On December 8, 2015 the Newton Board of Aldermen approved the redevelopment of the Austin Street parking lot as a mixed use development of 68 units of housing and 5000 s.f. retail. Alan Schlesinger of Schlesinger and Buchbinder LLP represented Austin Street Partners in lease negotiations with the City of Newton as owner of the parking lot and before the Board of Aldermen for the zoning special permit. The project involved the first use of the Mixed Use 4 District in the City and also provided replacement of 124 public parking spaces in the parking lot.