Latest approvals pave way for Plymouth Rubber project

The new road through the Plymouth Rubber development will connect Revere and Neponset streets. (Jay Turner photo)

Nearly two and a half years since the landmark special town meeting vote and following a second major site plan review process, it finally appears to be ‘go time’ for the Plymouth Rubber redevelopment project and Paul Revere Heritage Site.

With much of the planning and prep work now complete — including demolition of old structures, environmental remediation, and clearing of the adjacent diversion channel — both the developer and the town are ready to move forward and are poised to make some real headway on the site in the coming weeks and months.

Among the items on the horizon are construction of a new main road through the property spanning from Revere to Neponset streets, ending with a new four-way intersection across from Norfolk Street; construction of a steel truss bridge over the diversion channel; completion of a town common; and the start of residential construction for some of the 180 condominium and rental units that have been approved to date. (An additional 90 for-sale units, located at the northern end of the property, will be part of a future site plan application.)

Bernie Plante of Canton Holdings LLC said much of this work should be completed or at least underway by this spring, with the immediate focus being placed on the public green space. He added that they are currently in the permitting process for the bridge with the state Department of Transportation and Army Corps of Engineers and estimated they could have a permit in hand within 90 to 120 days.

In the meantime, the Paul Revere Heritage Commission, led by former Selectman Victor Del Vecchio, is continuing its work on the public component of the project, which includes the town green as well as a planned museum/cultural center complex dedicated to the legacy of Canton’s most famed patriot.

Having already completed a market feasibility analysis and outlined their broad vision for the two historic structures on the property — the Revere copper rolling mill and barn — the commission is now in the process of finding a private restaurateur that would be willing to operate a theme restaurant on site. Additionally, the commission is exploring its options concerning a governance structure for the heritage site and will soon be soliciting public input regarding permitted and prohibited uses for the town green. The commission, through the Board of Selectmen, also plans to apply for Community Preservation Act (CPA) grant funds in order to install an irrigation system and electrical conduit for possible future lighting needs along the proposed river walk.

In terms of local permitting and review, project proponents had already secured approval for “phase one” of the project, which includes a good portion of the residential units along with a small commercial component; and they recently received a major boost when the Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously in late August to approve phases 2A and 2B, which consists of the road/bridge and Revere Heritage Park.

In issuing a special permit, however, the ZBA did insert one notable condition as it relates to the new road, which has been dubbed “Revolution Way.” Specifically, the board mandated that a fully signalized traffic light be installed at the new four-way intersection at Neponset and Norfolk streets within 90 days of the completion of the road and bridge.

Whereas the development agreement between the developer and the town had called for a signal to be installed only when certain conditions were met, the ZBA determined that the signal was non-negotiable, citing traffic and safety …

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