Davis Sq Task Force meets Monday, 10/23

[ron_newman]

The Davis Square Task Force meets next Monday, October 23, at 7 pm, at the Tufts Administration Building (Senior Center), 167 Holland St.

7:00-7:10 - Intros, pick note taker
Updates: Davis T Art Project, Signs in square (Middlesex Bank, Extreme Tanning),
next mural meeting - October 25, 2006, 6:30 pm at Powder House Field House

7:10-7:25 - DARBI Update [DARBI == Davis Area Resident-Business Initiative]

7:25-8:00 - The Burren 2am License Petition

8-8:20 - Dunkin' Donuts 24 Hour Petition

8:20-8:40 - Davis T Station Changes

8:40-8:55 - Davis Sq. Store front updates, Someday Café and Sacco’s Bowl Haven

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

If you have any changes or additions to this list, please contact Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz, or Chris Daveta or Alice Martin in the city's Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development.

Comments

[ron_newman]

And now, an editorial comment from me:

Most people who attend meetings like this one tend to oppose late-night and 24-hour licenses. If you support these things, make a special effort to attend, or your voice will not be heard at all.

[nowalmart.livejournal.com]

While I will definitely agree that the Somerville and Cambridge area could use more late-night (after 2am) dining establishments, I would really rather see something other than Dunkin' Donuts.

I feel like giving Dunkin' Donuts a 24 hour license just means that we are less likely to see a late-night diner (something I enjoy in other cities, and would love to see in the Davis Square "metropolitan" area).

I suppose the argument could be made that if DD pulls it off without problem, though, that other people will be more likely to try it (but then I fear Somerville will be less likely to approve of "another place going late night.")

Only vaguely related, but has the Store 24 in Davis ever thought about living up to its name? (I could go either way on that one, honestly. I would like to see it close at 2am, but I have not run into a lot of problems with it being closed).

Anyway, just my thoughts.

[ron_newman]

I'm not necessarily for a 24-hour DD (in fact, I sorta lean against it), but felt it was important to point out the usual leanings of people who regularly attend these meetings.

Store 24/18

[ron_newman]

The story I've always heard about the Store 18: People live directly above the store, and got tired of late-night shoppers making noise in the parking lot.

Instead of requiring the store to close at midnight, I'd rather just require the parking lot to close at midnight, so people would have to park on surrounding streets during the wee hours.

[dominic-santos.livejournal.com]

A 24-hour diner in Davis Sq. would be wonderful!!! It could be like South Street Diner in Boston.

Ah, does anyone remember

[azores.livejournal.com]

Dolly's? That was an institution! When I was in law school, we ate many breakfasts roundabout 3:30am- it was located at 382 Highland, where Out of the Blue USED to be, and which is now a ubiquitous pizza/sub joint. And this was only in the late 90s so it hasn't been that long since such hours were allowed. Here's a link from Best of 1999 Boston Phoenix- http://www.bostonphoenix.com/supplements/the_best/99/text/CE_%7F%7F%7FDOLLY_S_LATE_NIGHT_R.html

Anyone have any insight on what caused the closure of Dolly's? Was it the changing of the law?

Re: Ah, does anyone remember

[crs.livejournal.com]

Their closure coincided with the building being renovated; I'm guessing they couldn't handle the combination of the downtime for construction and the increased rent for the improved facilities.

Re: Ah, does anyone remember

[ron_newman]

Dolly's was a continuation of an older late-night restaurant, Kay and Chips. It was open only between about 11 pm and 6 am, as I recall.

Re: Ah, does anyone remember

[feoh.livejournal.com]

Indeed, many of us who've lived in the area for years mourned Dollys passing. Mmm. Steak tips and eggs at 3 AM!

Re: Ah, does anyone remember

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

It opened at 8ish

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

The Burren closes at 1 even on friday/saturday? That's kinda absurd. (Clearly I haven't run into this problem yet but that would be so distressing!) What about Sligo?

[ron_newman]

I believe there are currently no 2 am bar licenses in Davis Square. If you want some, come to the meeting tonight.

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

I live exactly 8 inches over on the Cambridge line, so I don't think I am allowed to come :)

I also have better things to do, like going out drinking in a proper, late-closing Cambridge bar (if you want to call 2am late). :p

[ron_newman]

Whereas I live 8 inches from the line in Somerville. Are we next-door neighbors?

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

hee, maybe--actually, I moved and now live on Prentiss St (I think I actually pee in somerville but sleep in Cambridge), so I'm less close to Davis now. Still about a 10 minute walk.

I'm sorry if I've been peeing in your house by mistake.

[ron_newman]

Nope, I'm on Day Street. But yeah, the Davis Square Task Force regulars wouldn't look too favorably on a non-Somerville resident lobbying for later bar hours ;-)

[ron_newman]

I wrote up a summary of the meeting.