Assembly Square Infill and Small Developments | Somerville

George_Apley said:
Union and Davis are incorporated into the fabric of Camberville (god I hate that, but it's an efficient portmanteau) in ways that Assembly just isn't, and the businesses and development pattern are much more centered on the neighborhood than Assembly, which is designed as a destination with a neighborhood, rather than a neighborhood that is also a destination. Obviously Assembly has a growing population, but parsing "downtown" vs "outpost" vs something in-between is pedantic. Inasmuch as Assembly is incorporated into its surroundings, it's definitely an outpost in my opinion.

Regardless, we all seem to agree that Assembly both needs and wants drivers to visit the area, and that it's highly unlikely that the existing garages will ever be converted to other uses.
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I went to Assembly at lunch today with my girlfriend to run a few errands (missed the new OL train by 7 minutes, but that's a different story). It's actually more convenient to get to from our offices downtown (both pretty close to the orange line) than by any transit option (even driving) from our place in Somervillle. We were talking about why we liked living where we do vs. renting she pretty much echoed what you're saying here. She said, "I like that we're close to Davis, but it's an easy walk to the smaller squares like Teele, Ball, Magoun and Porter which all have a different feel and are a great change of pace close by." And that's it. I don't even take issue with Assembly's supposed lack of authenticity" or anything along those lines. It's the lack of integration into the fabric of the city/area that's my biggest gripe. Hopefully that changes over time, but it's still an excellent development and an asset to the region.
 
Lrfox said:
I went to Assembly at lunch today with my girlfriend to run a few errands (missed the new OL train by 7 minutes, but that's a different story). It's actually more convenient to get to from our offices downtown (both pretty close to the orange line) than by any transit option (even driving) from our place in Somervillle. We were talking about why we liked living where we do vs. renting she pretty much echoed what you're saying here. She said, "I like that we're close to Davis, but it's an easy walk to the smaller squares like Teele, Ball, Magoun and Porter which all have a different feel and are a great change of pace close by." And that's it. I don't even take issue with Assembly's supposed lack of authenticity" or anything along those lines. It's the lack of integration into the fabric of the city/area that's my biggest gripe. Hopefully that changes over time, but it's still an excellent development and an asset to the region.
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Totally agree. I like Assembly, and I consider it a success. I don't care about the "theme park" criticisms, but I've only ever driven there from our place in Union. I've taken Orange from the city, but never taken the 90 from Somerville.
 
My opinion, Assembly is good now, but will be stuck in the time capsule of itself. The lack of authenticity argument holds up for me not for what it is today (an authentic version of a shopping mall), but of how it can transform over time. I am not saying it can't or won't but I will go out on a limb and say that periodic change will be much harder to accomplish in a development like this.
 
George_Apley said:
Totally agree. I like Assembly, and I consider it a success. I don't care about the "theme park" criticisms, but I've only ever driven there from our place in Union. I've taken Orange from the city, but never taken the 90 from Somerville.
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I split my time walking and driving to Assembly as we live in Winter Hill across from Foss Park. So its a relatively easy but unpleasant and sometimes dangerous walk considering how pedestrian unfriendly the crossing is. The fact that we even consider driving there shows how badly we need a real pedestrian friendly connection between Assembly and the rest of Somerville. Overall though I would consider the development a success.
 
cca said:
My opinion, Assembly is good now, but will be stuck in the time capsule of itself. The lack of authenticity argument holds up for me not for what it is today (an authentic version of a shopping mall), but of how it can transform over time. I am not saying it can't or won't but I will go out on a limb and say that periodic change will be much harder to accomplish in a development like this.
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Thats why I think masterplanned developments should still be built like a normal neighborhood vs making 1 long building and creating multiple false building faces so it looks like a street lined with individual buildings. Somebody did mention that the garages are intended to be replaced with buildings in the future and I think in the different nooks and crannies and separate lots they should let other developers in to create a diversity of buildings. If they do replace the garages in the future that will create a mix of old and new as well. I think it can stay successful if it adapts.
 
