Somerville Infill and Small Developments

erom said:
The demo wrapped up at 98 Washington, and they took down the temporary fire station, so now the site is empty. And now we wait.

Fingers crossed they go with something taller than their initial concept. Plenty of room on that site for some street facing single story retail or food or something, with the actual use tucked behind and above. Especially with the T coming in right around the corner and the existing food options (Buddys, Michaels, Oliverias) and the first story retail slot in the 105 washington and 103 washington developments, that block could start to come alive. Hope they don't squash the potential with a giant parking lot in the front of the site (they're totally going too).
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I assume that the city's public works department is going to manage the project but have they not had much of a public process?
 
We're assuming they will have some sort of bond process for the actual construction - so far, they only did that for the money to buy the land, not to build anything on it. There was, however, equipment on site today, multiple vehicle in plumbing company livery (???). No idea what's up with that - might just be GLX staging, they've let them use the lot from time to time.
 
www.thesomervilletimes.com

Winter Hill Urban Renewal Plan clears first hurdle

www.thesomervilletimes.com www.thesomervilletimes.com
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Attorney Phil Privitera owns 9 Temple St. He says in the city’s “zeal” to redevelop the “blighted” buildings they have wrongly swept his “maintained” property into their plans. He wants the plans resubmitted without 9 Temple and 313 Broadway. Privitera says he has the “legal knowledge” and “passion” to fight the project.

"The property you are trying to seize is owned by a pugnacious attorney. Take two steps back."
 
While the Winter Hill plan slowly cooks to the north, the Gilman Square plan is making more progress to the south. Here's the latest streetscape proposal at 20% design. Two big changes from what's there now.
1. Medford Street Bridge remains permanently closed to vehicular traffic--even after GLX wraps. To become a multi-use city planner's utopia of farmer's markets, urban forests, sculpture gardens and terraced green spaces.
2. Pearl/Medford Street running east-west through the square to get separated bike lanes, raised intersections and more pedestrian room.
Presentation here. Implementation in 2023.
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I wonder how a future square-side entrance might be added to the station... the original design had an entrance right by where the substation is now. Hope the redesign kept it in mind because it’s a pretty steep 900 feet to go from the station to the center of the square.
 
kjdonovan said:
While the Winter Hill plan slowly cooks to the north, the Gilman Square plan is making more progress to the south. Here's the latest streetscape proposal at 20% design. Two big changes from what's there now.
1. Medford Street Bridge remains permanently closed to vehicular traffic--even after GLX wraps. To become a multi-use city planner's utopia of farmer's markets, urban forests, sculpture gardens and terraced green spaces.
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You're telling us all the money they are spending to accommodate and reinforce the bridge... and they're going to put a farmers market on it?!?!?
Javier said:
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That Concept C is from the first round of planning. The residents don’t want Richdale to become a traffic outlet.
 
Public Safety Building (90 Washington Street) project was at at the Somerville Redevelopment Authority for their November building.

The agenda was: https://www.somervillema.gov/sites/default/files/SRA Meeting Notice -converted (1)_0.pdf
---Note: if you "register" for the meeting you get sent to the recording. Who knows how long the recording is kept hto.

It sounds like the City is advancing the planning for the public safety building--they appear to have a staff project manager and will be seeking bids for an architect soon.

It sounds like the City's use of eminent domain to acquire the 90 Washington Street was contested and is currently under review by the Supreme Judicial Court. It also sounds like the SJC asked for amicus briefs on the question of whether redevelopment authorities can use eminent domain to acquire property under the auspices of a demonstration plan. It also sounds like the Boston Redevelopment Authority (now BPDA) filed an amicus brief already, but, that Redevelopment Authorities around the state are watching this case --- especially based on the question that the SJC asked for amicus briefs on.

For folks who are curious the demonstration plan is here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/ifa.somervillema.gov/documents/90-washington-st-demonstration-plan.pdf
 
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