Somerville Infill and Small Developments

154 Broadway
IMG_2136.jpeg
IMG_2135.jpeg
 
12345 said:
www.bldup.com

7 Washington St. Construction Projects - Somerville, MA

Looking to work with the owners, developers, architects or GCs at 7 Washington St.? Signup to get contact info and actionable data to drive your business.
www.bldup.com www.bldup.com
Click to expand...
Every time I'm in this area, I think about the development pattern of Washington St. 3-4 story buildings with ground floor retail spaces keep popping up as as-of-right projects. I don't know of anywhere else in the area where we're seeing so many individual parcels be developed instead of huge mega blocks. This has the potential to make the street much more interesting and diversifies ownership. (my only complaint is likely could have been more dense).
 
Dr. Rosen Rosen said:
The brickwork and siding look alright in more forgiving light. Not sure about the name spelled out on the building entry tho…
Click to expand...
Oh the name is interesting. It's address is 9 Central Street and "ennea" is the Greek word for 9. (and it's a couple lots over from the Greek church)
 
The Somerville Y Partners with Consigli, Stantec, and CSL to Build the Future Together

Somerville, MA, September 25, 2023 — The Somerville Y is proud to announce a partnership with the above-mentioned companies to ensure the longstanding mission of the Somerville Y continues well into the future as it has done for the past 156 years. These companies were chosen not only for their well-known accomplishments in their respective fields, but also for their strong individual beliefs of giving back to the communities in which they operate as well as reside.

The Somerville Y has been a cornerstone of the community for 156 years, providing transformative programs and services that nurture the potential of every individual and promote a healthy spirit, mind, and body. With a commitment to social responsibility and community development, the Somerville Y strives to create a positive impact and empower individuals to reach their full potential.

The Somerville Y would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Ballantyne and the dedicated staff of the city of Somerville for their unwavering support. Along with a special thank you to the members of the city council who have reached out to the Y expressing their excitement and support for this long-awaited endeavor. Their longstanding alliance with the Y has been instrumental in making this project a reality, and the collaboration looks forward to continuing this fruitful partnership for the next 100+ years.

The project will encompass the following key components, each designed to address the pressing needs of the community:

New Y Facility: As part of this visionary project, a state-of-the-art Y facility will be constructed. This modern facility will serve as a thriving community hub, offering a wide range of amenities and services for people of all ages and backgrounds. From health and wellness programs to educational initiatives and recreational activities, the new Y facility will foster a sense of well-being and belonging within the community.

Community Engagement: The Somerville Y is dedicated to creating meaningful engagement opportunities that empower individuals and foster a strong sense of community. Through various initiatives, the project aims to bring people together, providing spaces and programs that encourage connection, collaboration, and personal growth.

Affordable Housing: Recognizing the importance of safe and stable homes, the Somerville Y is committed to preserving and expanding the affordable housing inventory in the area. The project aims to help meet the diverse needs of individuals and families within our community.

The project team is comprised of:

  • Consigli Construction Co., Inc.: Consigli Construction Co., Inc. is a leading construction manager in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Consigli services clients across all markets, including academic, health care, life sciences, institutional, energy, corporate and federal. Founded in 1905, Consigli is now a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) company, providing its people a direct benefit of its success and creating a culture of accountability. The company has offices in Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., Maine, Connecticut, New York, North Carolina and the Caribbean. Consigli has received numerous awards for its craftsmanship and employment practices, including consistent national recognition as a Forbes Best Employer. For more information, visit consigli.com.

  • Stantec: Stantec is a global leader in sustainable design, has been selected to provide architecture, interior design and landscape services for the project. For more information, visit Boston, Massachusetts Office Projects (stantec.com).

  • CSL Consulting: CSL is an Owner’s Project Management and Mitigation firm that provides construction consulting services to a full spectrum of clients in the higher ed, private K-12, corporate, hospitality, healthcare, development, infrastructure, nonprofit and life sciences markets, among others. CSL is a nationally recognized Minority-Owned Business (MBE). For more information, visit csl-consulting.com.
This exceptional team ensures that the Somerville Y is poised to execute the project with utmost precision and meet the goals and expectations put in place.

Communication: The Y understands with excitement and anticipation comes questions and speculation, please visit https://somervilleymca.org/ for real and up-to-date information or contact Vladimir Benoit at 617-996-6601.

About the Somerville Y

Each year, the Somerville Y reaches over 5,000 people and 2,500 youths through a variety of social, cultural, and athletic programs designed to help participants grow personally, understand others, and appreciate the world’s diversity. The Somerville Y serves the City of Somerville and its adjacent neighborhoods in Boston, Cambridge, Arlington, Medford, Malden, and Everett, an area generally defined as lower middle-class suburbs of Boston.

Contact

Vladimir Benoit
Somerville YMCA
+1 617-996-6601
email us here
Click to expand...
 
