Waltham Wants Coffee Or Maybe An Arby's Or A Youth Center

WALTHAM, MA — With the news that the Bank of America on Moody Street is set to close this fall, Patch asked readers what they thought should go in its place. In less than 24 hours there were 50 comments on our Facebook post. So what do people want to see in Waltham? Patch readers suggested everything from a coffee shop to a pot dispensary to some fast food or even a LGBT youth center.

Multiple folks seemed to like the idea of bringing an Arby's back to the area (and currently there are only three in the state). And food must be on the mind, others mentioned they wouldn't mind seeing a Pizza Hut (the building already kind of resembles one, Jack Wozek wrote) or a Taco Bell, or a Chick-fil-A. Others said they'd like to see a bar or a fro-yo spot or a WaWa (the closest WaWa appears to be in New Jersey).

What about a bakery?

"Waltham is definitely missing one!!" posted Tricia Dagostino, and about two others.

Several mentioned they could use more coffee (specifically a drive through Dunkin' or a Starbucks. But the suggestion that had the most likes (aside from Arby's) was posted by Dara Cheek who said she'd be down for "A cool, non-chain coffee shop."

Currently Cafe on the Common might be the only one in town with that label.

Speaking of mood enhancing locations, one person said it would be a good spot for a pot dispensary (after all, the bank already has a vault). Or how bout a drive through liquor store, asked one person, which got some smiley responses.

And then there were the out of the box ideas:

Parking: Business owner and former councilwoman Sally Collura argued that the city should take the property by eminent domain for public parking.

"Being a Moody Street business owner who is fortunate to have free parking for my customers, others aren't as fortunate," said Collura. "When I was in the City Council we on the Community and Economic Development Committee mapped out the existing parking lots and discussed where parking could be created. This could be a municipal parking lot with landscaping which could offer parking for shopping, restaurants, as well as parking for residents during snow emergencies (as the other lots provide) who only have on street parking."

An after school drop in center for kids, Stacia Russell posted. "To get homework help, backpacks, school supplies, hygiene products or clothing, even snacks if they need them," she said.

Affordable housing and trees were also on the list. And one person suggested a LGBT youth center so those in Waltham didn't have to travel to Boston to connect with people and feel like they weren't alone.

There were plenty of suggestions posted about what might fill the space but seems folks were in agreement about one thing:

"Please no more nail salons hair salons barber shops dollar stores or a bank," said Pam Sharpe Marston, and that sentiment was echoed by a few others.

Take a look at what else everyone is saying here;

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Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff