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“Somerville Reads” Together

Posted by Melissa McWhinney a 9:59 pm on March 5, 2010

This spring, Somerville is launching its first “one city, one book” campaign, a community reading project in which people all over the City will be encouraged to read and discuss the same book.

The kickoff event will be on Sunday, March 28, 4:00 to 8:00 at the Somerville Armory on Highland Avenue.  The book…

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Posted in Accessibility, All Ages, Arts and Culture, Civil and Human Rights, Events, Pedestrians | 10 Comments »

MPO Access Advisory Committee to the MBTA Meeting

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 6:49 pm on February 14, 2010

MPO Access Advisory Committee to the MBTA Meeting

Wed. Feb. 24 1:00 PM

State Transportation Building
Conf. Rms. 2, 3
10 Park Plaza
Boston MA (map)

Agenda (PDF)

This is the regular meeting of the Metropolitan Planning Organization Access Advisory Committee. This committee was…

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Posted in Accessibility, All Ages, Announcements, Buses, Civil and Human Rights, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Pedestrians, Seniors, Special, Trains, Transportation, Transportation Projects | No Comments »

Regional Transportation Advisory Council Meeting

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 10:11 pm on February 8, 2010

Regional Transportation Advisory Council Meeting

Wed. Feb. 10 3:00 PM

State Transportation Building
Conf. Rm. 4
10 Park Plaza
Boston MA (map)

Jan. 28, 2010 MPO Amendment to Public Comment Period. (PDF)

Feb 2. 2010 TCAC Letter to MPO (PDF)

This…

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Posted in All Ages, Bicycles, Buses, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Green Line, Neighborhoods and Squares, Pedestrians, Special, Traffic & Parking, Trains, Transportation, Transportation Projects | No Comments »

Comment Period on Amendment to MPO Public Participation Plan

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 10:09 pm on

Comment Period on Amendment to MPO Public Participation Plan

Starts: Mon. Feb. 8
Ends: Thurs. Mar. 25

Amendment (PDF)

This is the beginning of the 45-day comment period on the MPO Public Participation Plan to shorten or waive the public comment period on certification documents.

Ordinarily…

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Posted in Bicycles, Buses, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Green Line, Housing, Pedestrians, Special, Traffic & Parking, Trains, Transportation, Transportation Projects | No Comments »

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Planning Meeting

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 7:16 pm on January 31, 2010

Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Planning Meeting

Tues., Feb. 16, 6:30 PM

Upper Hall
Greek Orthodox Church
29 Central St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the rescheduling of the Feb. 9 Phase 3 planning meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. At this meeting, the group will begin specifying…

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Posted in All Ages, Bicycles, Buses, City Finances, Crime, Development and Zoning, Economy & Poverty, Environment and Open Space, Events, Green Line, Health Care, Housing, Immigration, Neighborhoods and Squares, Pedestrians, Public Health & Safety, Somerville By The Numbers, Special, Traffic & Parking, Trains, Transportation, Transportation Projects | 1 Comment »

Public Meeting on Mystic River Reservation Recreational Path Extension (Wellington Undercarriage)

Posted by David Dahlbacka a 7:17 pm on December 13, 2009

Public Meeting on Mystic River Reservation Recreational Path Extension (Wellington Undercarriage)

Thurs. Dec. 17 6:30 PM

Mystic Activity Center
535 Mystic Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This meeting is a forum for discussing the planned boardwalk connecting the recreational path under Route 28 to link Ten Hills and Assembly…

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Posted in Accessibility, All Ages, Bicycles, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Neighborhoods and Squares, Pedestrians, Special, Transportation | No Comments »

Community Members Set Priorities for Green Line Extension

Posted by Jennifer Lawrence a 2:15 pm on December 1, 2009

Community ratifies set of 11 principles for land use planning along the Green Line extension.

