Smith Legacy Partners and Urban Spaces are starting construction on the long-awaited Cushing Village—a complex with nearly 38k SF of ground floor commercial, 115 luxury rental apartments above, including about a dozen affordable units, and parking for 229 cars. To help revitalize Cushing Square (one of its three commercial districts), the town passed a bylaw and granted the developer a special permit to make way for the project. Expect a neighborhood grocer, spa, retail, restaurants and space for community events.

Not much new development happens in this small town that’s next door to Cambridge and a quick ride into downtown Boston and the Seaport District. Its claims to fame: a great location, a home of former presidential candidate Mitt Romney and some of the best public schools in the state. But finally, after a nearly 10-year wait, senior town planner Jeffrey Wheeler says construction is expected to start this summer on the $73M, 160k SF mixed-use complex.