All updates from the month of September 2006 are listed below.

Natick Mall renovations nearing completion
Written by Justin on September 15, 2006 at 6:22PM

• Renovations to the existing Natick Mall which began March 20 are proceeding on schedule, and are now expected to be completed by November according to a press release issued earlier this week. Once completed, this mid-life update to the mall will include new tile on the first floor and in the food court, and Brazilian cherry wood floors throughout the top floor. New stone and fabric accents will be added to the food court, along with new wooden chairs and plants to create "an atmosphere of calm". As the architects for this renovation to the Natick Mall were Beyer Blinder Belle, the new mall will act as a preview for what is to come with the opening of the mall's expansion in September 2007.
• The MetroWest Daily News has a story about the renovations, available at http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/businessNews/view.bg?articleid=140359. There is also a mall-issued press release regarding the renovations, which will be added to the Natick Mall page shortly.
  

Filene's to cease to exist tomorrow
Written by Justin on September 8, 2006 at 9:19PM

• As odd as it may sound, Boston will no longer have a hometown department store tomorrow, as the last remaining staple of local retail, Filene's, bites the dust for more Macy's stores.
• The best summary of the switchover will be found shortly at Beyond Retail, where I am constructing portraits of all 11 stores that will die tomorrow morning. For a more professional look at things, the Globe has a story at http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2006/09/08/how_macys_plans_to_woo_filenes_fans/.
  

Town not too pleased with Lowe's construction
Written by Justin on September 2, 2006 at 9:24PM

• It's impossible not to crack a joke about the shoddy construction of the forthcoming Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse on Cochituate Rd. Unfortunately, however, this seems to be completely true.
• On August 24, Framingham planning board officials denied Lowe's request for a temporary occupancy permit so that employee training and stocking shelves could begin. However, the board found many issues with the construction, including elevator equipment that could be viewed from Route 9, the ramp to the roof is in poor condition, damaged bricks on the corners of the building, the lack of a bus shelter and crosswalk signals, and unpaid police details. The store also installed signage near the roof ramp warning of the height clearance, but the construction permit allowed only the sign at the front of the building. The full story can be found at http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=138750.
• Lowe's and the lawyer for everything Framingham retail, Paul Galvani, are set to go back in front of the planning board on September 14, although Galvani appeared confident in another MWDN interview that the store could still get the temporary occupancy permit by October 4, which will enable the store opening to proceed on schedule.
  

LIFT 9 begins service
Written by Justin on September 2, 2006 at 9:16PM

• There's a new way to catch a LIFT in the Golden Triangle, with the addition of the new LIFT (Local Intra-Framingham Transportation) 9 bus line. The line connects areas in the 9/90 Corporate Center in western Framingham with the Natick Mall, Shoppers World, and other centers within the Golden Triangle by means of Route 9. Service began on August 28.
  
• The full schedule for LIFT 9 can be found at http://www.framinghamma.gov/planning_dept/LIFT_schedule_9 _8.06.pdf. The MWDN also has a story at http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=138987, along with what appears to be the LIFT's new theme song...