[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6167496,"mediaKeyId","5410946-dea13aa486e043f067ba9af0ceef0dd2","parentId",5410946,"title","Industrial park owners cite fragmented ownership and amenities gaps; Needham Crossing bridge rebuild discussed","audioSeconds",204,"startMs",2206000,"endMs",2410000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410946-dea13aa486e043f067ba9af0ceef0dd2&start=2206&end=2410","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410946-dea13aa486e043f067ba9af0ceef0dd2/thumbnail_2206000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6167496/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Industrial-park-owners-cite-fragmented-ownership-and-amenities-gaps-Needham-Crossing-bridge-rebuild-discussed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167496-abe81a92e2c8d686836d1ab05e003914/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030857&Signature=W1D4qclDDTBG3PTVZsbhdI~eVCkzZUQskBJBeaST226zBierf~CcecPoHCFL6jvN6SluxI8gBbPp6goZVzh0mJB1rSt3tc-L3lj7j0GzoJdv7Q2iMm-i6PTgfiiDc2POdp7CChhXZzUtuooAC-AGDcBP2goLBxVlB4P3n5CpQyUAggfYagBWfFpDoOQeSc3h3lHiKEXzB2N-336G456gpn7RwYDhotrakUSKMNJ~~Jrk3sBwI4mt5MePCuct~OjtkJHiPy~jV17bbWS1QghVoCvKYkam5B2E~eHXM3GEwwlFV5Mi8iGpuEQXObOxO1BfWiYDTrzjKC62jMFpc0qxwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Needham, MA","date","2025-07-17T11:51:37.997Z","article","Owners and landlords active in Needham’s industrial park urged the Council of Economic Advisors to consider fragmented ownership, site amenities and zoning constraints as barriers to attracting and retaining tenants.

\"We're a little bit more fragmented,\" Mike Wilcox, director of leasing at Bullfinch Companies, said. \"To get people to agree to certain improvements, whether it be signage or landscaping... it's a challenge.\" Wilcox and other speakers said amenities—on-site shared spaces, improved landscaping and coordinated signage—drive tenant location decisions and that fragmented ownership makes coordinated upgrades harder.

Speakers also said zoning can create delays or uncertainty for businesses seeking to relocate or expand. \"Sometimes it sets up a special permit or in some cases, not allowed at all... which is not a great dynamic for any company that wants to be here,\" Wilcox said.

The council also heard about an external infrastructure project that could affect the park. Bullfinch and other interests are working with the Needham Crossing Development Corporation and Newton officials on rebuilding an old rail bridge that would restore a bike/pedestrian connection over the Charles River into neighboring neighborhoods. \"We're putting some of our funds forward contingent at this point to help rebuild that,\" Wilcox said, describing coordination with Newton planning staff and noting contingent funding must align before a green light.

Why it matters: Council members said improving park amenities and reducing regulatory friction could make the industrial park more competitive with other commercial locations, influencing where companies choose to stay or locate. The proposed bridge over the Charles River could extend walkability and connections to new development on the Newton side, improving access for employees and visitors.

Council members agreed to include park needs as part of any townwide study and to pursue coordination with property owners, town staff and neighboring jurisdictions on the Needham Crossing bridge project.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council of Economic Advisors 07/11/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members representing the industrial park and large landlords described fragmented ownership that complicates coordinated improvements, emphasized amenities and zoning constraints, and said Needham Crossing Development Corporation has contingent funds to support a planned bridge rebuild to improve pedestrian/bike access.","taxTitle","Town of Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",54445,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167500,"Needham advisers weigh small-business outreach, caution on surveys and suggest in-person canvassing",1933,113000,2046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410946-dea13aa486e043f067ba9af0ceef0dd2&start=113&end=2046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410946-dea13aa486e043f067ba9af0ceef0dd2/thumbnail_113000.jpg","/articles/6167500/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-advisers-weigh-small-business-outreach-caution-on-surveys-and-suggest-in-person-canvassing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167500-21ef19ac5e4ad451b9a3aa9aff626e5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030857&Signature=NMSkiQ-3yUjWmjcd0uUODcEBV70nWF9vMpHRWjpxKrj4KZKv6DfEmC6PBdl-1apSZI0E2ZDgW8s73t1QuD2jtf0kIb4HF0Nfv665B7LuLXegoh06U3qJBCme8281e-UUoKnAW53qISyKtDFsDuUmXAWkBb0Swpve-FKGVC1g2m7TMpB0Lxd1r4WW7tTcu84RiqkGK1OlFGNoJ0NzSe-WDQfOw97Y6u9IxQYAOCdCswtlzNM4og7M~cLyr4YQIunR4nV8rhBjmO6I5XpRh7G~rz1uDEBM1h7L7uuc3d2GuPU~d0tQ-c22-nEOVdeCJ5e76~KxY1EfQ9ji99B4~lT2Ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members on July 11 discussed several approaches to reengaging Needham’s small businesses, including reconstituting a business association and running targeted outreach. \"We do not get a good result,\" said Lise Elcock, the chamber membership and development director, describing past survey response rates and urging realistic expectations for emailed or mailed questionnaires.

