built around the mall. Do a google maps search for it and you'll see not only the mall, but Guitar Center, Toys R Us, Walmart, Lowes, etc. Development invites more development. Saying "no" at some point has to mean something.
Citizen X
12:24 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
I tend to believe that those who believe that the development is going to become the Burlington Mall or devolve into a group of empty storefronts and Dollar Stores has never been to a similar development, such as The Derby Shops in Hingham. These are not traditional malls. Kids do not hang out there because there really is nowhere
for them to hang out. As long as they can get the traffic situation properly mitigated, this will become an incredible asset to the community.
Carl Thomas
12:27 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
AMEN Citizen X!
Joe DeMaina
1:21 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
If they put a movie theatre as the kid draw with the pizza and burger places among others it will be a kid hangout. I have been told that the MBTA is discussing extending the Lynn bus route that currently ends at Hanford up Walnut Street to Market Street. That would result in ever more kids.
Nameless Conservative
8:28 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
I'll admit that I'm biased because I hate seeing green space steadily eaten up by developers on the promise of 'revenue'. Once it's gone it's almost impossible to ever get it back. More asphalt & more traffic congestion = urban sprawl.
But urbanization isn't my main objection here, it's the promise of revenue based on wild claims a la "build it and they will come". I really do not think that is true in the case of any cinema built here, (on the basis of competition on all sides as well as the growing popularity of online movies and ever cheaper large screen high def TV's).
So .. what happens if they do not come? Then the property owners are going to get desperate leading to bankruptcies and the choice to lower the nebulous 'upscale' standard or see plywood covered store fronts. It wouldn't be the first time bad planning led to disaster.
Hope for the best but .. plan for the worst.
Joe DeMaina
9:52 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
I have been to Legacy Place several times and because of the theatre and the same stores that are coming here all summer long it's the kids hangout of choice. They just walk around and hang around all day and all night. It will be worse her because of the community green that will become hang out central. A movie theatre will be a magnet for more and more kids to hang out all summer long.
Joe DeMaina
1:38 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Not that it matters that much but Craig you said you live near the mall but I couldn't find you in a town search. So where about do you live ?
And Carl are you the Carl Thomas in Saugus ?
I just like to know who I am talking to.
Craig Foster
9:26 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Joe I live on Fernway less than a mile from the site.
Joe DeMaina
9:47 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Thanks for the info Craig. I'd like to talk to you someday in person.
As far as your comment on revenue for the town I don't think that the movie theatre would add any revenue.
Carl Thomas
2:04 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Joe, I do not believe it to be beneficial to release personal information on a public site. Those that oppose others views can get pretty irrational at times if you know what I mean. These are comments and opinions. It's best if personal info is left unposted.
Joe DeMaina
4:35 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Ok, I understand your concern but I'd guess you are from Saugus as I can't find you in Lynnfield.That's ok .
dinyce peters
12:54 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
surprise... who didn't see that coming
JFH
3:48 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Does anyone know which school the 150 units at MarketStreet are zoned for?
Sydney
10:09 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
JFH -
I understand that it will be 180 units. (from the web site: The three building, 180 unit apartment community offers walking access to the new shops and restaurants of MarketStreet Lynnfield,). GIven the location, I would guess Huckleberry Hill School BUT, they're basically at capacity ... and, for those who would scream racism, its the only elementry school in lynnfield with METCO students ... there are none at Summer Street
Karen R.
5:13 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Why do we keep allowing National Development to define Lynnfield character, and noting that the stores and now a movie theater that has been defeated before, will be "a little more upscale". Sounds like another snow job to me. When's the vote Wally and Joe?
Joe DeMaina
6:46 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Well it would be good to come to the Selectman's meeting Monday night in the Media Room of the High School and then the vote will be at The Spring Town Meeting.
Peggy Lentini
7:12 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT TIME THAT MEETING IS ON MONDAY NIGHT
Joe DeMaina
6:52 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
The first meeting regarding the multiplex is the BOS meeting at 7 PM in the Media Center at the High School.
Jim
11:14 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
How many people can fit in the Media Center? Are you concerned you may have too large a crowd given the interest in this matter?
