Framingham Police Open Third Substation Thanks To SMOC

Town and community leaders hailed the opening of the Burkis Square Framingham Police Sub Station on Hollis Street as a ‘renaissance’ for the building, the neighborhood and downtown Framingham.

The substation, the Framingham Police Department’s third, is located in the Winthrop Building at 75 Hollis Street, which is more than 100 years old. The space was donated to the Town of Framingham by the South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC), which will continue to house adults in a recovery program, above the office space that was donated.

SMOC Executive Director James Cuddy said it was fitting as the building and the downtown areas are going through a ‘renaissance’ that the Framingham Downtown Renaissance organization will share the office space with the Framingham Police. It will be the new HQ for the organization and its director Holli Andrews.

“This is a great symbol of what we are trying to do here,” said Cuddy, who added he wa sthankful fo rthe partnership with the Framingham Police as “we all want the best for the community.”

Framingham Police Chief Ken Ferguson said the opening of the downtown substation was “more than a police initiative. It’s a community initiative.” Ferguson, since named chief, has increased his department’s community policing program, opening two new substations, with plans to open a fourth near Route 9 in the fall.

The fact that the area is named after a long time Framingham police officer is even more fitting. Previously known as Irving Square, the area was named Charles Burkis Square in 1985 by Framingham Selectmen. Charles Burkis was a longtime Framingham police officer, who dedicated most of his career to that neighborhood.

A large crowd of community leaders, Town Meeting members, police officers and business owners attended the ribbon cutting ceremony. Andrews said the crowd represented the diversity of Framingham.

They like, the two Framingham Selectmen who spoke, signaled the opening of the sub station as along example of the re-birth of downtown Framingham.

Although Selectman Cheryl Tully Stoll said Framingham is past the “beginning of the resurgence of downtown Framingham.”

“I’ve been eating, dining and coming here for several years to shop and recreate and I come down here for selectman business. Every time I come down I discover something new and I encourage everybody else in Framingham to come down here and discover what we have in the gem that is downtown Framingham.”

The new substation is located within walking distance of Tropical Cafe, Amazing Things Arts Center and across the street from Tesoro supermarket. There are Dominican and Columbian restaurants within walking distance too.

“This substation will play a vital role in this neighborhood,” said Selectman Mike Bower.