Multiple members urged in-person or scripted phone outreach rather than relying on mass emails. \"If you get them on the phone... we would give our sales teams, like, here's 5 questions to ask,\" Jake Spiro said, recommending a short script for volunteers or staff to follow. Council members noted the town already maintains demographic and business-inventory data that could be used as a baseline for outreach.

Why it matters: Members said more precise, phone- or in-person-based outreach could produce actionable data—business sentiment, foot-traffic observations and resource needs—useful both for a potential consultant study and near-term initiatives, such as beautification or permit-streamlining pilots.

The council also discussed creating or partnering with an external nonprofit or business improvement group for downtown beautification and activities. \"In most communities, those types of efforts are paid and supported and executed by external 501(c)(3),\" Adam, a Planning Board member, said, citing examples such as business improvement organizations in neighboring towns. Members identified the Needham Community Revitalization Trust Fund as one local funding vehicle that has been used for public improvements.

Members agreed to collect existing inventories and consider convening a real-estate/developer forum in the near term to gauge market perception and identify short-term wins while a larger economic study is scoped.","Council members proposed reengaging with a business association, using past inventories, and recommended in-person or scripted phone outreach because mailed/online surveys have poor response rates among local businesses.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167505,"Needham advisory group pushes for townwide economic development study ahead of budget cycle",2264,666000,2930000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410946-dea13aa486e043f067ba9af0ceef0dd2&start=666&end=2930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410946-dea13aa486e043f067ba9af0ceef0dd2/thumbnail_666000.jpg","/articles/6167505/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-advisory-group-pushes-for-townwide-economic-development-study-ahead-of-budget-cycle","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167505-c387710e8ba8b262d10b1b8478582d08/orig.mp4?Expires=1771030857&Signature=QCIDbkwSkq8sshI1kk~n13ilCJBmNklaJxwY6JRUNiQizW-3n8hYd5mzULKgQE-F9tWYUdwwYX0GHV4df56q5wIlsH35le9vd2dnKqZOtDRpwST1BR7KPhn2VLAV1BUetawNhQGhO1XfjSdvwgtT8nlFnQE1cTwct1z2a29eEGuOh1wjmYTr6-BH~XV7th1BEenoXnU0s8yiGNqUeV5qaaM4FVQwdGmRH2Tg4MJhhCVvwW0cQqp4I3jK8pZogvaKY6EWJL~HXGWPyxJgIuTPGCn1oSavM7eld5S2P1CPhhJM4g5cxx6pxGJ8zd~3MfloPIiourvQQnKpjyNLtzeTGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Council of Economic Advisors on July 11 discussed commissioning a townwide economic development study and preparing a proposal for the town’s budget process starting in September. \"Another thing that we've talked about is potentially having this group be the sponsor of an economic development study whether for these individual areas or for the town as a whole,\" Chair Heidi Frail said during the meeting.

The panel said an outside consultant would likely do the bulk of the work. Amy Hales, the town’s director of communications and community engagement, and members suggested beginning by collating existing studies and business inventories the town already holds. \"We would work with the consultant once the consultant is chosen,\" Frail said, adding that the group might investigate the Metropolitan Area Planning Council as an option to scope the study.

Why it matters: Council members said a comprehensive study could produce a road map of goals, priorities and funding needs that would let the town sequence projects over multiple budget cycles. Frail told members that the town’s budget process begins in September, meaning any request for funding would need to be prepared before the next fiscal planning round.

Committee members also stressed limits on how the council may work outside public meetings. \"Outside of meetings, committees are not supposed to meet in groups that constitute a quorum,\" Frail said, noting deliberations and changes to outreach materials must occur in a public meeting. She warned members that email “reply all” exchanges can run afoul of the rule: \"Under no circumstances ever... reply all. Reply all is irrelevant.\" The discussion led the council to propose a three-step approach: (1) staff to circulate existing studies and inventories, (2) a small subteam to draft a proposed scope (without deliberating in groups that constitute a quorum), and (3) present the scope to the Select Board and, if appropriate, request budget funding.

Members identified existing building-block materials to be gathered before commissioning a consultant, including an earlier economic scorecard, academic capstone studies, and a town business inventory. \"We had another one that was really looking at trying to build, like, an economic scorecard for the town,\" Adam, a Planning Board member and past council chair, said, noting past work could shorten consultant time and cost.

The council agreed to gather background materials so the group could propose a scope for funding consideration during the town’s budget cycle. Chair Frail asked Amy Hales to circulate existing reports and materials and recommended the council follow up at the next scheduled meeting to review a draft scope and timeline.

The meeting adjourned by motion at the end of the hour.","The Council of Economic Advisors discussed sponsoring a townwide economic development study to produce a roadmap for growth, noted procedural limits under the open meeting law and the September town budget timeline, and recommended compiling existing data before formally requesting funding.","actionData","errors"]

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Industrial park owners cite fragmented ownership and amenities gaps; Needham Crossing bridge rebuild discussed

Needham advisers weigh small-business outreach, caution on surveys and suggest in-person canvassing

Needham advisory group pushes for townwide economic development study ahead of budget cycle