My 2 cents on the topic... I don't want another movie theater, but if ND agrees to put in a high end theater where you can select seats in advance and it's truly a top notch experience (and it's priced accordingly), then I'd like to see it happen. There's already a Kings coming in, so you'll have kids there. If the theater is small, has the right amenities that make it attractive for couples and their kids, then I'd love to see it go in. We don't need another theater with an experience similar to the ones that surround our town. Something unique would be great.
Joe DeMaina
1:25 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Jim, I am not sure but it was moved from Town Hall to provide more room so I guess they think it will sufficent. I hope you are coming on Monday night to get a look at what ND is proposing. Have you been to ,for instance, Legacy Place ?
Sydney
10:12 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Jim - Are we not also getting a Five Guys burger joint. The one in Medford is always full of kids
Jim
1:56 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Joe - I'll be there on Monday night. I have not been to Legacy Place, but after looking at it online, I don't think it's a significant step up from a standard cinema to make me feel strongly about it. I want to see something like iPic in there.
https://www.ipictheaters.com/default.aspx
Nameless Conservative
4:59 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
I sure hope Lynnfield's legal counsel is sharper than they have been in the past and included bitter remedies in contracts to our favor when developers want to wander off the playing field that they negotiated for in the first place. When the answer is "no" there should be ZERO room for them the whine, threaten a legal shake down and otherwise waste more of our time and money.
Hold their feet to the fire, it's our town not theirs.
Sydney
10:16 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Fully agree. If we approve the Theater, we'll find ourselves traveling down the same road we did for the land behind the Senior Center ... If memory serves, was that not initially held out at 4 Million in revenue and chipped awat at til it was something like 2 million, maybe less. It is also a zoning eye sore (note the gate house sitting right on top of the senior center .. how did that happen?) AND, whatever happened to the Ball Field that was to be preserved and restored by the developer ... I can;t get a straight answer ... was there a back room deal and that is now gone????
Nameless Conservative
10:44 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
@Sydney
I was wondering about that ball field myself? Back in the 90's I and several other Salem St. residents helped stop the South School from becoming a car dealership and we suggested that it be a senior center and or nursery school. The selectmen were in fear of being sued for saying 'no' to the John Hancock Insurance Co.'s demand to sublet the property to a car dealer when Hancock decided to close operations there. As it turned out, there was nothing in the town lease to specifically give the town a right to refuse an existing tenant's choice for a prospective sublet tenant. My point was 'so what'? There was also nothing in the lease that precluded the town's right to refuse a subletter. If the town can refuse who leases the property in the first place - why the assumption it cannot then also refuse who is allowed to lease it from them?
Anyway, town counsel's position simply baffled me back then and has kept me piqued to the possibility it can happen again.
Sal Gesamondo
6:19 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
What is the difference? Movie theatre or not? You already have a Pool Room, a bowling alley that is coupled with a bar room, Oh! excuse me, it is a lounge. A movie complex is tame compared to that.
Joe DeMaina
9:54 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Let's not let another negative into the mix.
Nameless Conservative
4:53 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
.. with a capital "T" that rhymes with "P" and that stands for pool! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua1ess5Xq80
C'mon... You are seriously worried that pool and a bar are going subvert our youth to sloth or criminality or something? I'd rather see them competing at a pool tournament than sitting around watching some of the 'reality' crap that passes for entertainment on cable TV these days. (If I had my druthers I'd turn in all their computers/Ipads and give them musical instruments - learning music is a proven benefit to achieving math skills, computers are not. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14700729 )
Carladeruza
2:57 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Ha
Carlad
2:59 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
you people are all hateful republicans. That's why. YOu hate that this theater will bring diversity to the town. You all live in your ivory towers. Maybe it will be good to get some "color" in this town. I hope the theater goes up and I guarantee that it won't just be "specialty". This happens in other towns too, the racists are against it and the progressives are for it. We just have to appease all of you with hate in your hearts with "tax base". funny you republicans claim that you hate taxes but you are so greedy that you will vote this in. Just no minorities right? I will be voting for this and I will do it proudly. You people can't change what's coming. The "browning" of America = the "browning" of Lynnfield. You have had it too good for too long. Either move or lay down. You can't stop the diversity from coming to Market Place. Thank God for Ted Tye, someone who finally breaks up this lily white and bigoted town. AND finally the people in those apartments get to vote in town elections! Say goodbye to your "conservative" town. Just like the rest of the country, Change is coming!
