Nine Bay State Commons buildings under construction
By Catie Foertsch Community Reporter

Westborough - Construction at Bay State Commons, the new shopping center off East Main Street at Union and Brigham streets, is steaming forward, with construction well underway on nine of the complex's 10 buildings. Plans for the 10th building, which is at the back of the complex, are currently being reviewed by Building Inspec- tor Joseph Inman. So far, 11 stores and restaurants have signed leases for space in Bay State Commons.

Condos The building that is most visible to drivers and pedes- trians is the three-story condo building just off Brigham. The building's steel framework was recently erected. The building looks out over what will be the town-owned twoacre park that will be constructed behind the Forbes Community Building on East Main. Called Parkview on the Commons, the building will house 44 one- and two-bedroom luxury condo units.

Boston Sports Club

The Building Department received $89,819 in building permit fees for five of the 10 Bay State Commons buildings in 2005, and Inman estimated that he would bill about the same amount for building permits for the remainder of the project.

In addition to building permits, Bay State buildings must receive permits for plumbing and electrical systems from the Building Department, and fire alarm and sprinkler systems from the Fire Department. Restaurants and the grocery store must also receive permits from the Board of Health.

The building that will house Boston Sports Club is a twostory, 65,352-square-foot structure. Retail space will occupy the first floor and the sports facility will occupy the second floor. The sports club will feature a 24-foot by 78-foot swimming pool, and Inman is reviewing plans that include steel beams and a reinforced concrete slab to support the pool. Detailed interior plans have not yet been submitted.

Other tenants

Other tenants that have signed leases include Roche Brothers grocery store, Linens 'n' Things, Stein Mart, the Paper Store, Claire's, Stride Rite, Ted's Montana Grill, Panera Breads, Jones New York, TD BankNorth and NineWest.

Stein Mart is a nationwide chain featuring men's and women's clothing and accessories, women's boutique clothing, shoes, home décor items and linens. The Paper Store is a chain of 21 gift stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Claire's is a global chain featuring makeup, jewelry and hair accessories for young women. Ted's Montana Grill is a full-service restaurant off ering American favorites. Ted's has restaurants in 18 states, and was cofounded by media mogul Ted Turner and Longhorn Steakhouse founder George McKerrow Jr.

Those wishing to apply for employment at Bay State Commons stores can go to the shopping center's Web site at www.westboroughbaystate. com.

Tax revenue, road

improvements

According to the town assessor, when the complex is complete it will be valued at about $18 million, and will generate about $270,000 in tax revenue.

Part of the project includes off-site improvements to East Main and the rotary, including road widening, restriping and a traffic light at East Main and the shopping center's new entrance opposite Westborough House of Pizza. Work will commence soon and will take place from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. to avoid further tangling to the already busy morning and evening commutes.

Off -site work will also be done on Brigham Street to create a landscaped barrier between the shopping center and nearby residences.