assembly square news

[jd-science.livejournal.com]

i've heard bits and pieces about the assembly square debate for a while. can anyone translate this press release for me into what it means for residents as well as businesses?

http://www.ci.somerville.ma.us/NewsDetail.cfm?instance_id=874

Comments

[csbermack.livejournal.com]

I think it means that it's currently a go for:

- Renovated mall stays as it is pending some fiddly paperwork

- An new neighborhood gets built. Multi-use means not just housing, high-density means big apartment buildings, and "urban village" probably means someone's smoking something tasty and the streets won't be straight

- IKEA goes in, but not right on the waterfront

- Theoretically, a T stop will be added

- This all depends on whatever other parties do to try to interfere, not that the article talks about it.

I'll believe it when I see it.

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

I think I read this exact same news release 5 years ago :)

well, the ikea trading land thing is a newer development, and a decent idea I think.

It fails to mention the Good Times Stabborium though :(

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

Keep in mind that this is an issue on which people on both sides have very strong feelings, so remember to apply your bias filters to anything you get here, and don't be surprised if people say seemingly contradictory things :).

[jd-science.livejournal.com]

I suppose i don't even know what the two sides are or what they're pushing. I recall hearing something about people saying the "mixed-use" label was not quite true...

[push-stars.livejournal.com]

There is a grassroots group working to change the plans that the city and developers keep coming to terms with. At their site is some information that outlines the technical differences between the plans. The cities, or mayors, position is that they are not "realistic". Here is their site: http://www.mysticview.org/0w-00guide-99.htm#guide_xx

They have also posted a series on the subject that has a lot of the history, here is number ten in the series: http://somervillenews.typepad.com/the_somerville_news/2006/06/assembly_square_3.html

[dent42.livejournal.com]

Probably another round of whining frivilous lawsuits from the Mystic Valley Task Force to waste not only more time, but more money as well.