Nameless Conservative
7:48 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Carla D - You are a troll. Movie theaters have nothing to do with race no matter how many times you copy and paste the same rubbish over and over again.
Lincoln freed the slaves, Martin Luther King told us to judge by the content of character not color of skin, Ed Brooke was the first elected black senator (from Mass), VP Richard Nixon stopped senate democrats, (like senators John F Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson) from watering down the 1957 Civil Rights Act, Ward Connerly ended AA in CA government, ETC. They were all REPUBLICANS! Who do you have for Black History Month? George Wallace? Robert Byrd?
Stop lying.
Sydney
10:18 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
She's also a hateful and intolerant of others and their opinions. Looks like she's the racist
Carlad
3:09 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Yes I said it before and will say it again. You will have a cinema and it will look like Revere and what's wrong with that? This town could use some Hispanic diversity. White people are so boring! Hispanic and black men are so much mor alive and manly. What are you scared that your wives and daughters will like them better? Racist White males, your time is almost over. Racism is almost done !you cannot stop the owner from having " regular" movie theater with diversity. You scared to be around some ALIVE people who dont whisper and aren't scared? CHANGE IS COMING! Obama 2016!
Nameless Conservative
7:55 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
"White people are so boring!" "Hispanic and black men are so much mor alive and manly."
Such comments prove that you are the racist.
"Racism is almost done" ..despite people like you!
Nameless Conservative
8:58 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Oh, and BTW, have you ever read the twenty-second amendment to the US Constitution?
William Laforme
9:05 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
Carla I think I've seen one racist on this board and I think I'm talking to it.
Nameless Conservative
9:10 am on Friday, February 22, 2013
One more just for you Carla D - a Black History Month quiz question!
The excerpt below is from a letter. Name the person who wrote the letter and to whom it was written:
"Let me say before closing how deeply grateful all people of goodwill are to you for your assiduous labor and dauntless courage in seeking to make the Civil Rights Bill a reality. This has impressed people all across the country, both Negro and white. This is certainly an expression of your devotion to the highest mandates of the moral law. "
blake harris
9:31 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
Lynnfield was a great place to live because we didn't have all the commercialism that everyone else had. The zoning laws are what kept lynnfield a premire place to live and raise your kids. Yes- you had to drive to west peabody or saugus to buy anything, but it kept the town's small, quaint, charm and feeling intact. Just in the past 25 yrs, it has become cramped and overbuilt. The wildlife everyone sees now is due to overbuilding and taking over their natural habitats. All the megamansions and expansions have brought bears, deer, moose, and animals previously never seen out into the open and at risk of death to greedy developers. Most people are opting for other towns (even North Reading) rather than continue to live in our previously peaceful and undisturbed little town. I'm very dissapointed in my hometown. I thought they would fight to keep it special.
Abdullah
9:11 am on Sunday, February 24, 2013
I am new to the town of Lynnfield and moved her just last summer for a number of quality of life aspects which Lynnfield offers including one of the best school systems in the state. I am not even close to the development and this project already screams trouble for the town and it's budget and once that happen you know it, not only the neighbors of that development, but the whole town will suffer severely. Values of our houses will decline when quality of life goes down.
Let’s talk about cost; does anybody even know the exact expected cost of this expansion on our Fire Department and Police? As far as I know we even have volunteers on the Fire department force. How about the increased security patrols that a movie theater would require. I would like to know how is the town expected to pay for it? There are only 2 options: Reduce Spending on our great schools or raise taxes, both scream property devaluation in Lynnfield. I know one thing, if you can't afford something you simply don't buy it no matter how good the salesman trying to sell you is. With the limited knowledge I have so far of our town's finances and whatever promises from the developer there is no way the town can afford the additional expenses on the long run. Heck, it doesn't seem we can afford the currently approved 180 residential units which will hit town facilities such as schools fast and furious and no comprehensive realistic plans to deal with that!!!
Jim
10:37 am on Sunday, February 24, 2013
IMHO, this discussion has gone off the rails. The Town of Lynnfield approved the Market Street development years ago, now is not the time to debate the merits of the overall plan. We should debate how a high-end cinema will change the approved development & whether it's something we want in town.
