phantom tollbooths in Davis Sq. ...

[an-art-worker.livejournal.com]

apropos of nothing and not a serious proposal but I was thinking about sales taxes last night, the discussion of tolls on 93 south and something to do with all the border violence going on in the world these days. Suddenly I had this image of tollbooths/checkpoints on the roads entering Davis Sq. Weird but interesting to speculate on.

The growth in popularity of the sq. has brought higher rents and housing prices, higher prices in stores and bars and general gentrification. The city of Somerville and the property owners benefit but the residents don't. Would be interesting to have a toll that went to offset the costs of gentrification to people who actually live here.

Comments

[komos.livejournal.com]

And therein lies the trouble. I'd be far less likely to trek into the Square from Medford if I couldn't take my car. It's a question of a 5-10 minute drive and the means to transport things or a 5-10 minute walk to a bus that will take 15-20 minutes to get to the Square (assuming I time it right) and figuring out -purely hypothetically - a way to carry my empties to Downtown W&S and then get steaks home from McKinnon's without having them go tainty.

Because transport options aren't nearly as robust as they could be, it's precisely the sort of choice that drives people from supporting quirky small businesses to shopping at the megalo-mart.

You need your own local Davis Square!

[turil.livejournal.com]

Well, the answer is to have a similarly useful small city center in Medford for you! You shouldn't have to go to another city to get the basics.

Re: You need your own local Davis Square!

[komos.livejournal.com]

In a perfect world, I'd live above a bakery and be able to purchase local, organic produce with a short walk. My local publican would know my name and have drinks ready for me, and would probably trade meals for cheese of my making.

The idea certainly has appeal, but I don't think that it's entirely possible given our corporate chain, profit-driven economy. There is certainly a balance that can be struck, but I think the reason why places like Davis work is because there are just as many people who treat it as a destination as call it home.

Be the change you want to see in the world.

[turil.livejournal.com]

The only way your "perfect world" will happen is if you make it happen. You'd be surprised what you can accomplish if you only try...

I am the change you want to see in the world.

[komos.livejournal.com]

I make cheese and other dairy products;
I brew beer and wine;
I bake bread;
I frequent farmers' markets and trek out to Lexington so I can purchase local produce; and
I go to places like McKinnon's to support small local markets.

I drive. If I didn't, these things would either be impossible or inconvenient enough that they wouldn't happen.