Plan For Woburn Mall Makeover Raises Traffic Concerns

WOBURN, MA -- Woburn officials have green-lit two studies that could be the first step in giving the Woburn Mall a makeover and spark development adjacent to the Anderson Regional Transportation Center near Commerce Way. While the Woburn Mall is seen as a tired also-ran buckling under pressure from nearby destination shopping centers in Burlington and Lynnfield, the transportation center has never lived up to its potential of generating economic growth.

The two studies will be conducted by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council over the course of the next six months. Woburn Mayor Scott Galvin and Planning Director Tina Cassidy outlined the studies to City Council Tuesday night. Galvin cautioned that the study was a first step and that there was "no need to rush" any proposed new development in the area.

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The city has already approved new housing development in the area. Cassidy said the studies would look for ways to increase mixed use development in the area while minimizing traffic impacts. She said the study looking at the area near the transportation center may consider building a bridge over the railroad tracks that could make it easier for companies on Presidential Way to attract employees who could commute by bus and commuter rail.

"I think most people would agree the transportation center has been under-utilized," Galvin said.

Edens, a South Carolina-based development firm, bought the Woburn Mall for $44 million earlier this year. The purchase renewed speculation that the site would be redeveloped to better compete with other regional shopping centers along Route 128, including the Burlington Mall and the newer MarketStreet mixed-use development in Lynnfield.

Ward Five Alderman Darlene Mercer-Bruen said she was encouraged by the preliminary steps and that an upgrade for the mall was "long overdue." But she also cautioned that the studies would need to pay close attention to traffic impacts in the already heavily-congested area, particularly with the Washington Street bridge that feeds traffic into the area.

Photo by Edens.