I'm looking forward to Mr. Tye's presentation on Monday night & if it goes as expected, I'll be in favor of the "cinema." I expect him to propose a movie experience unlike any that are currently in MA, where buying a seat in advance is like buying a seat on an airplane, the screening rooms are more like a very comfortable living room & the food and drink options are top notch. If you look at the iPic link I posted earlier, it's a game changer in the movie going experience. If we can agree with ND that this is the sort of theater they're putting in, then we have to ask how will that change the development from what is currently approved.
My bet is it will attract more people to Market Street to spend more money, but I doubt it'll be "undesirables" others have talked about in this thread. More people means more cars, but is it enough to tip the situation into a nightmare? I think most people coming for movies will come early & stay later, "smoothing" any additional traffic. Added police? We already have a Kings... do we really think a high end cinema will dramatically change those needs?
in the end, I'm in favor of a unique, high end screening room coming to Market Street.
Joe DeMaina
11:16 am on Sunday, February 24, 2013
I am sure that ND and their PR people will have a lovely script to present to us on Monday. The problem is that our history with those presentations is once they are approved they are changed. The upscale,destination mall presented and approved is not what we ended up getting.The retail village with regular size, attractive streets has morphed into one 125 wide "street" of parking circled by run of the mill stores not the upscale stores and restaurants we thought that we were getting. The berm presented in promises and pictures that would prevent view of the mall buildings from Walnut Street isn't what they sold us.ND talks a good story but doesn't give you what they say they will in the end.Whatever they tell you Monday will not be what you end up with.
Joe DeMaina
11:17 am on Sunday, February 24, 2013
PS: "a screening room" as you call it might be okay but not 8.
Joe DeMaina
10:20 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Jim-Not IPic. That would have been a worthwhile conversation.
Jim
10:52 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Joe - We have no idea it's not iPic (or similar) and I'm heartened to hear you'd consider an iPic a worthwhile conversation. I'll remember that and hope ND is following this dialogue.
For what it's worth, it looks like the iPic business model is based on an 8 screen cinema with roughly 100 seats/cinema, which sounds a lot like what Ted proposed.
Debbie
1:58 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013
I looked at the Ipic site and I have to say I was impressed. However, I hate the smell of different types of food, when all mingled together. I'd hate to sit next to someone eating a hot spicy dish, and have to smell it while trying to watch a movie. To me, you watch a film for 2 hrs, you can't eat either before, or after. It just doesn't make sence to me....plus the clinking of glassware, and silverware. Dining can be noisy...AND oops please don't spill that soup on me thank you!!!!!! We just don't need it.
Joe DeMaina
2:46 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013
I looked at it too but what you see in pretty pictures is not always what you get in reality.We have learned that harsh lesson with the pretty pictures that we have been shown during the debate on this project.
Debbie
2:01 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013
To Joe DeMania. What you said, this morning at 11:14 needs to be said on Monday night. I don't know how many people will get to speak, but I hope you are one of them. Thanks!
Joe DeMaina
2:50 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013
Thank You Debbie but it has to be more than just me. Please speak up and express your view point at meetings ,in your neighborhood and in letters to the editor.We can't be run over by the ND PR machine again. You have a voice and a vote make yourself heard.It's what democracy is all about.
Debbie
2:01 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013
Sorry....11:16
Frances Fleming
2:03 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
I vote for a movie theater. I think it sounds like a wonderful addition to this project.
Wallace McKenzie
10:27 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Selectman MacKendrick opposes the multiplex. Does not see the benefit and sees the vote dividing the town.
Jim
10:31 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
That's not what I heard tonight. MacKendrick's primary reason for opposing the cinema was because he sees the vote dividing the town. He did not get into detail about the benefits and what he thought of them.
Nice try.
Wallace McKenzie
10:30 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
Selectman Nelson announced he supports the cineplex.
If you know him, please ask him to reconsider. The high level of support is at odd with his past actions.
When asked why he is in favor of breaking the agreement he talked about tax revenue.
Another good question asked of him is how could he be in favor of it when the article has not even seen it yet. He didn't have a good answer.
Jim
10:37 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013
@Wallace - You and the majority of the mob in attendance tonight took Ted Tye to task tonight for distorting the truth, but you do it too, calling the proposal a "multiplex" and a "cineplex" and the development a mall, even though you know if's nothing like that. Collectively, you may be more to blame for dividing the town than ND is.
