Vision Concept. FDR's core vision is to develop Downtown Framingham "as a center of business and cultural activity that is functionally vibrant and active, and perceived to be an attractive destination visited by residents throughout Framingham and surrounding communities." From its initial formation, the FDR Vision for investment in downtown Framingham has recognized the 3-way relationship between downtown's commercial business base, its residential base and its cultural base -- and the fact that all three elements need to grow to make downtown a lively place during both day and night times, increasing visitor spending, enlarging the tax base, and facilitating the attraction of restaurants and other destination attractions.

Focus Areas. FDR's Vision Plan identified the Cultural Triangle as a key anchor for downtown, and six surrounding Focus Areas that represent activity centers with different needs and opportunities for enhanced pedestrian linkage, vehicle parking and land use activity. They are: (1) Farm Pond Waterfront Area, (2) Train Station Area, (3) Union Ave commercial area, (4) Concord Street / Arcade Block commercial area, (5) Dennison Crossing residential development, and (6) Pearl St. Parking Garage area.

The Cultural Triangle refers to Framingham’s downtown based cultural center, which is comprised of the Danforth Museum, Performing Arts Center of MetroWest, Framingham Public Library, and Nevins Hall, a 2,200 seat auditorium located in the historic Memorial Building. The nearby Amazing Things Arts Center is also an integral part of Framingham's downtown cultural base, although it is outside of the formal triangle. The Vision Plan recognizes that these activities comprise an important component of the future success of Downtown Framingham.

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Building Facade Enhancement. Framingham's CDBG program, with the endorsement of FDR, has supported a continuing set of downtown building facade improvements, designed to restore the historical look of the buildings and streetscape.

Pedestrian Environment. FDR's Visualization Project also identified model concepts for pedestrian walkways and parking areas behind and between buildings.

Waterfront. Downtown Framingham has a significant waterfront resource: Farm Pond. FDR believes that Farm Pond is an important downtown asset with great potential. Rail yards currently dominate the area, and access to the waterfront is limited. FDR recommends that the Town’s Farm Pond Task Force be reactivated to lead revitalization efforts to build upon its past work and to identify a development vision that takes into consideration the existence of the active rail lines.

Transit-Oriented, Mixed-Use Development is another cornerstone of the downtown renaissance strategy. Downtown Framingham serves as a transit nexus of the MetroWest region, with the Framingham MBTA Commuter Rail Station, Amtrak stop and central hub of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority providing bus service within Framingham and to 7 adjacent communities. In 2000, the Town of Framingham adopted Mixed Use Regulations which permit mixed-use development in the downtown area, thus allowing for the redevelopment of commercial properties to include residential and commercial uses in one area.