Following are links to a selection of current development projects activities affecting Somerville.
Assembly Square Mixed-Use Development Project |
Summary: Transit-oriented mixed-use development in phases, starting with current big-box stores, continuing with IKEA development, and concluding with full buildout with office space and amenities.
Time Frame: 2 years to IKEA opening, 30 years to full buildout
Status:
- (7/15/10) Amendment to Assembly Square Master Plan applied for to bring in line with plan described in FEIR.
- (7/15/10) Ch. 91 license application being prepared for improvements in mixed-use portion of project adjacent to the Mystic.
- (7/15/10) Ch. 91 license application submitted for stormwater outfall.
- (6/9/10) Infrastructure improvements begun to upgrade streets and utilities in Assembly Square. IKEA development to not start until improvements complete.
History:
- (3/25/10) Comment period closed 3/23/10.
- (3/15/10) Final EIR issued. Comment period open until 3/23/10.
- As of 12/29/09, IKEA was due to begin construction in Spring 2010. When IKEA opens, the Transportation Mitigation Plan and the Sustainability Plan will both go into effect.
- Mass Highway plans presented. MassHighway changes comment period over August 3, 2009.
- Development plan decided upon.
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Monitor:
- The Transportation Mitigation Plan required by the settlement has not been finalized.
- The Sustainability Plan required by the settlement has not been finalized.
- Integrating IKEA with the Assembly Square Orange Line T-Stop remains an issue.
- Urban design and site plan for 10 M s.f. Long Term Vision for Assembly Square
- Implications for transit-oriented mixed use development.
- Bicycle path past the IKEA in Assembly Square.
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Background:
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Risks:
- Opportunistic short-term proposals that obstruct better development.
- Loss of Assembly Square Orange Line T-Stop
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Mitigation:
- Monitor adherence to development plans through Assembly Square PAC and state and city permitting process.
- Analyze implications of opportunistic proposals and respond as necessary.
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Beacon Street Hotel Project |
Summary: Proposed hotel at the corner of Beacon Street and Oxford Street, next to the Red Line right of way.
Time Frame: 1-2 years
Status: Controversy developing over lack of contact information on permit applications.
History:
On the docket at the 12/31/09 meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Was first before the Zoning Board 1/21/09, with Planning Board conditional approval. |
Monitor: This development is in a good place for transit-oriented development not only connecting to the Red Line, but also to a proposed Green Line extension from Union Square to Porter Square along the south side of Somerville. |
Background: This development replaces a defunct gas station at the corner of Beacon Street and Oxford Street. It was described as accessed via car on Beacon Street. Little emphasis was originally placed on access to the Porter Square Red Line or to use by Harvard visitors.
See:
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Risks: The development may move forward with car orientation. |
| Mitigation: Follow the development and advocate for transit orientation. |
Broadway Redevelopment Project |
Summary: Plan to upgrade Broadway with high-end office and retail uses.
Time Frame: 1-5 years
Status: Zoning in place.
History:
- (6/30/10) Ocean State Job Lot (299 Broadway) introductory meeting called, did not go well. Tenant requires change of use.
- Oct. 8 public hearing on zoning change rescheduled to Nov. 5.
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Monitor:
- Ocean State Job Lots tenancy at 299 Broadway.
- Transit and pedestrian orientation of new developments.
- Pedestrian access between new developments and Sullivan Square T-Stop.
- Traffic implications of new developments.
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Background:
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Risks:
- Opportunistic short-term proposals that obstruct better development.
- Inadequate connections with Sullivan Square T-Stop
- Overemphasis on car traffic.
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Mitigation:
- Advocate for integration with Sullivan Square T-Stop.
- Advocate for traffic calming as necessary in places where shops and pedestrian destinations exist.
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Combined Sewer Overflow Mitigation Project |
Summary: Ongoing environmental remediation program required by Federal Court due to pollution of Boston Harbor by sewage being dumped untreated into rivers during storms.
Time Frame: 1-5 years
Status: Infrastructure improvements along Somerville Avenue almost complete. |
Monitor:
- Improvements as part of Assembly Square development
- Improvements needed near Union Square and along Alewife Brook.
