Join the Union & Gilman Sq. Committees

COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEES FOR UNION AND GILMAN SQUARE
NEED VOLUNTEERS

Committees would advise the city on strategic planning
decisions and development in both squares over the next two years

SOMERVILLE
– The City of Somerville is seeking residents, property owners, members of the
business community and other community representatives to serve on two advisory
committees for Union Square and Gilman Square that will advise the city on
strategic planning decisions and development in both squares over the next two
years.

Discussion
within the committees would cover a variety of topics affecting each square
including economic development, land use, housing, transportation, open space
and quality of life. The City is seeking up to 15 members for each committee to
provide advice and input as plans for each square develop over the next two
years. Each committee’s meeting schedule will be determined by the committees’
workload, and tentatively projected to meet bimonthly. Those interested in
serving on either committee should contact Stephen Houdlette in the Mayor’s
Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development at 617-625-6600 ext.
2521.

“These
committees are all about identity, both preserving what we love now about these
neighborhoods and shaping their identities for decades to come,” said Mayor
Joseph A. Curtatone. “In Union, we are enhancing the identity of the square. In
Gilman, we are creating an identity for the square. With the foundation already
laid by the work the City and community have done together in planning around
these squares and coming T stations, and with our overall foundation of our
20-year comprehensive SomerVision plan, we want to continue engaging our
residents, the business community and all stakeholders as we solidify our
vision for these neighborhoods.”

These
committees will build upon the foundation of community planning work that has
already taken place in both squares and the imminent advantage of the Green
Line Extension, with stations scheduled to open in Union and Gilman squares in
2017 and 2019, respectively. Union Square has in place a state approved urban
renewal plan and a forthcoming, wide-ranging roadway and infrastructure improvement
plan. Additionally, the City plans to
launch a request for proposals to attract developer interest in the disposition
parcels along Prospect Street and Somerville Avenue that are designated for
development in the redevelopment plan.

“I
am pleased that the City’s engagement with Union Square residents will continue
as we shape the future of the neighborhood,” said Ward 2 Alderman Maryann
Heuston. “The planned infrastructure work in Union Square is critical to
addressing flooding in the neighborhood and roadway improvements will help an
already flourishing neighborhood grow and thrive even more, especially with the
coming Green Line Extension. With these improvements coming, it’s important we
hold true to our community’s vision for development in the neighborhood.”

In
Gilman Square, the City recently released a draft
development plan based on the community-driven Somerville by Design process. Administration officials are
preparing a funding request to be submitted to the Board of Aldermen as part of
the Capital Improvement Plan to create a redevelopment program for Gilman
Square that will promote land uses that take full advantage of their location
in proximity to the planned MBTA station.

“The
state approving nearly $400 million for the first phase of the Green Line
Extension, we are well on our way to transforming Gilman Square while
preserving the diversity and character of Ward 4,” said Ward 4 Alderman Tony
Lafuente. “We’ll be able to create jobs, more commercial space that benefits
taxpayers and  housing that meets the
needs of the neighborhood. It’s important that our residents have a say in how
we accomplish those goals as Gilman Square is developed.”

“Gilman
Square is ripe for revitalization after hundreds of residents and members of
the business community participated in Somerville
By Design’s Station Area Planning Series,” said Ward 1 Alderman Maureen
Bastardi. “Now we can take all that public feedback and continue to shape it by
having neighborhood stakeholders working hand-in-hand with our City planning
experts. With the help of the community, we can help Gilman Square reach its
fullest potential.”

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mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">Contact: Denise Taylor 617-625