Back in the 1950’s when route 128 was built, I’m sure Waltham residents didn’t realize that they had just been given a gift that keeps on giving. With route 2 to the north and the Mass Pike to the south, Waltham instantly went to the head of the class as a place for large corporations to locate. With so many national and international companies moving here the need for hotel rooms keeps growing. Because of that demand, Waltham is now 3rd in New England for the number of hotel rooms.
The economic windfall the city receives from the 128 corridor makes it easy to be a good city in spite of ourselves. The City Council passed what was called a Master Plan in 2007, but if you have seen it, it clearly does not present a vision or a plan for our future. A councillor at large has mentioned the Mayor having a plan but I have never seen it, I doubt you have either. Before the area is fully built out and our tax base begins to stagnate, we better start planning for our future.
Imagine what we could be if we tried. In spite of spending thousands more per student for education than most communities, we have below average test scores and have 2 failing schools. We have two major universities in the city that bus their students out because we offer them no reasons to stay in Waltham and spend their money. As some celebrate the new restaurants along 128 these corporate restaurants are buying up all the liquor licenses that become available. The fact that the small startup, that for years has been the lifeblood of Moody Street, can’t afford to compete with these corporate entities will slowly kill off our Downtown.
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There are two major things that need to be done to take us from good to great. They are planning and cooperation. We need a planning department that does more than administer Block Grant money. They need to help us define both short and long range goals. Second we need cooperation. We need a Mayor who will meet and work with the City Council. We need a city government that works together with a common purpose.
Before your next trip to Market Basket take a ride to Somerville and drive through the old Assembly Mall area. In seconds, you will understand the difference between a city with planning and cooperation and one that doesn’t. I will get more in depth here on these issues between now and the election. It is time to demand excellence and stop accepting mediocrity.
