Despite press coverage indicating the contrary, there are actually broad areas of agreement on the redevelopment of Cushing Square amongst all parties. 

All groups want the vacant lots controlled by developer Chris Starr to be redeveloped with a mixed-use infrastructure of a somewhat larger scale than structures now in other parts of Cushing. There is broad support that increasing property taxes to the town is important. Were the proposal in line with what the developer, residents and town officials envisioned during the negotiation and passage of the Cushing Square Overlay District By-Law (CSOD) in 2006, there would be virtually no opposition to the plans.

The core disagreement lies in scale: Structures covering nearly the entire site, at four-stories high, are not in compliance with key elements of the CSOD. This concern is shared by many residents, not just abutters, because Cushing Village will set a precedent – both in terms of scale and in the ability of town institutions and boards to regulate development – for what occurs in many other parts of town. 

In "Ten Things to Consider About Cushing Square" (see the pdf file on this webpage) the Cushing Square Neighborhood Association focuses on fact-checking claims made by the development team, including claims about project size and financial benefits to the town.

Cushing Square Neighborhood Association