Broadway Streetscape Project in East Somerville

The City has developed a preliminary plan for a streetscape and roadway improvement project for Broadway, between McGrath Highway and the City Line near Sullivan Square. Since this past winter the City has worked in conjunction with East Somerville Main Streets, and East Somerville residents and business owners to come up with a pedestrian-friendly, multi-modal, transit-oriented street that encourages people to walk, bike and gather along East Somerville's central business corridor.

An initial meeting was held on Monday, November 19, 2007 to introduce the project. Additional meetings were held on Tuesday, December 4, 2007, Monday, January 14, 2008, and Wednesday, February 13, 2008. More recently, a Community Meeting was held on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. All meetings were held in the evening at the Cross Street Senior Center (165 Broadway) to provide the public an opportunity to shape the plans and provide input on the project, including but not limited to concerns regarding potential traffic impacts and comments on streetscape elements such as paving treatments, street furniture (benches, lamps, trash cans) and landscaping. The City hopes to develop a final design concept in August.

"Broadway is one of Somerville's major gateway corridors, and a valuable business district. This type of streetscape project can enhance economic activity and create an attractive environment to draw pedestrian shoppers while smoothing transportation access of all kinds. In order to do that, we need to balance the needs of the businesses, residents, and the public while at the same time being sensitive to the history of the area."

- Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

"This is an exciting project with tremendous potential to make lasting contributions to East Somerville's economic development and quality of life. Our neighborhood has already proven that real leadership and initiative yields exciting, positive new growth potential. We have been anticipating this project for a number of years now, and I appreciate the hard work that East Somerville Main Streets has put into developing an effective public participation and advisory process."

- Alderman William M. Roche, Ward 1

"This project will significantly enhance the Broadway commercial corridor and make East Somerville into a shopping and dining destination for nearby residents and visitors to the area. We are genuinely excited about getting feedback from all interested parties on the concepts we've developed so far."

- Monica Lamboy, Executive Director of Office of
Strategic Planning and Community Development

For more information, contact The Mayor's Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development at 617-625-6600 ext. 2500.