Public Meeting on FY20 Community Preservation Act Funds

Did you know the City is distributing CPA funds for the 6th time this year? The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is holding a public meeting where FY20 applicants will present their projects to the CPC and the community on Wednesday, October 23, at 6:30pm in the 3rd floor Community Room at the Visiting Nurse Association, 259 Lowell St. Come hear about the project proposals before the Community Preservation Committee and tell us which you think should be funded.

The City received three applications under the open space category which include:

• Renovating the Visiting Nurse Association Garden on Lowell St. to create the VNA Community Healing Garden
• Renovating the Central Hill Campus, which includes the area between School and Walnut Streets including space around City Hall, Somerville High School, and the Central Library. The renovation will include creating a new playground, memorial walk and a Gold Star Plaza
• Providing seed funds for the City of Somerville Open Space Acquisition Fund

Two applications were received under the Historic Preservation category and include:

• Constructing an elevator at the Somerville Museum to make it accessible to all
• Installing a fire alarm system at the Elizabeth Peabody House

To date, the CPA has supported a total of 71 affordable housing, historic resources, and open space/recreation land projects through awards of over $24.2 million since its adoption in 2012. This includes $2.68 million in matching funds from the state. As a result of these projects:

• 85 new units of affordable housing are being created
• 17 new acres of open space are being created
• 10 historic buildings and three historic collections are being preserved
• 6 historic buildings are being made more accessible, and
• 8 open spaces are being improved

 We know you are busy, but hope you will consider coming to the hearing. The Community Preservation Committee welcomes your comments on these project proposals to inform their decision making. Written comments are being accepted until November 1. Public comments should be sent to Judith Tumusiime at jtumusiime@somervillema.gov.

To find out more about the public hearing, please visit www.somervillema.gov/cpa or www.communitypreservation.org.

This year's applications for CPA funding are available on the CPA FY20 project website.

Reminder: Join the Community Preservation Committee Application Process, now open for new general public member.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested residents should complete the application available on the City’s CPA website at http://www.somervillema.gov/cpa or outside the SomerStat Office at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. Completed applications should be sent to employment_opportunities@somervillema.gov by October 25, 2019.

Please note that if you choose to apply for the Community Preservation Committee, your name and a portion of your application (a brief summary describing why you are a qualified candidate) will be posted on the city website for public review between October 28 and November 11, 2019. All community members are invited to provide feedback on candidates during this time. 

To find out more about serving as a CPC member, please visit www.somervillema.gov/cpa or www.communitypreservation.org.