The Davis Square Community

LOCATION CHANGE: Star Market Site Update Meeting, May 8. 6:30pm

2018-04-28T21:31:17Z

Posted by: mem_winterhill

Some of you may be aware that there has been an offer on the Star Market property site on Broadway. Last I heard the offer was still in place, under an extension, as ducks were being aligned.

In Jesse Clingan's newsletter, a brief announcement about an upcoming status meeting was provided. I was told by neighborhood rumor later that this meeting is expected to include the developer team, with an early look at the design ideas.

Tuesday, May 8
6:30pm

School Cafetorium @ the

Arthur D. Healey School

5 Meacham St, Somerville, MA

Mystic Activity Center
530 Mystic Avenue

Even if you don't live in the neighborhood, if you have thoughts on development in Somerville we'd love to hear about your hopes, ideas and concerns. Please join us.

Also, we know that the city wants to re-engage people on the rollout of the Winter Hill and GIlman neighborhood plans shortly, in a likely related synchronism. So there may be more to come soon on that front as well.

[cross post from WHNA site]

comments

Davis Square Neighborhood Plan presentation, Monday 4/30

2018-04-18T10:40:34Z

Posted by: ron_newman

Get your eyes on the Davis Square Neighborhood Plan draft! Four years of community ideas, involvement, and input have led us here. Now, join the SomervillebyDesign planning team for an open house-style meeting to see the highlights.

Monday, April 30th, 6 pm
Somerville Baptist Church
31 College Avenue

You can learn more at www.somervillebydesign.com/neighborhoods/davis

comments

Wynn-related construction traffic has begun

2018-03-20T09:25:54Z

Posted by: gingicat

Sullivan Square, Rt. 99, Santilli Circle, Wellington Circle..,

Among other things, this will probably affect people going to the plaza with the Costco, as it’s right across Rt. 16 from Santilli Circle where some of this construction is happening.

I actually went past the site a couple of weeks ago; it’s right behind the Everett McDonalds. Also right behind a venerable neighborhood sub shop.

For more info and to sign up for alerts: http://www.wynnforall.com/

(And weren’t they going to take his name off of the casino?)

comments

notes on Porter Square Target store, from a meeting tonight

2018-02-16T03:14:39Z

Posted by: ron_newman

Aaron Hemquist, Senior Development Manager for Real Estate at Target Corporation in Minneapolis, presented the company’s plans for a Porter Square store at tonight’s meeting of the Porter Square Neighbors Association.

This will be a “small-format” Target store. At 28,000 square feet it will be 5000 sq ft larger than the Central Square store, but only 20% of a full-size Target. (For comparison, Everett is 140,000, Watertown 160,000, Somerville 94,000.)

Target will take up all of the first-floor space formerly occupied by Walgreens, and the building’s entire second floor (including what was a restaurant space) with the exception of Parrelli Optical, which will remain in place. Pot Belly, Sprint, and Anna’s Taqueria will remain where they are on the first floor.

The public stairway and escalator between the first and second floors have bene removed, so the only access to Parrelli will be via an elevator or the back stairs. Target will use the escalator and elevator that Walgreens installed to get between its first and second floors. Target has no current plans to expand to the currently vacant basement.

Target is opening other small-format stores this year in Roslindale, Medford, Stoneham, and Burlington, MA.

The store will open in October 2018. The product mix will be flexible, with the site team able to adjust it to local demand. The store will not have a CVS pharmacy counter or a Starbucks. It will be open from 8 am to 11 pm.

There is a loading dock behind the store, accessed from White Street. Deliveries will be made with small trucks, not semis.

The store will have 40-50 employees.

Of the 62 spaces in the garage, 40 will be reserved for Target customers and employees.

Contact info from Aaron Hemquist’s business card: aaron.hemquist@target.com, 612-761-5670, cell 612-559-2655,
1000 Nicollet Mall, TPN-12L, Minneapolis, MN 55403.

---------

EDIT: After I sent him these notes, Aaron e-mailed me these clarifications and corrections:

Stoneham opened in July 2017

The smaller trucks may or may not be considered semi-trucks. We often use semi-trucks with shorter trailers.

One other thing to note is that employment numbers can flex, so the 40-50 is an estimate.

comments

Any news about former Family Dollar?

2017-12-29T00:01:05Z

Posted by: ron_newman

The former Family Dollar store, which closed slightly before Christmas a year ago, no longer has FOR LEASE signs in the windows. Has anyone heard any news about possible tenants or permit or license applications?

comments

Just outside the square: Union Square presentation

2017-11-19T22:03:25Z

Posted by: secretlyironic

Monday at 6 PM at the Argenziano school on Washington Street-- meet with developers and city officials to see what the current plans look like.

