Powder House Community School

[wsguy.livejournal.com]

It looks like it's down to Tufts and The "National Drug Store Chain" (reportedly CVS) with 35 residential units.

Comments

[smacaski.livejournal.com]

Do you have a source for this? An article or such?

[ron_newman]

Can you link to where you read this? When did CVS start building residential units?

[thanny2000.livejournal.com]

I received a flyer in my mailbox signed by "Concerned Residents of PowderHouse School" (with no further information) which states that the City will choose between Tufts or CVS next week. The flyer recommends emailing or calling the Mayor's Office.

I hope someone else here can add more information.

[wsguy.livejournal.com]

They wouldn't technically be selling it to CVS. It would be sold to a developer that would then develop it for CVS and the residential units.

[somerfriend.livejournal.com]

Complaints about density in 3-2-1....

[thespian.livejournal.com]

Shame. I really liked the option with the public use classrooms.

[somerfriend.livejournal.com]

Why is there such a gigantic demand for drugstores? 2 in Davis, 2 in Porter. Don't they have a saturation point? Why not say a hardware store? Don't people need that kind of stuff almost as often and at least there aren't 2 other ones in Davis already, (though there is one in Porter)?

[el-cubano-15.livejournal.com]

I've often wondered this myself. It must have to do with the large amount of profit gained by the sales of pharmaceuticals.

[bostonartist.livejournal.com]

That must be it. If you look at a busy CVS, it looks to me like they are making $ hand over fist.

[ron_newman]

I'm going to put that differently: why are drugstores concentrated in certain neighborhoods, but entirely missing from others? (Union Square, East Somerville)

Leaving aside Somerville, both Kendall Square and the Seaport could desperately use a CVS (or competitor).

[wsguy.livejournal.com]

The developer that submitted the bid that included the drug store chain, had the largest bid for the property . As a neighbor to the property, I hope Tufts gets it.

[ron_newman]

I'd want Tufts only if they agree to keep the property on the tax rolls.

[grapefruiteater.livejournal.com]

They will probably pay PILOTs (payments in lieu of taxes).

[somervilleguy.livejournal.com]

I still would prefer just housing units at market rate. I would prefer that a cvs not be included but I guess that ship has sailed in regards to that proposal. Housing units will easily have the biggest return with the lowest impact on the area. A cvs must be open until at least 9pm I would imagine and it is possible that crime could also be concern.

I don't think the Tufts bid is viable since it would not be housing at market rates and that is huge amount of money for the city to leave on the table. Medford has made some really bad mistakes in regard to the properties its sold to Tufts and I hope Somerville doesn't give away a property it will almost certainly never own again.

[somerfriend.livejournal.com]

I think a mix of residential and commercial within walking distance is what makes this place desireable to live, but I understand your concerns.

[somervilleguy.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't really have problem with that if the shops are small and therefore likely to be "mom and pop".

[ron_newman]

I've never before heard a claim that CVS* can cause crime. To be maximally useful, it should be open until midnight just like Davis Square's.

* I'm also wondering if the national drugstore chain is actually Walgreen's, which unlike CVS and Rite Aid has no presence in West Somerville.

[smoterh.livejournal.com]

Actually residential units are the least beneficial to the city, financially speaking. They generate half the tax revenue and they cost more in services. For each residential unit, city rakes only only 50% of the possible taxes that would be possible with a commercial property. On top of that it has to provide schooling, trash removal and all kinds of other services.

[wsguy.livejournal.com]

In Tufts bid, they agreed to pay all taxes associated with the property.

[somervilleguy.livejournal.com]

Correct, but offices won't bring in the tax revenue of market condo's or apartments.

[ron_newman]

Why not? Commercial property is assessed a higher tax rate than residential.

[somervilleguy.livejournal.com]

True. Taxes are also based on the content of the space and its construction. High end residential can cost quite a bit more to construct than office space and is assed at that value. Not to mention the added residents will spend money almost daily in the area and require more services than most commercial property.