2012 AUGUST-MASHPEE EDIC Plan for Executive Park

Home Browse Search

voice, data, and visual signals, is far faster than traditional cables, and can support advanced applications such as video-teleconferencing. Only two of NYNEX's 19 central Cape Cod offices have digital switching equipment. A company must be able to hook up to an ISDN line at one of these two locations to obtain ISDN service;thus, availability depends on a business' location. If the Town is concerned with expanding its non-residential tax base, retail development offers greater potential than industrial development Due to market factors, further development of retail activity in Mashpee is more likely than significant growth in office or industrial development. Mashpee, near the Cape's major population centers, is well located for retail development. Employment trends demonstrate the importance of the retail sector to Mashpee, and a review of new construction in Mashpee and surrounding towns since 1994 shows that retail use is the basis for a large share of new development. Mashpee Commons is by far the most significant retail development in the Town, with 156,000 square feet of developed space and permits for a total of 300,000 square feet. Among the 70 retail stores located at Mashpee Commons, 55 are small stores. Mashpee residents own 27 of these small stores, which suggests that Mashpee Commons provides business ownership opportunities to Town residents that serve as an economic development focus. Mashpee Commons serves a large retail trade area that extends, by the owner's estimates, into Sandwich, East Falmouth, North Falmouth, and Centerville. The ability to draw population from a 10-to 20-mile radius may attract other retailers to Mashpee and potentially increase traffic and sales for local business. The development of attractive, quality office space is essential for Mashpee to capture employment in Cape Cod's growing economic sectors. The office market, while weaker than retail, is an important real estate opportunity for Mashpee. The major growing sectors of the Cape and Mashpee economies are office users, and Mashpee can potentially increase its share of this growth by providing attractive, quality office space. Services and finance, insurance, and real estate (FIRE) accounted for one-third of Mashpee's employment base in 1993. Cape Cod's emerging high technology economy is concentrated in firms requiring office space, including software,computer services, and consulting firms. Mashpee has the potential to be an attractive location for such users due to its quality of life, attractiveness, and lower congestion. The commercial center around the Route 28 and Route 151 rotary and New Seabury are the strongest locations for such future development. The amenities provided in these locations should be attractive to these firms and their employees. Mashpee should encourage mixed-use development including that which combines office and retail use to enhance potential leveraging of office development from its stronger retail sector. With new ownership and a good location, the Mashpee Industrial Park represents the Town's best site for future industrial growth. Of Mashpee's three industrially-zoned areas, the best development opportunities are along Route 28 south of the rotary, including the Mashpee Industrial Park (MIP). The location, existing improvements, and commitment of new owners make the Mashpee Industrial Park the logical focus for expanding industrial development. Mashpee's three industrial areas include: • the Echo Road area off Route 130; • the Mashpee Industrial Park area on Route 28; and • the Augat plant and Bowdoin Road area on the eastern end of Route 28. The Echo Road area has a modest amount of development and a fair amount of vacant land. While it is the closest industrial area to Route 6, it is not served by Town water and its appearance and mix of uses may dampen its appeal to higher-end industrial users. The Bowdoin Road area is almost fully developed with construction, retail, and wholesale users; only a few acres are available. On the other hand, the Mashpee Industrial Park site is well located on Route 28 in close proximity to the rotary, is served by Town water, and is subdivided with a road serving the site. Over 30 acres remain undeveloped. 15