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Posted in Bicycles, Buses, Civil and Human Rights, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Green Line, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Pedestrians, Press Release, Trains, Transportation, Transportation Projects | No Comments »

A 12% Running Slope Is 100% Inaccessible

Posted by eila a 11:41 pm on October 25, 2009

Here’s a 12% slope in Union Square, at the crosswalk between 2 HP parking spaces, nearest curbcut to the Union Square Bus stop, necessary to access the commercial area and the SCAT building:

12%Marion'sScaryCurbCut

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Posted in Accessibility, Civil and Human Rights, Pedestrians, Public Health & Safety | 2 Comments »

All American?

Posted by intrepid a 6:47 pm on October 17, 2009

In RE: Joe Lynch on Joe’s Original Crosswalks

The situation you describe, Joe, in which the Magoun Square project consultant told you that cost is the reason that a principal location, one where safe wheelchair access is crucial, will not be built in compliance with ADA specifications- is scandalous. I join you…

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Posted in Accessibility, Civic Action, Development and Zoning, Pedestrians | 1 Comment »

Joe’s Original Crosswalks

Posted by eila a 1:23 pm on September 17, 2009

Q:  Why Didn’t the Rolling Somerville Pedestrian Cross the Road at the Crosswalk?

A:  Because the City of Somerville Deciders have been playing chicken with standards.

This photo essay will show 30 lost opportunities to create a safer community on Mayor Curtatone’s watch.…

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Posted in Accessibility, Civic Action, Civil and Human Rights, Development and Zoning, Government Reform, Neighborhoods and Squares, Pedestrians, Public Health & Safety, Traffic & Parking, Transportation Projects | 20 Comments »

Davis Square Pedestrian Environment Not Up To Code

Posted by eila a 10:45 pm on September 6, 2009

My long-lived friends keep telling me stories about pedestrian accidents in Davis Square.  Fractured a jaw.  Twisted knees.  Fractured elbow, shoulder, wrists.  Slipped and broke an ankle, on crutches for 5 months, still don’t feel safe walking.  Couldn’t even drive for 5 months.  Davis Square bricks.

Yep, reported it, tried to.  Told the Aldermen. …

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Posted in Accessibility, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Neighborhoods and Squares, Pedestrians, Public Health & Safety, Transportation | 11 Comments »

HONK! Festival Parade Open Meeting

Posted by Columbine a 8:56 pm on August 18, 2009

Get the skinny on Somerville’s own sassy, classy, and definitely brassy festival of alternative marching bands coming up October 11th, and find out how to be part of the fun!

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Posted in Arts and Culture, Bicycles, Events, Pedestrians | No Comments »

A New Revenue Maker for Somerville

Posted by Janine D. a 10:40 am on July 7, 2009

I have a new idea as to how Somerville can raise revenue: ticket jaywalkers.  I drive through Davis Square daily to drop my son off at daycare and DAILY come across pedestrians who think it is OK to cross the street wherever they want.  …

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Posted in City Finances, Pedestrians, Public Health & Safety | 19 Comments »

Ward 7 Sidewalk Access Report, Endicott to Alewife along Broadway

Posted by eila a 8:37 pm on June 29, 2008

If a municipality’s Bus stops are unreachable and inaccessible, due to badly built street facilities, then its residents are restricted from accessing public transportation systems, etc..For some individuals, the challenges created by these issues cause them to be nearly or fully housebound.
Do you think such quality of life issues should continue to be put off until “tomorrow?” …

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Posted in Accessibility, Government Reform, Neighborhoods and Squares, Pedestrians | 4 Comments »

Somerville Ave./ Milk Row Cemetery Access Report

Posted by eila a 9:47 pm on June 10, 2008

The Milk Row Cemetery is a Historic Preservation Commission project, and its improvements triggered sidewalk accessibility improvements by 2005. Below is the copy of the complaint I submitted today. This is at least the third time this issue has been brought to the attention of the City ADA Coordinator in the past year.

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Posted in Accessibility, Neighborhoods and Squares, Pedestrians | No Comments »