Roslindale Infill and Small Developments

[FK4]

The Roslindale Market Kitchen that popped up when the Dragon Chef closed has also signaled an intention to return, but I don't know that it's a done deal. My understanding is that the Bob's Pita folks are retiring and that the Delicious Yogurt folks do not intend on returning.

A lot of criticism this building faced during the approval process was focused on its potential impacts on the abutting Sumner School building on Basile St, but by the time this opens that school will already have been closed for multiple years.


As is the case for so many buildings of this vernacular, the outcome will really depend on the quality of materials used. And that's very hard to tell from the renderings. With high-quality siding and glass this could play very nicely with the handsome brick BCYF building to the right in the render.

The proposed building's setback from Washington will also be much improved over what it is replacing. This should help the pedestrian experience in that (busy) area and potentially even further enliven the Square if the patio ends up with a restaurant tenant.

I still dream of the day when the big old abandoned former K of C building two doors down is redeveloped.

It’s not just the materials that concern me. There’s something very sterile and corporate about that structural piece that appears to partly separates the entrance on the right commercial space from the sidewalk. Looks like a Bank of America or something. And again, why does every building have to replace 4-5 small businesses with two? Every time this happens, anywhere in Boston, you either wind up with empty commercial space because these small downtown spots can’t afford or don’t need a larger footprint, or you just get crappier and more corporate businesses.

Re bob’s, the owners are sick of moving and they’re closing down in a huff. I talked to the people about this in the store many times. Unfortunately, in that case I’m not sure there was an alternative solution; I definitely support the new building on the site, so I’m afraid it’s just a casualty of change. I will say it sucks now driving all the way to Norwood just to get the same fresh pita that I used to be able to walk down to the square get.