Foxboro
BY JULIET PENNINGTON / SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
FOXBORO -- Often referred to as the `` gem of Norfolk County,'' Foxboro is known to most in the region and beyond
as being the host community to the New England Patriots of the National Football League and the New England
Revolution pro soccer club.
But if you ask residents, there is much more that makes this quaint community special.
Whether it be the Foxboro Common -- a rotary encircled, grass-covered oasis that is often the center of community
gatherings -- town spirit or schools, residents are proud of the town they call home.
Like all communities in the Commonwealth, Foxboro has been hit by the less-than-stellar economy. But unlike many
other communities, Foxboro has tremendous potential for economic growth -- especially along the Route 1 corridor.
With the recent building of a new stadium, the town also supported the creation of a water pressure district. In the
past, some businesses interested in Foxboro's Route 1 area have located elsewhere because of a lack of adequate water
pressure. Now that there is enough pressure for future growth, town officials are confident that once the economy
takes a turn for the better, Route 1 will seen a flurry of activity that will mean a stronger tax base for the town.
The town's economic growth is also expected to take a turn for the better because of the planned development of the
former Foxboro State Hospital property.
The 160-acre site has sat dormant for years and while there have been many false starts, it appears as though there
will finally be some activity on the land over the next several years.
The town and state have agreed on potential uses for the property and the `` Request for Proposals,'' also known as
RFPs, have been made available to the development community and others interested in purchasing the property.
They have the option of bidding on a portion of the 160-acre parcel or the entire parcel.
The proposed development plan for the former Foxboro State Hospital property calls for up to 203 housing units,
with a mix of housing options and prices, plus an undetermined number of houses that would be located on five
parcels of land on Baker Street for use by the Foxboro Housing Authority. The state sold the town nearly 20 acres of
land for $1.
In addition to using some of that land for playing fields and conservation purposes, the town hopes to build a joint
public safety facility on about eight and a half acres of property at the intersection of North Street, Chestnut Street
and Payson Road.
There are still some uncertainties in town -- like whether Staples will move into the long-vacant Bradlees building, and
whether the struggling Orpheum Regional Theatre for the Performing Arts will be able to remain open -- but
regardless of those uncertainties, local officials are optimistic about the town's future.
`` Like other towns, Foxboro is facing a tough financial situation,'' said Selectman Bert Delaney, who has lived in
Foxboro for 31 of his 35 years. `` But there's a great deal going on right now in town and a lot of potential for
development.''
He said that Foxboro is known for `` taking care of its children and its senior citizens'' and cautioned that they still
remain paramount.
`` We've got exciting development planned for the former Foxboro State Hospital property, but we have to make
sure that it doesn't explode and take away from the small town uniqueness for which Foxboro is known,'' Delaney said.
`` That is a concern I've heard from many citizens and it's a concern I have.''
