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