Proposed labs in East Somerville would be homes as the wishes of neighbors match a market trend

092723i-45-51-Broadway.jpg

A former lab project in East Somerville will become residential instead because of objections to proposed height and traffic impacts at neighborhood meetings, said developers at Sept. 13 hearings about 45-51 Broadway.

“We heard your comments,” representatives from Highland Development said at the first neighborhood meeting for two proposed six-story apartment buildings with shared underground parking. The site is across the street from another planned six-story residential development approved by the city last year.

The building at 45 Broadway is proposed to include 49 units with a mix of studios, “junior one-bedrooms” – studios with a walled-off area – two-, and three-bedroom units with retail space on the ground floor. The other building at 51 Broadway will have 106 units, none with three bedrooms. The presenters said they would meet Somerville’s requirement for 20 percent of the 155 units to be kept as affordable, but did not say if they would consider more.

The project will need to seek site plan approval and a special permit from the Planning Board after another neighborhood meeting with more specifics.

The 45 Broadway site currently houses a two-story automotive shop, Broadway Brake; 51 Broadway holds a triple-decker house built around 1900.

Neighbors and abutters were concerned about the potential impacts of loading and unloading zones in the area, as well as displacement of nearby residents to create space for the lab. “I’m glad those concerns were taken seriously,” said Ward 1 city councilor Matthew McLaughlin, who was present for previous meetings on the project.
Click to expand...

Sounds like the Davis Sq lab is paused.
Slowdown in labs


Lab construction is also less appealing now to developers, with the real estate brokerage Newmark reporting that millions of square feet of space recently expected to become labs could be put on hold – though there’s still more demand for lab space than office space. The trend of dropping demand in the region is being felt elsewhere in Somerville too, said Sarah Lewis, the city’s director of planning, preservation and zoning in the Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development.

The developer Asana, after winning site plan approval April 6 for its 7th Spoke project in Davis Square, “paused, given the fact that what they have approval for is a lab building,” Lewis said in a Tuesday call. “All the lab buildings seem to be pausing at the moment based on the economy.”

“Our understanding is that Asana is marketing the property but won’t commence construction until they have a tenant for the lab stories,” Lewis said.
Click to expand...

Affordable housing


With Highland Development switching purposes entirely at 45-51 Broadway, at-large city councilor Jake Wilson said he hoped the developer would make the project more dense.

“I would happily trade some density for some additional affordable housing there,” said Wilson, noting that the council was discussing zoning to incentivize that more broadly.

Comments from the public, though showing concern about a large development, were generally neutral or in favor of the 45-51 Broadway project. Matt Marotta of Icon Architecture noted that it was still in the very early stages, and the presentation was mostly conceptual to give the public a general idea of massing. Jordan Smith, an attorney with Sullivan & Worcester representing Highland Development, said more detailed plans would come in the second neighborhood meeting, after review by the Urban Design Commission.
Click to expand...

Updated 44 Broadway render
092723i-44-Broadway.png


Streetscape improvements


Improvements to the streetscape are also proposed. Ben Rogan, another representative from Highland Development, noted improvements to the pedestrian traffic in the area. In particular, Stephen Sawyer, a civil engineer with the project, noted a pedestrian crossing from George Street to the entrance of 51 Broadway. Another planner, landscape architect Allison Desbonnet, highlighted the uneven sidewalks along the street as a result of heavy trucks coming in and out. Additionally, bike racks, seating and planting beds would be added along the sidewalk.

Several large trees would be removed due to their level of deterioration, with eight additional trees would be planted as a result, Desbonnet said.

Given the industrial use of the site over decades, some residents remained concerned about construction kicking up polluted dust. In response to a question from abutter Chris Galvin, Marotta noted that the building process – including soil testing and mitigations such as spraying the building before demolition – are highly regulated processes.

“I’m hoping that these two developments can really bring about some improvements in this area and also be sure that they’re taking consideration from the people nearby,” neighbor Sarah Lynch said, asking the developer to consider rat control for the development.

Rogan responded by saying during their demolition at 44 Broadway across the street, “we brought in rat dogs that actually hunted down the rats and killed them.”
Click to expand...
 
#bancars said:
I've been wondering why this lot next to the new Gilman Square station is still empty:

mass.streetsblog.org

What’s Somerville Doing With a City-Owned Empty Lot Next to a New Light Rail Station? - Streetsblog Massachusetts

In 2014, the City of Somerville endorsed a plan to create new affordable housing, spaces for small businesses, and public plazas for city-owned land next to the new Gilman Square Green Line Station. Nearly a decade later, it's still an empty lot.
mass.streetsblog.org mass.streetsblog.org
Click to expand...

Dear God, that Mayor Ballantyne is showing zero leadership on this large, cleared site right next to the Gilman Square station. That's downright sad. Can anyone wake her up? Look, I know Curtatone was there until 2 years ago, but I would venture to guess that once the station opened up he would have at least started a serious process.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top