by David Dahlbacka in All Ages, Beat Reporter, Development and Zoning, Events, Green Line, Mystic River, Neighborhoods and Squares, Union Square
Posted on October 7, 2012 at 3:58 pm
Last Modified on October 7, 2012 at 3:59 pm
| October 9, 2012 | ||
| 5:30 pm | to | 7:30 pm |
loading…
Somerville Redevelopment Authority Meeting
Tue. Oct. 9 5:30 – 8:00 PM
Somerville City Hall
3rd Fl. Conf. Rm.
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)
This is a special meeting of the Somerville Redevelopment Authority. According to state law, Redevelopment Authorities are empowered to buy and sell property, acquire property through eminent domain, and grant tax concessions.
Agenda is to approve the 2012 Union Square Revitalization Plan as amended by the BOA on Oct. 2, 2012.
For more information, see:
loading…
Beat Report: 10/9/12 Somerville Redevelopment Authority Meeting
Bottom Line on Top
SRA voted to accept Union Square Revitalization Plan as passed with amendments by BoA 10/2. It then voted to send it to the State for approval. Green Line station area planning is beginning with a vision meeting Oct. 17 for Gilman Square, Lowell Street, and Ball Square. The output of the Nov. 28-29 design charrettes may be made available to the public afterwards.
Rough Notes
Arrived at 5:40. OSPCD Director Glavin was thanking the SRA for their efforts on the Revitalization Plan. The meeting adjourned at 5:42, while I was still unpacking my keyboard. One of the SRA members pointed to his watch and shook his head sorrowfully.
Afterwards I spoke with OSPCD Director Glavin, who filled me in on what had happened during the meeting. He stated that on 10/2 the BoA (specifically, Alderman Heuston) had amended the Plan to add a phrase regarding the areas other than D2 (the area for which funding for takings was requested for use by the SRA). The phrase stated a preference for developing the other areas via private transactions with the property owners rather than via takings by the SRA. The SRA was required to vote to approve this change and did so.
We then spoke of the T station area plans, development of which is starting Oct. 17 for Gilman Square, Lowell Street, and Ball Square. Glavin pointed out that he wanted participation by neighbors other than “the usual suspects.” I pointed out that the Nov. 28 and 29 meetings were during the day, first of all, and were also oriented toward design professionals, which might be intimidating to the neighbors. The design presentation was in early January, six weeks later. I suggested that the output of the design charrette be made available to the neighbors in some manner, say by a report-out meeting. He said he would talk with George Proakis about that.
loading...