The plan has several updates in response to neighborhood feedback, including relocating a park further from the busiest roads, and adjusting the massing of some buildings to make them fit into the surrounding buildings.

This is bound to be controversial so this is a really good opportunity to have input on the ways in which the community is going to be redeveloped.

comments

Upcoming Public Hearings

2017-11-14T16:17:37Z

Posted by: lancedavisward6

There are several public hearings coming up, on three different nights.

1. Wednesday, Nov. 15th, 7:30 P.M. City Hall -- This is for the proposed extension of the Medical Marijuana Overlay District (http://somervillecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=2547&MediaPosition=&ID=16946&CssClass=), which expired in June of this year. Five applicants received a letter of non-opposition from the city. Of those, one is now open, one is under construction, two have withdrawn, and one still wants to go forward with their plan (in Union Square). In order to obtain the Special Permit required to do so, the MMOD would need to be extended. I'm told that at this time the Administration has no plans to consider additional applications (though that could be revisited in the future). The Administration does expect to include a permanent MMOD in the proposed zoning overhaul, which is not yet before the Board.

2. Monday, November 27th, 6:00 P.M. City Hall -- There are technically four separate public hearings to be held on the 27th, on two topics:

A) Creating a jobs linkage fee:
- http://somervillecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=2548&MediaPosition=&ID=17127&CssClass=

and

- http://somervillecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=2548&MediaPosition=&ID=17257&CssClass=

B) Raising the affordable housing linkage percentage:
- http://somervillecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=2548&MediaPosition=&ID=17128&CssClass=

and

- http://somervillecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=2548&MediaPosition=&ID=17256&CssClass=

3. Tuesday, November 28, 6:00 P.M. City Hall -- Finally, there will be a public hearing on the proposed District Improvement Financing (DIF) that is before the Board, which would finance major infrastructure repairs and upgrades to the City's sewer and stormwater system. The work would focus on extended areas surrounding Union Square, as that is the "down stream" part of the system that needs to be addressed first, before working back upstream. More information, including materials submitted to the Board's Committee on Finance can be found here: www.somervillema.gov/usqdif

comments

Davis Square Neighborhood Planning Meeting

2017-10-23T20:48:01Z

Posted by: somervilleplanning

Join us for our next round of Davis Square Neighborhood Plan discussions! To fulfill the goal of strengthening Davis Square as a Local Center, we will be showing potential development on sites in the Davis Square core.

These two meetings will build off of one another. The first will show site layouts, height, and potential jobs/housing numbers. The second will refine layouts based on your feedback and start to show design details. Both meetings are an open house format so drop by anytime.

Time
6-8 pm

First Meeting
Wednesday, November 1
First Church UCC
89 College Ave

Second Meeting
Monday, November 13
First Church UCC
89 College Ave

For questions please contact us at planning@somervillema.gov

comments

Municipal Candidate Forum on October 10 @ 6:30pm

2017-09-26T18:51:56Z

Posted by: mem_winterhill

The Affordable Housing Organizing Committee, the Union United Coalition, and the Winter Hill Neighborhood Association are hosting a candidates’ forum in the lead-up to the November municipal election. The questions posed during the forum will focus on issues of affordable housing, development, and displacement in Somerville.

All candidates have been asked to fill out a questionnaire on affordable housing and development without displacement. The questions asked at the forum will be a subset of the questions in the questionnaire. We will publicize the answers online a week before the forum, to allow the greatest possible number of residents the chance to learn about the candidates’ positions on these important community issues.

Hope to see you there!

You can RSVP here

(cross-posted from WHNA)

comments

Davis Square Neighborhood Planning Meetings

2017-09-21T23:01:08Z

Posted by: somervilleplanning

Monday, September 25, 6-8 p.m.

Tufts Administration Building (TAB), 167 Holland Street, Senior Center, 2nd Floor

Join the City Planning Department for a special update and discussion on the Davis Square Neighborhood Plan. We’re excited to present this meeting with the help of a facilitator who specializes in a meeting format designed to give participants control of the discussion topics. First, city staff will offer an update on the plan started in 2013/14 as well as a look at next steps. Then, to address outstanding topics and ensure that any new ideas and goals are identified, our facilitator will use the Round Robin meeting format, which asks participants to bring up topics for small-group discussions. In short, participants will set the agenda for the night and also shape topics for the next meeting.

