What will happen to The Venetian during – and after – square's redevelopment in Weymouth
A few T's must be crossed and some I's are left to be dotted, but for the most part, Eric Papachristos’ plans to redevelop Jackson Square are on schedule.
Papachristos – who took over The Venetian from its longtime owners more than four years ago and whose father runs Niko’s Restaurant just across Broad Street – hopes to break ground on his project by the summer.
The plan will involve tearing down 10 existing properties and building four new structures that are between four and five stories tall. Spread across those buildings will be 200 apartments, 20 of which will be affordable in perpetuity, as well as 11,000 square feet of commercial space and off-street parking along Broad and Commercial streets. The project also considers improvements to Herring Run Brook, vital to the annual migration of herring.
Redeveloping Jackson Square also means razing the building that currently houses The Venetian at 909 Broad St.
What will happen to The Venetian?
Don’t worry, the restaurant won’t be closing.
Rather, Papachristos said he aims to keep the restaurant open through the entire construction process, until the new restaurant is built in one of the four new structures.
“It's important – not just for us and the community, but for the staff as well,” he told The Patriot Ledger in February.
He envisioned that one day the restaurant would close for good in its current location, and the following day reopen in the new space, with operations continuing without a hitch.
“When we touch this, it will get resurrected,” Papachristos said.
More: 'Made with a lot of love': Menu of classic Italian dishes at The Venetian in Weymouth
The Venetian was owned by the Pica family for 90 years, first opening on Cape Cod in 1929. The restaurant moved to North Weymouth and a few locations in East Weymouth before landing in 1940 at its current location.
Papachristos updated the decor and menu, and used old photographs to pay homage to Jackson Square.
“When I purchased The Venetian, I didn’t have to keep the name,” Papachristos said. “I understand how important those things are to the community.”
Papachristos said the restaurant had “an unbelievable quarter” with the Christmas decoration popup attracting customers to gaze at the ceiling covered in garland as well as thousands of ornaments and lights. That, and hearing customers’ excitement for his plans to redevelop Jackson Square, keeps him motivated, he said.
He received final public hearing approvals from the town’s conservation commission and board of zoning appeals in December but was working with the town for minor approvals such as easements into the project's driveways.
Rice Tavern preservation efforts continue
Another point of interest within this development is the former Rice Tavern, a Colonial-style building that was constructed in the early 1770s and added onto over the years, eventually becoming Peck Funeral Home. In October, the town’s historical commission ruled that the structure at 864-884 Broad St. was a historically significant building, and that no demolition permit should be issued for six months. That six-month moratorium ends in April.
More: Weymouth rules on proposed demolition of former 1700s tavern. But issue is far from over
The town and Papachristos have been working together to figure out what should be done with the property. Some developers and historic preservationists have come forward and offered input, but it’s a matter of defining what part of the building was the original structure, where the property would end up and how much it would all cost.
“The hope is to move it,” Mayor Robert Hedlund said. But, because of updated building codes, it would not be possible to revive it as a tavern, he noted.
As of the end of February, nothing has been formally decided.
Hannah Morse covers growth and development for The Patriot Ledger. Contact her at hmorse@patriotledger.com.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: The Venetian to be razed in Jackson Square redevelopment
