Arlington Center Sidewalk Project Now Complete

ARLINGTON, MA — The Arlington Chamber of Commerce, town officials, and project partners celebrated the completion of the Arlington Center Sidewalk Project on Tuesday, July 19.

Speakers included Arlington Town Manager Sandy Pooler, Arlington Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Beth Locke, and Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA) Executive Director Fred Laskey.

Arlington's Chamber of Commerce also gave away gift bags with coupons from local businesses including Regent Theatre, Charlie’s Barkery, Sweat Fixx, Ready Set Kids, Zhen Ren Chuan Martial Arts, and Arlington Body & Brain.

"We are excited about the Town's recent investments in Arlington Center,” Locke said. "Beautification of our business districts is high on the Chamber's agenda. A visually appealing downtown attracts businesses and visitors, increases property values, and improves community spirit."

The Arlington Center Sidewalk Project is one component of ongoing improvements to the Mass Ave corridor. As part of the project, sidewalks on Mass Ave and Broadway, from Franklin Street to Pleasant Street, were replaced during the height of the pandemic in the summer of 2020.

This work included the replacement of brick walks with ADA compliant surfaces as well as the construction of ADA compliant crosswalks and ramps. In addition, plaza reconstruction included replacing the plaza surface, tree plantings, benches, and new landscaping.

“The new sidewalk and plaza surfaces make for a more accessible experience for visitors to Arlington Center,” Pooler said. “We appreciate the patience of area business owners, residents, and patrons who visited during the project and are grateful for our collaboration with the MWRA for the reconstruction of Broadway Plaza.”

The Broadway Plaza reconstruction was scheduled after the sidewalk replacement to allow the MWRA to work on the water main running underneath it. Since the MWRA needed to include restoration of the plaza in their project, they agreed to spend those funds on the town’s sidewalk plan, coordinate the restoration of the plaza, and fund 70 percent of the $350,000 for its reconstruction.

“Our 10-mile Weston Aqueduct Supply Main 3 was installed in the 1920s and 30s and is a critical supply for over 250,000 residents in Arlington and seven other communities,” Laskey said. “Arlington has been a great partner and we really appreciate the patience and cooperation of the many businesses that have been impacted. Hopefully, this beautiful new plaza will attract a lot of new customers.”

For more information on the Arlington Center Sidewalk Project, click here.