GROUNDBREAKING AND RIBBON CUTTING PLANNED TO CELEBRATE EAST SOMERVILLE ON JULY 15TH

"East Somerville is on the brink of a

total, positive transformation, and the reconstruction of East Broadway and the

addition of a new and exciting play space for children and families really

highlights all the tremendous progress being made in that neighborhood," said

Mayor Curtatone. "Renowned restaurateurs, developers and executives have

already recognized East Somerville's potential and new restaurants and

businesses have cropped up over the last several months. Though work has been

ongoing, we are excited to welcome Chuckie Harris Park, and to celebrate summer

by highlighting the great progress being made in East Somerville."

"Residents of East Somerville have long

awaited the changes that are finally coming our way, and as we already start to

see the changes and positive results, we look forward to showing the rest of

Somerville, and the entire metro area, the unique flavor, diversity, and

thriving local business district that East Somerville has fostered for so

long," said Alderman Bastardi.

The East Broadway Streetscape Project

will include major upgrades to safety and traffic operation systems, including

the addition of bike lanes in each direction, infrastructure improvements and

streetscape improvements such as wider sidewalks, new trees and sidewalks. The

project began in late 2012 and is expected to be completed in 2014.

Construction updates and additional information are available at www.somervillema.gov.

"The East Broadway renovation and the new Harris Park

design both do such a nice job of playing off of the East Broadway Business

District's existing asset, a vibrant street life," said Carrie Dancy, Executive

Director of East Somerville Main Streets. "The wider sidewalks will quickly

make East Broadway the city's outdoor dining destination - and the seating and

movie screen at the park convert it in an instant community hub. We can't wait

to see even more people out enjoying the neighborhood and business

district." 

Chuckie Harris Park, a formerly vacant,

paved lot on Cross Street East, underwent significant reconstruction over the

last year. The park honors the memory of Somerville resident Chuckie Harris. Upgrades

to the park were designed with significant community input, and the park now

includes more than 70 new trees, multi-functional recreational and meeting

spaces, and 100% ADA accessibility, transforming the space from a vacant lot to

an urban oasis.

Monday's events will begin with a brief

speaking agenda, followed by a ribbon cutting officially re-opening Chuckie

Harris Park. Mayor Curtatone will then lead a short walking tour up Cross

Street East, left onto Broadway, finishing at the East Branch Library, during

which participants will learn about and see firsthand the work ongoing on

Broadway. Demonstrations of bike lanes, café seating, and more will be

available along the route. At the end of the tour, everyone is invited to a

reception to be hosted by the East End Grille.

For more information about either of

these projects, visit www.somervillema.gov or contact the Mayor's Office of

Strategic Planning and community development at 617-625-6600 x2500.