Ten Hills Road has a crappy, mis-located staircase down to MA-28
goo.gl

42°23'49.5"N 71°05'06.6"W · 42.397083, -71.085167

goo.gl goo.gl

That some streetviews show an abandoned shopping cart there is testament to how "not wheelable" it is.

It should be replaced with an ADA overpass from "the heights" and across 28, landing on the Assembly Side. And then the MBTA 90 bus should turn around at that location before heading "back in"
 
^ Maybe put the overpass from Putnam Rd @ Ten Hills Rd (since there is a riverfront path that serves areas on the North side of Ten Hills)
 
Cobean said:
I split my time walking and driving to Assembly as we live in Winter Hill across from Foss Park. So its a relatively easy but unpleasant and sometimes dangerous walk considering how pedestrian unfriendly the crossing is. The fact that we even consider driving there shows how badly we need a real pedestrian friendly connection between Assembly and the rest of Somerville. Overall though I would consider the development a success.
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yup, I'm Assembly side of Union and split between driving and walking. It does blow my mind that after five years of non stop development with the likes of partners and puma making it home, that you still take your life in your hands trying to walk there. Now it just pisses me off as I watch new buildings go up there as local politicians whine and make excuses for the lack of progress on pedestrian accessibility. I've actually been moaning about it on here for years. I'm going outside in to the sun now :)
 
About 10 years after people forgot it was open...

www.bostonglobe.com

Kmart is closing three more Mass. locations - The Boston Globe

Three more Kmart stores are closing in Massachusetts, including one in Somerville that has been operating for nearly 40 years, officials said.
www.bostonglobe.com www.bostonglobe.com

He said the vacancy would “provide an opportunity for some of the continuation of mixed-use, transit-oriented development — the transformation of these big boxes into something much more interesting.”
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I'm glad that this is how city officials are thinking, but it's a little gauche to say that with such excitement right after you estimate that 50-100 people will lose their jobs...
 
Equilibria said:
About 10 years after people forgot it was open...

www.bostonglobe.com

Kmart is closing three more Mass. locations - The Boston Globe

Three more Kmart stores are closing in Massachusetts, including one in Somerville that has been operating for nearly 40 years, officials said.
www.bostonglobe.com www.bostonglobe.com



I'm glad that this is how city officials are thinking, but it's a little gauche to say that with such excitement right after you estimate that 50-100 people will lose their jobs...
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To be fair, I never saw a Kmart employee who seemed happy with their job. Hopefully some of them will get scooped up by other retail coming online in the area.
 
Federal must be rejoicing. They've been trying to get them out of that lease for years.
 
Equilibria said:
About 10 years after people forgot it was open...

www.bostonglobe.com

Kmart is closing three more Mass. locations - The Boston Globe

Three more Kmart stores are closing in Massachusetts, including one in Somerville that has been operating for nearly 40 years, officials said.
www.bostonglobe.com www.bostonglobe.com



I'm glad that this is how city officials are thinking, but it's a little gauche to say that with such excitement right after you estimate that 50-100 people will lose their jobs...
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I was sitting with a couple of friends last night when the news popped up. All of us live in Somerville, and all of us took longer than it should have taken us to remember this place was actually at Assembly. I think of Trader Joe's and (to a lesser degree) Christmas Tree Shops when I think of the strip mall component of the area. Good riddance. I do feel for the people losing their jobs, but there's a dearth of people available for service positions, so I doubt any of them with a modicum of ability will be unemployed for long.
 
Damn, the only place at Assembly where it was easy to find a parking spot.
 
Lrfox said:
I was sitting with a couple of friends last night when the news popped up. All of us live in Somerville, and all of us took longer than it should have taken us to remember this place was actually at Assembly. I think of Trader Joe's and (to a lesser degree) Christmas Tree Shops when I think of the strip mall component of the area. Good riddance. I do feel for the people losing their jobs, but there's a dearth of people available for service positions, so I doubt any of them with a modicum of ability will be unemployed for long.
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I liked this Kmart. It was really convenient. It's sad that they never really kept things in working condition. Half the price scanners were missing or smashed (how?). Once I found a bath mat that I wanted and the price scanner said "see shelf for price" wtf.
 
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