Tom Allen, Arlington Brewing Co. founder at 15 Ryder St. / Maura Shea Crowley photo
UPDATED March 17: In front of a standing-room-only crowd at the Arlington Community Center on Monday, Feb. 24, Tom Allen and his team from the Arlington Brewing Co. presented their proposed plan to the Arlington Redevelopment Board for a microbrewery that includes a taproom, kitchen and beer garden at 15 Ryder St., a site owned by Mirak Properties.
Referring to the many letters submitted by Arlington residents both with concerns about and in support of the project, members of the board dug into the details of the plan, especially as it relates to the surrounding neighborhood. Board members posed specific questions about noise, odors, parking, traffic (car, bikes and pedestrians), LEED requirements, business and delivery hours, building materials and lighting.
Represented by their lawyer and architect, the Arlington Brewing team was able to address many but not all of the issues raised, and the board members ultimately voted to continue the hearing, scheduled for March 24.
Public comment
During the public-comment segment of the meeting, 10 individuals spoke. Residents from the surrounding neighborhood expressed concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety, since Ryder Street, a private way with no sidewalks, is a well-traveled pedestrian way for students walking to and from the nearby Ottoson Middle School. It is also home to the DPW’s Reuse and Recycling Center and several commercial businesses.
Other residents expressed concerns about potential for rodents, lighting, and noise, especially as it pertains to the outdoor beer garden.
Arlington residents who spoke in support of the project include two Arlington business owners, who noted how difficult it is to secure suitable space in Arlington, and that Tom Allen and his team have been searching for an appropriate space for their growing business for four years.
Lau notes challenges
Toward the end of the hearing, ARB Vice Chair Kin Lau noted the special challenges presented by a mixed-use neighborhood with no buffer between the residential and industrial zones. “Putting all the pressure on this one project to fix a neighborhood issue is hard,” he said.
In addition to other measures, board members requested that the brewery team consult with the Transportation Advisory Committee.
Acknowledging that there is more work ahead to fully address the concerns raised by the board and neighbors, Allen and his team, which includes Arlington residents Peter Caradonna and Rob Chalmers, are not giving up on their mission to “spread joy and social connection in our community and beyond through craft beer.”
Res pop-ups
A former robotics engineer, Allen said that he is accustomed to long and complicated processes. The brewery team has been refining its vision for a community-based microbrewery for the past several years as they built its business and customer base through several pop-up events around town, including popular events at the Arlington Reservoir.
Watch meeting on ACMi:
That vision includes Allen’s award-winning craft beers, delicious food provided by chef Chalmers and a welcoming indoor space and beautifully landscaped outdoor space to foster social connection.
The brewery would also provide jobs for 10 to 12 individuals. Standing under the soaring wood-beamed ceilings of 15 Ryder St., Tom remains hopeful that his dream of providing the Arlington community with an “incredible experience” centered on craft beer will eventually come to fruition.
This news story by YourArlington freelancer Maura Shea Crowley was published Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, updated the next day to add an ACMi video window, and on March 17 to reflect that the area is zoned as industrial property not commercial.
