Town Of Dedham: Dedham Square Planning Committee Hosts Neighborly Coffee Chats To Discuss Police Station Property

Press release from the Town of Dedham:

06/11/2021 8:54 AM

As construction on the new combined public safety building progresses next to Town Hall, the future use of the Police Station building takes center stage around Town at coffee chats and community meetings with residents of all ages.

“This presents a unique opportunity for the residents of Dedham to come together and discuss what they want to see this property used for in the future and what will best serve our community,” Planning Board Vice Chair Michael Podolski said. “Here is a piece of Town property in the Dedham Square that we can all have a hand in designing.”

On Monday June 7 and Wednesday June 9, the Dedham Square Planning Committee (DSPC) held two community outreach events, “Neighborly Coffee Chats” at the Ames Senior Center. This series of events was designed to specifically engage with Dedham’s older adults and hear directly from them about what they would like to see included and avoided with this property. Dedham residents were invited to attend these coffee chats through the Council on Aging Newsletter, social media, and via email.

“In the past we have heard from older adults here in Town that they weren’t asked for their suggestions, or they didn’t feel included in the process,” Dedham Square Planning Committee Member Diane Barry Preston said. “Having coffee chats specifically for them to come and speak directly to the committee was very important to us and helps us develop the final concept we will present to the Select Board.”

DSPC members Marie-Louise Kehoe and Michael Podolski gave a brief presentation about the project process, the potential for a park and green space, and the importance of developing a plan that serves the entire community and honors the history of Dedham.

This press release was produced by the Town of Dedham. The views expressed here are the author’s own.