At the second meeting in this series on October 19 (at the Community Baptist Church, 31 College Ave. 6-8 p.m.), we’ll take a deeper dive into the community-selected topics and identify action steps to address the goals and needs related to each. City staff will bring in resources and experts on the topic areas selected in the first meeting to serve as a resource during discussions.

Whether your concerns are open space, traffic, parking, streetscape, bicycle infrastructure, housing or more, we hope you’ll join us.

Unfortunately we cannot monitor this page, so if have any questions or need any more information, please contact us at planning@somervillema.org

For more information about Davis Square Neighborhood Planning visit https://www.somervillebydesign.com/neighborhood-planning/davis-square/

comments

Old powderhouse school

2017-03-28T16:54:00Z

Posted by: phpanda.livejournal.com

There is a lot of work happening at old Powderhouse School on Broadway. Does anyone know where the plans are online for the new design that includes high school? I have not seen anything in the paper or at city websites.

comments

Davis Square Neighborhood Planning Meeting Tonight (3-21)

2017-03-21T11:38:00Z

Posted by: lancedavisward6.livejournal.com

Davis Square Neighborhood Planning Meetings

View this message in your browser

Our third Davis Square neighborhood planning meeting is tonight, March 21st at the Somerville Baptist Church, 31 College Avenue, starting at 6 pm.

We will have an engaged and interactive workshop, discussing the character and aesthetics of Davis Square. We want to hear from you and hope to see you there!

More Information on this meeting series here. Let us know if you have any questions.

Traducción Española: http://tinyurl.com/hgfrcu2

Tradução em português: http://tinyurl.com/z26vm35

Kreyòl ayisyen tradiksyon: http://tinyurl.com/hnhewhv

comments

Meeting Tonight re: 100 Dover St. (Fmr Ideal Engine)

2017-03-08T11:20:00Z

Posted by: lancedavisward6.livejournal.com

The owner of the former Ideal Engine is proposing multiple tenants in that space and is seeking zoning relief, including some parking relief. They will host a neighborhood meeting this evening at 6:30 P.M. at the site (100 Dover St.) to review the plans and answer questions. My understanding is that the space will be subdivided, with one portion leased by a small technology company and the other portion by Candlewick Press as an expansion to their existing location across the street.

The Planning Staff Report is here: http://archive.somervillema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rnd/DoverSt100_StaffReport_030117.pdf
The Plans are here: http://archive.somervillema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/DoverSt100_TenantA-PlanSet-FINAL.pdf
Revised drawings are here: http://archive.somervillema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Dover%20100%20Tenant%20A-ZBA%20rev%203%20Drawings-170224.pdf

comments

Upcoming Meetings

2017-02-27T20:22:00Z

Posted by: lancedavisward6.livejournal.com

UPCOMING MEETINGS: 

- Wednesday, March 1, 6:00 P.M.: ZBA Meeting on both Davis Square Medical Marijuana Dispensary proposals.

Visiting Nurse Association

259 Lowell St.

3rd Floor Community Room

- Thursday, March 2, 6:00 P.M.: 2nd (of 5) Davis Square Neighborhood Planning Meeting -- "New Developments" 

Community Baptist Church

31 College Ave.

Slides and video from the 1st meeting can be found here: https://www.somervillebydesign.com/neighborhood-planning/davis-square/

comments

Dunkin Donuts opens Thursday, bfresh opens Friday

2017-02-20T18:50:00Z

Posted by: ron_newman

The new Dunkin Donuts next to bfresh has a sign saying it will open this Thursday. I don't know what time it will open.

bfresh sent me a press release about its opening, which will happen this Friday at 9 am, "contingent on securing typical city permits and passing final inspections".
( Here's the full press release )

comments

Yes, more Davis Sq Design meetings!

2017-02-13T08:44:00Z

Posted by: nomacmac.livejournal.com

From the Somerville by Design website:
The City of Somerville’s Planning Department invites community members in the Davis Square area to a series of Somerville by Design meetings aimed at chartering the next steps in developing this great neighborhood while preserving its character.