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Background:
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Risks:
- Hot spots may be missed.
- Solutions may be inadequate for new development proposals.
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Mitigation:
- Monitor stormwater at outflows.
- Evaluate proposed mitigation efforts in the light of development proposals.
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Davis Square Development Project |
Summary: Plans to improve Davis Square now that more rapid transit is coming into Somerville.
Time Frame:1-5 years
Status: Third public visioning meeting scheduled
Schedule: (6/2/10) Third Davis Square Visioning Meeting
History:
- (4/28/10) Second Davis Square Visioning Meeting
- (3/3/10) First Davis Square Visioning Meeting
- Increased new development, such as proposed hotel.
- Davis Square economy given big boost in early 1980s when Red Line extended there from Porter. Became "hip" city center by mid 1990s.
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Monitor:
- New developments, such as new hotel
- Orientation toward T stop.
- Sustainability and relationship with neighborhood.
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Background:
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Risks:
- Developments oversized for the neighborhood.
- Developments that interfere with neighborhood access to T.
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Mitigation:
- Examine plans
- Participate in meetings.
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Inner Belt / Brickbottom Development Project |
Summary: Mixed-use development associated with proposed Inner Belt / Brickbottom T-Stop.
Time Frame: 1-4 years
Status: Zoning proposed that may lock in MBTA maintenance facility. Community input being gathered. |
Monitor:
- Style of developments.
- Integration with mass transit.
- Neighborhood impact.
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Background:
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RIsks:
- MBTA maintenance facility may interfere with development.
- Unsustainable development proposals, such as soccer field.
- Loss of Inner Belt / Brickbottom Green Line T-Stop
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Mitigation:
- Continue advocacy for transit support through Community Corridor Planning process.
- Analyze implications of development proposals and respond as necessary.
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| MaxPak Redevelopment Project |
Summary: Large apartment development by KSS Realty in area once devoted to light industry. Brownfields cleanup required.
Time Frame: 1-3 years
Status: (1/23/10) Concerns raised about possible contamination of the Community Path setaside, shots fired, release of animals. |
Monitor:
- Possible contamination of the setaside for the Community Path.
- Crime and animal issues during construction.
- Connections between this development and the Lowell Street Green Line T-Stop.
- Relationship between this development and other developments around the new T Stop.
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Background:
- (1/1/10) Demolition of train tracks on Community Path underway for truck access.
- Construction permitting finished.
- Preliminary Master Plan approved April, 2008.
- Special Permit with Site Plan Review (SPSR) approved December 2008.
- Brownfields cleanup loan secured.
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Risks:
- Somerville already has plenty of residences. Development may crowd out office and small retail producing better tax revenues.
- Development may not mesh well with new Lowell Street T-Stop.
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| Mitigation: Attend meetings and promote links with T-stop and alignment with office and small retail around T-stop. |
Somerville Avenue Reconstruction Project |
Summary: Development proposals following on Somerville Avenue street improvements as part of Combined Sewer Overflow mitigation project.
Time Frame: 1-2 years
Status: Street improvements in construction, development proposals being discussed. |
Monitor:
- Quality of construction.
- Quality of development proposals.
- Integration with Green Line Extension
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Background:
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Risks:
- Unsustainable development proposals.
- Unsustainable zoning changes.
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| Mitigation: Analyze implications of development proposals and respond as necessary. |
Union Square Development Project |
Summary: Mixed-use development associated with Somerville Avenue improvements and proposed Union Square T-Stop.
Time Frame: 1-4 years
Status: (2/21/10) Locally preferred alternative plan to be presented at 3/1/10 meeting.
Schedule: (3/1/10) Design Plan meeting scheduled.
History:
- Somerville Avenue improvements in construction.
- Rezoning complete.
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Monitor:
- Style of developments.
- Integration with mass transit.
- Neighborhood impact.
- Continued excessive traffic through Union Square.
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Background:
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Risks:
- Unsustainable neighborhood development proposals.
- Car-oriented developments, not transit-oriented.
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| Mitigation: Analyze implications of neighborhood development proposals and respond as necessary. |
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