Davis Square Task Force agenda for Wed 6/28

[ron_newman]

The Davis Square Task Force will meet Wedneday, June 28 from 7-9pm in the Tufts Administration Building, 167 Holland St. Everyone is invited. Here is the agenda. (I didn't write it up, I'm just passing it on from Chris Daveta, CDAVETA@ci.somerville.ma.us)

7:00-7:10 - Intros

7:10-7:25 - Adam Dash presentation on project next to the Bike Path

7:25-7:30 - Brief update on bike path plans with MBTA

7:30-7:45- DARBI [Davis Area Resident-Business Initiative] Update

7:45-8:00 - Michele Bisoce: Som|Dog presentation about off-leash areas
on bike path

8:00-8:30 - Traffic in Davis Square - Mark Chase, Davis resident and
traffic consultant to present (continued from previous meeting)

8:30-8:40 - Sara Rosenfeld about Community Servings

8:40-8:50 - Dunkin' Donuts' possible proposal for 24 hours
Mr. Crepe coming to Someday Café site

8:50-8:55 - Sign at Middlesex Bank in Davis Sq.

8:55-9:00 - Wrap up and next meeting

Comments

[chumbolly.livejournal.com]

Davis is definitely not seedy, but there's room to improve. Assembly Square REALLY needs improvement, but the current plans to plop down a multi-use housing/shopping/office mecca would do nothing to satisfy Jane Jacobs if she were still alive. Actually, come to think of it, I personally saw Jane Jacobs tear into an urban planner who was touting the plans for Assembly Square as being "oh-so-great" and "Jacobian." She had to explain to the hapless planner that he completely misunderstood a lot of her theories. Even in their best iteration, the redevelopment plans call for large-scale, complete redevelopment based on large parcels and excessive green space. Jacobs always emphasized keeping old buildings (because old buildings tend to be run-down and cheap, and therefore affordable to new businesses) and keeping a walkable street pattern. Diversity of uses is a step in the right direction, but there must also be a diversity of age and economics. Green space becomes a place for trash and crime if its not tightly surrounded by a vibrant urban area. The key idea is people, people, people. Don't fear their presence, encourage it.