Dedham Releases Plans For Police Station Site

DEDHAM, MA - Concluding more than two years of detailed research and community outreach, the Dedham Square Planning Committee (DSPC) this week released the final recommendation report to the Select Board for the future use of the police station property at 600 High St.

After exploring four possible future uses for the town property, the DSPC voted unanimously to recommend green space that includes flexible community space, increased pedestrian safety enhancements, and as proposed, will not contribute to traffic congestion. Options to keep the building and rehabilitate for reuse, sell the parcel, or to demolish the structure and create a parking lot were researched extensively. The report includes detailed analysis of each of these options, including the safety and congestion risks of creating a parking lot in that location.

The data overwhelmingly showed a Town Green would provide the most advantages to the entire Dedham community, including environmental, economic, safety, and community benefits.

“Dedham deserves a Town Green like so many of our neighbors have. This is a once in a generation chance to build what we’re missing here,” said Mike Podolski, DSPC co-chair.

The concept design presented in the report represents community feedback gathered from a dozen public meetings held from February to September of this year. The design features both public safety and environmental improvements to the busy corner and will improve walkability in Dedham’s downtown area. The combination of economic development, environmental, and safety improvements should make the project attractive to federal, state, and private funders.

The DSPC estimates the total cost to the town would be about $2.3 million, with another $2 million being covered by outside sources. That includes an estimated $700,000 to demolish the existing buildings.

"It is projected that the cost of the project, if approved, would have a minimal taxpayer impact,” said Podolski.

The DSPC is excited and honored to present the final report to the Select Board and provide technical support as they begin to take the next steps. The final decision to advance the recommendation for the Police Station Property to Town Meeting will be made by the Select Board, who will now review the findings outlined in the report. The full Town Green Report is available for download, https://www.dedham-ma.gov/600high. The Select Board will examine the data collected by the DSPC and consider each factor to determine if the green space option is the most beneficial for the entire Town of Dedham.

Paper copies of the report are available at the Town Clerk’s office and the main branch of the Dedham Public Library. Past presentations, public comments, and previous DSPC meeting minutes can be found on the Town website, www.dedham-ma.gov/600High.

If you have questions about the contents of the report or the Committee’s work, please contact John Sisson, Community Development Director at jsisson@dedham-ma.gov. Questions and comments about the next steps of this process can be sent to the Select Board at freshideas@dedham-ma.gov.

To attend future Select Board discussions about this Town-owned property, please subscribe to email notifications at www.dedham-ma.gov/subscribe and choose “Select Board.”