Riverside
A birds-eye view of Newton Lower Falls. The Riverside MBTA Station site, where Mark Development plans to develop its project, is at the top left.
Riverside Development
On September 9, 2021, the Newton City Council unanimously approved a revised development plan for Riverside by Mark Development, after many months of public hearings and discussion. For plans and other public documents about the project, visit the city’s planning website.
Due to changing economic and lifestyle considerations, plans for development at Riverside have continued to evolve. Check back for updates.
Riverside Neighborhood Liaison Committee
Established by the City Council after the approval of the 2021 Riverside plan, the Liaison Committee regularly meets with Mark Development and keeps the neighborhood informed about issues, concerns, and plans.
As of 2024, Lower Falls neighbors Liz Mirabile and Barbara Gruenthal serve on the Liaison Committee, along with representatives from Auburndale, our Ward 4 city councilors, and a representative from Mark Development.
What is RightSize Newton?
The LFIA Riverside Committee, (nicknamed RightSize Riverside) focused specifically on the proposed Riverside Station development.
RightSize Newton, a nonprofit civic organization, advocates for appropriately-sized and thoughtful development across Newton.
Learn more about RightSize Newton
A Brief History
The Lower Falls Improvement Association’s Riverside Committee (LFIA Riverside) was a neighborhood group that was formed in 2018 to advocate for sensible and sustainable development at the Riverside MBTA Station site—located between Newton Lower Falls and Auburndale, MA—that fits the scale of the surrounding communities.
On behalf of neighbors and future Riverside residents and visitors, the LFIA Riverside Committee has advocated over the years for minimized traffic, noise, and lighting; appropriate building heights; appealing design; affordable housing; increased landscaping and open space; pedestrian/motorist/cyclist safety; mitigation funds for neighborhood and school improvements; and more.
Thank you to all who helped the LFIA Riverside Committee, including our then-Ward 4 councilors (Lenny Gentile, Chris Markiewicz, Josh Krintzman), and especially our Lower Falls and Auburndale neighbors, who spoke up, attended countless meetings, wrote letters, and donated money.