This Is Framingham

Today Ethan and I too a walk down to look at the new bridge that was opened last week.
I think they did a nice job on it.  Not totally crazy about the baby blue paint but I really like the wood surface.  I guess it wasn’t necessary, but it looks nice around all the trees to have the wood planks and I feel like there is a subtle but nice difference in driving over wood than pavement. 

I do feel a little bad for the people who enjoyed having a quiet street because it’s a pretty and peaceful little area but while were visiting the bridge, a few cars seemed to be driving faster than they should have (speed limit is 25) and one guy totally wailed over it and was still accelerating as he sped off into the distance toward Ski Market.  I think if the town wanted to make some money, they could set up a speed trap there.  Anyway, it’s a nice bridge and I’m glad it’s open.

On the way we walked by Bowditch field.  It’s weird to see it with all of the bleachers are gone. 

I never went to a game or anything there but it sounded like the bleachers were in serious need of repair and crumbling so I think it’s great the town is doing something about it.  I remember voting for this project’s approval at town meeting, what seems like 2 years ago and forgot about it until they recently started working on it.  I’m looking forward to watching the progress on this.

I was walking down to the Salvation Army thrift shop this weekend looking for a random treasure (which I found) and saw the progress on the Memorial Building’s stairs.  Looks like it’s coming along and hopefully ready for the tree lighting ceremony in December (if they’re doing it, I don’t see it on the town calendar of events).
It’ll be nice not only to be able to use stairs that aren’t crumbling, but also to have the building look more respectable to everyone passing through downtown.

I was walking by the Main St. bridge project and noticed that the chain link fences are down and the support arched on either side of the bridge are in place.
Also it’s been paved and looks like it’s is almost in business.

Here’s what it looked like a year ago:

From my records, I think this project was started 2 1/2 years ago but I think that’s just when I first noticed it.  Anyway, it’ll be strange and nice to have it usable again.

I was going by the old Bickford’s last week and noticed the “For Lease” sign was gone and some guys out in the parking lot with some sort of equipment, I forget if it was a table saw, but something like that.
I looked up the address to see if there were any work permits out for this location on the town website. Looks like this will be a Mexican restaurant called La Caretta.  Not sure if it will be related to the small La Caretta chain in New Hampshire but it’s something different and maybe a good (late) replacement for anyone missing Chi-Chi’s that used to be across the street. I’m glad to see it will be another restaurant anyway.

Back in July I posted about a sign for new produce store in the Trolley Square plaza.  Last week I was walking by and saw a crew working on the interior and a flyer in the window that lends a little more information about what the store will carry:

My friend Yanna and I are really looking forward to checking this place out.  Looks like they still have another few weeks of work left to do inside but it’s definitely coming along !

We stopped by the recently remodeled Dunkin’ Donuts on Concord St.
The door pulls on the outside are the letter D, kind of cute.

The inside the color theme is kind of earth-tonish, which I like.


The set up isn’t as different as I thought it would be, it’s still basically the same but they did a nice job and I’m glad it’s an improvement to the area to have a nice newly remodeled shop here.

The Dunkin Donuts on Concord St. is getting a makeover.  Last week I thought maybe they were just closing this location, which would be crazy but lots of things I never thought would close have since we moved here.  Anyway, it’s nice to see that’s not the case and they’re renovating the store.  I’m curious to see how it looks when they’re done because the inside is totally gutted.   The note on the door says while they’re closed to go to the Waverly St. location but I would recommend the  Franklin St. store which is probably equidistant and you don’t have to cross the train tracks to get to it.