
NewtonCentre
Newton Centre has a big patch of park that provides a green oasis in the middle of a bustling village center.
Now, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller wants to add a public dining area to that area, and her plan calls for “carving out a portion of the Langley Parking Lot to repurpose temporarily as a public plaza.”
“We’re envisioning seating for outdoor dining, play spaces for youngsters and families, and space for art, community and culture. More broadly, we see a safe and fun place to meet and hang-out,” Fuller recently announced in an email update to the community.

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller wants to carve out 16,000 square feet from the Langley Parking Lot for a new public plaza and community gathering space. Google Maps
The new plaza would repurpose 16,000 square feet of the Langley Parking Lot along the Newton Centre Green into a gathering space for the community.
Fuller emphasized that the plaza would be set up on a trial basis, and no pavement will be removed. And, she added, the DPW has identified 67 new parking spots near Newton Centre that will offset the parking lost at Langley.
“We want to support our Newton Centre businesses,” she wrote. “We have and will continue to reach out to work with them to make this the best pilot it can be. And we want to involve our residents in helping us think through the details of this exciting opportunity.”
Greg Reibman, president of the Charles River Regional Chamber, cautioned against the plan.
“Creating spaces to engage the public with events and amenities has been a successful strategy for bringing vitality and new visitors to downtowns nationwide,” Reibman said. “However, this particular idea feels somewhat rushed, and we’re hearing a lot of worries from Newton Centre business owners who fear this will be detrimental to their success.”
The new plaza is scheduled to open for the summer season.