Whether you are a renter or owner; new to the neighborhood or a long time resident, a planning meeting veteran or never attended one: We want to hear from you!
February 13th – History and Future
March 2nd – New Developments
March 21st – Aesthetics and Character
April 4th – Aesthetics and Character Continued
April 25th – Design Guideline Reviews
LOCATION
Somerville Baptist Church
31 College Avenue

comments

Cambridge Day article on soon-to-open bfresh grocery

2017-02-06T12:14:00Z

Posted by: ron_newman

Cambridge Day's Marc Levy toured the bfresh store with me last Friday, but took much more extensive notes. Here is his report on the new store.

comments

bfresh grocery: tentative opening date is Friday, February 24

2017-02-03T13:51:00Z

Posted by: ron_newman

I got a sneak-preview tour of the new bfresh grocery store at 240 Elm Street, where workers are busy putting the finishing touches on, stocking, and preparing to open. They told me the tentative opening date will be Friday, February 24. Hours will be 7 am to 10 pm every day.

The front half of the store is devloted to fresh produce, prepared foods, salads, soups, and a deli counter, while the back half will have packaged food.

The adjoining Dunkin Donuts will share a seating area with bfresh and will open around the same date.

comments

Public meeting on Garden Remedies marijuana dispensary, Wednesday 2/8

2017-02-02T08:30:00Z

Posted by: ron_newman

According to lancedavisward6, Garden Remedies will host a second public meeting on Wednesday Feb. 8th at 6:30 at Community Baptist Church to discuss the revised plans that they submitted to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Garden Remedies is proposing to convert part of 245 Elm Street, the former Family Dollar, into a medical marijuana dispensary, while subleasing the remainder of the space to another unspecified tenant. More info in this earlier DSLJ post.

(I'm adding a "marijuana" tag to DSLJ, as I expect this to become a popular discussion topic.)

comments

ZBA Hearings for Medical Marijuana Dispensary Proposals in Davis Square

2017-01-27T16:09:00Z

Posted by: lancedavisward6.livejournal.com

(EDIT 1-30-17: BOTH dispensary applications have been continued to the Februrary 15th ZBA meeting)

Update on medical marijuana dispensary proposals for Davis Square (one would be in the Family Dollar site, the other would be on the basement level of the bfresh building):

BOTH proposals are scheduled to be heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals on Wednesday, February 1, 6:00 at City Hall (Aldermanic Chambers), though stay tuned because there’s a chance one or both will be continued to a later meeting date. These are Public Hearings so anyone wishing to speak in favor of, or opposition to, either proposal (details below, with links to all plans) will have that opportunity.

( Read more... )

comments

somerville ave parcel

2016-07-28T09:50:00Z

Posted by: lorraine fryer

Does anyone know what's happening with the land on Somerville Ave, where they were talking about putting a new fire station? I haven't seen any updates on it and am intensely curious.

comments

Report on community meeting on Johnny D's redevelopment

2016-05-31T11:14:00Z

Posted by: ron_newman

from a Davis Action Group newsletter that I received today:

During a recent neighborhood meeting, Carla presented revised plans for redeveloping Johnny D's. Most notable is that she will not be demolishing the building, but renovating and building in two phases. The first phase is to renovate the existing structure to support three additional floors and lease 3300 sf of commercial space out as soon as possible. The second phase will be construction of the residential floors which will include 7 units, one which she will live in. She will rent the other 6 units.

Carla hopes to begin construction on phase one in June and to submit to the Zoning Board of Appeals for phase two In June.

She is currently selecting materials for the facade and considers it a building with two faces. The Holland Street side will be more modern and the Winter Street side will fit in with the abutting residential neighborhood.

She is actively seeking potential commercial tenants that will contribute to the vibrancy of the neighborhood and is talks with several potential options.

comments

The Future of Johnny D's - meeting TONIGHT! (Wednesday)

2016-05-25T15:20:00Z

Posted by: pbockelman.livejournal.com

Carla at Johnny D's is holding an information meeting TONIGHT from 6-7:30 at the restaurant. I hope folks can attend. I've attached the notice we received in the U.S. Mail. Can someone attend and take notes and share back to this community (I have another meeting to attend). Thanks.

comments

240 Elm Lane Closure and Night Work

2016-05-24T10:39:00Z

Posted by: lancedavisward6.livejournal.com

The email below the cut was sent to Davis Square business owners late yesterday. There is necessary utility infrastructure work to be done by Eversource in support of the grocery tenant coming in to 240 Elm St. DPW was able to negotiate a schedule that will also allow water main work to be done in the same area, to avoid having to rip up the roadway twice in that spot. Work will begin this evening (5/24/16) at 6:00 PM and is scheduled to be completed by ~~Thursday morning~~Friday by noon.( Read more... )

comments

Former Found and former Boston Bead Company storefronts

2016-05-12T15:22:00Z

Posted by: trtls.livejournal.com

Anyone have information on what's going in where either of these businesses were? (and bets on how long anything new will stay open!) I notice work being done in both.

comments