Joe DeMaina
6:27 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I was very disappointed in the concept that Ted Tye presented. I thought after being rejected for a multiplex (that's what it is Jim, multiple screens) before he would present sometime fresh and new this time. But it is the same tired concept . Put a few premium seats in a theatre and call it a specialty theatre.That's like saying an airplane with first class seats is a specialty airplane.The primary benefit to the town is additional revenue through higher meals taxes but the is seriously suspect. A some said those restaurants like restaurants in the area already are always full on weekend nights.PS: That "mob" were the good people of the neighborhood who are bearing the burden of lowered quality of life and lower property values brought on by this project.Please excuse them for not wanting to bear more sacrifice.
Wallace McKenzie
6:27 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Jim,
Look at the definition of cineplex and this proposal fits it.
Joe DeMaina
6:39 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Jim--you apparently have not been following the changes as Meadow Walk morphed into Market Street. The "Village of Lynnfield" concept with normal size streets has been changed to a 125' wide street of central parking circled by stores. That's a mall--think Wayside Commons. You seem to be accepting the ND PR without thinking clearly about it. That is not useful to anyone or to honest debate and differences of opinions.
Jim
9:15 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Joe - I'm all for an honest, rational debate, but last night was anything but that. It was not a venue for members of our community to discuss and debate the proposal. When one side spews so much venom in a public forum, it makes a rational discussion impossible.
As a town, we voted to go into a partnership with ND to build Meadow Walk/Market Street. It's happening. In my opinion, the entire town wants the same thing and that should be aligned with what ND wants. A very successful Market Street for years to come. We benefit from the increased tax base and a great resource for the town and its people. ND has happy/successful tenants. It's a win/win.
I don't know about you, but I don't know nearly as much about these projects as Ted does. If our professional partner (remember, our incentives should be aligned) says a high-end theater will be good for Market Street in the long term, we should listen, hear what he has to say and then discuss and debate amongst ourselves. I thought the attack on Ted last night was inappropriate and we should strive to be more professional in the future.
I'd love to talk with you to discuss the merits on the proposal in person. I'll try to connect offline.
Joe DeMaina
10:16 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Jim-- Be glad to talk to you off line. I (and Wally) have been to almost every meeting over the last 7-8 years on this subject. Hundreds of meeting so I am well informed. I think that you should be careful thinking that a developer who lives and works in Newton always has our best interests at heart. Never forget that for a business the bottom line is profit.We can agree with them were we can and protect our best interests (property values & Quality of Life) were we can't.And in this case a multiplex is not in our best interest. For us the negatives are many and the benefits small. For the businessman the benefits are big. 6,000 more customers a week-end and those are the type of customers that an "upscale" mall might not normally attract.The businessman is thinking about his bottom line not ours. And this is our town not theirs.
Debbie
8:55 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Ted Tye made lots of mistakes last night.....comparing an "Old Town 2 or 4 moviehouse" with an modern, upscale, bar scene, containing 8 theaters here. To me anything over 4 is a mega, or multiplex.....Make it go away!!!!!!
Sm
10:56 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Just curious if anyone who has joined this discussion actually grew up in Lynnfield?
Sydney
10:03 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Moved to town in 2001
Stephanie
9:34 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
LHS Class of 1981. Very much against the movie theater.
Wallace McKenzie
4:45 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
MarketStreet Facebook page has interesting post about promises and six million dollars. If you aren't on Facebook, you can see it at www.topics01940.org
Sydney
10:30 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Left you a note on the Topics01940.org site ... I think you meant "without" not "with" regarding approval of zoning for the movie theater
Wallace McKenzie
10:32 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Yes it has been corrected. Thanks
Sydney
10:32 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Took a look at the 2007 study of the impact of Market Street on the town .. very interesting how many assumptions have not held.
I think we are best served by seeing what impact this beast has on the town before we agree to anything else.
Lets get another study and focus on how inaccurate they tend to be ...
Wallace McKenzie
8:55 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
National Development delaying presenting an article on the cinema. Details at www.topics01940.org
Joe DeMaina
6:47 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
National Development has chosen to delay an attempt to convince the town that they and the town need a multiplex at Market Street until the Fall. Now ND should reconsider the idea entirely and choose to Honor The Agreement that they sought and signed with the town and it's neighbors.It's the only fair thing to do.