Today's Globe covers the changing Davis Square

[ron_newman]

From today's Globe City Weekly:

Davis Square's night shift has residents losing sleep, by Kristen Green. All about the Burren's 2 am license, One Davis Square, CVS, Chipotle, and other locally familiar topics.

Comments

[ariwriter.livejournal.com]

Why are people so afraid of change?

I don't see Davis Square becoming more commercialized, but changing with the times.

Will people be upset? Sure.
Might long-term residents bicker and moan and maybe move away? Perhaps.

I'm a believer in the saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." But there is a reason why businesses come and go; it's because something is not right or something didn't happen (or maybe some external element caused the change). I say to the naysayers to accept the change, and recognize there is a reason why this business closed or this business opened. Nothing happens overnight.

[gildersleeve.livejournal.com]

I agree completely. I also think the article is not very balanced in it's coverage.

I don't see how an extra hour on Friday and another on Saturday are suddenly going to dramatically change the square. A bar like the Burren is a boon to the square because they are active in the community and generally responsible about their business. Years and years ago Davis had some rough and rowdy bars that were the total opposite of the Burren; now that we have better places, it is important to keep them.

I have lived a few blocks from Wallace Street my entire life and think the square is much more quiet and respectful at night these days than in the 70's. If someone decides to settle and raise a family on a street between a central business district and a university campus, they cannot expect to have a quiet street 100% of the time, nevermind on a weekend night. Their real concern should be more of their high property taxes going to increase street patrols - that is what truly keeps things in check. A few years ago Davis had bike cops - they were great. All this time and effort arguing about a 2am license and none about things that really have an effect.

Amen.

[shana-lyons.livejournal.com]

Amen to that. A 2 AM liquor license is not the be all and end all of the square.

The sky is falling

[omacg.livejournal.com]

Teele Sq is probably more "residential" than Davis and on my last visit had not turned into Sodom or Gomorrah since the 2am license was in place there.

There were already a number of bars in Somerville with a 2 am license and the only ones in non residential areas were probably "Good Times" and "The Independent" and really The Independent has housing just as close by. And both were allowing patrons to enter after 1 am (I am not advocating this).

Although Davis is loved as a cool, chill square the reality is that it is probably the premier business district in Somerville.

My 2c (all I have left from being in bars past 1 am ;-) )

O.