Somerville High School - map
A mock groundbreaking and demonstration will be held tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Somerville High School before the Green Line Extension public meeting that is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The goal of the mock groundbreaking is to protest the recently announced delays in the target completion date for the Green Line Extension project and to show that the citizens of Somerville, Medford, and Cambridge and their representatives are ready for work to begin now.
All are invited to attend the rally and public hearing that will follow. If you believe that the Green Line Extension needs to be a top priority of the state, I would encourage you to turn out tomorrow and show how shovel-ready our community is.
The Green Line Extension is a legally mandated, desperately needed public transportation project and is part of a commitment that Massachusetts has made to bring a level of environmental justice to communities that have been negatively impacted by the Big Dig. The recent announcement by MassDOT that the Green Line Extension will be delayed 5 years or more past its scheduled 2015 completion date is not acceptable, and has been met by a great deal of resistance from both the public and their elected representatives.
I encourage you to join Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone, State Senator Pat Jehlen, State Representative Denise Provost, myself, and others that will be in attendance for the event. Many community groups from Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, and across Massachusetts will also be in attendance, including the Conservation Law Foundation, Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership, East Cambridge Planning Team, Livable Streets Alliance, MASSPIRG, the Medford Green Line Neighborhood Alliance, and others, many of which have been intimately involved with the Green Line Extension project from the very beginning. It is important that we demonstrate the need for this project to get back on track. I hope to see you there.
Showing posts with label Union Square. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Union Square. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Walking Tour of Union Square with USMS
Union Sq, Somerville map
SOMERVILLE - In light of the zoning changes passed by the Somerville Board of Aldermen and all of the recent discussion surrounding large-scale renovations of Union Square, I took the opportunity to go on a walking tour guided by Union Square Main Streets Director Mimi Graney. Mimi has been closely following the changes happening in Union Square for five years now, and has detailed knowledge of the past, present and future plans for the Square.
Along with the zoning changes, there is also the upcoming Green Line Extension and discussions about a major overhaul in the traffic through the square. On Wednesday, October 21st from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at the Argenziano School at Lincoln Park at 290 Washington Street, there will be a second roadway planning meeting.
Our first stop on the tour was the new Design Annex, a new space right in the center of Union Square where designers can sign up as members to use the space as a creative and collaborative workspace. As she describes it on the USMS website, "the Design Annex includes a co-working space with conference room, lounge with a resource library, shared equipment and ventilated model building studio. It also has a tiered membership structure that offers access to networking and educational programming as well as office and equipment resources. The Design Annex seeks to build a robust network of collaborative, thriving, design-related businesses centered in Union Square."
Mimi showed me around the beautiful new Design Annex at 66-90 Union Square, with opening ceremonies on October 15th at 4pm
The Annex will have a grand opening ceremony on Thursday, October 15th at 4pm, with new members, local designers, representatives from the MA Economic Council, MA Cultural Council, and the Design Industry Group of MA.
Next, we ran into an old friend of mine and local architect Mark Boyes-Watson, who runs his business right near the heart of Union Sq. He was excited to hear about the steps USMS was doing to make Union Square a design hub, and talked with Mimi about how to get more involved.
Myself, local architect Mark Boyes-Watson, and USMS Director Mimi Graney at Mark's Union Sq. office
Mimi showed me the exciting new businesses, the existing unused space, and the proposed locations for future development. Union Square has changed a lot this decade, and part of our conversation was about the steps the community has been taking to encourage a lively and livable modern square without pricing out the longtime businesses and residents. USMS has been very mindful that the industrial sections of the square, among other benefits, play a vital role in making it a hub for artists and designers. Striking the appropriate balance between affordable living and an attractive location for residents and businesses is a major challenge of any neighborhood in transition, and Union Square is no exception.
Along with the bigger picture planning and oversight, Union Square has also been benefiting from city initiatives put forward by the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen. For instance, any business looking to improve their storefront can work with the City to find out if they qualify for the Economic Development Storefront Improvement Program, which offers grants and matching funds to help with awnings, signs, doorway, windows, and lighting renovations. It's a great way to use available tools and funds to help your own business' visibility and keep the square looking its best.
Mimi Graney and the hardworking members and volunteers for USMS have done amazing work bringing together Union Square residents and business owners to think about and plan for the future of their neighborhood. I would encourage anyone who hasn't connected with them yet to sign up for their newsletter or contact USMS at:
Email: usms@unionsquaremain.org
Phone: 617-623-1392 x119
Web: http://www.unionsquaremain.org/
SOMERVILLE - In light of the zoning changes passed by the Somerville Board of Aldermen and all of the recent discussion surrounding large-scale renovations of Union Square, I took the opportunity to go on a walking tour guided by Union Square Main Streets Director Mimi Graney. Mimi has been closely following the changes happening in Union Square for five years now, and has detailed knowledge of the past, present and future plans for the Square.
Along with the zoning changes, there is also the upcoming Green Line Extension and discussions about a major overhaul in the traffic through the square. On Wednesday, October 21st from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at the Argenziano School at Lincoln Park at 290 Washington Street, there will be a second roadway planning meeting.
Our first stop on the tour was the new Design Annex, a new space right in the center of Union Square where designers can sign up as members to use the space as a creative and collaborative workspace. As she describes it on the USMS website, "the Design Annex includes a co-working space with conference room, lounge with a resource library, shared equipment and ventilated model building studio. It also has a tiered membership structure that offers access to networking and educational programming as well as office and equipment resources. The Design Annex seeks to build a robust network of collaborative, thriving, design-related businesses centered in Union Square."
Mimi showed me around the beautiful new Design Annex at 66-90 Union Square, with opening ceremonies on October 15th at 4pm
The Annex will have a grand opening ceremony on Thursday, October 15th at 4pm, with new members, local designers, representatives from the MA Economic Council, MA Cultural Council, and the Design Industry Group of MA.
Next, we ran into an old friend of mine and local architect Mark Boyes-Watson, who runs his business right near the heart of Union Sq. He was excited to hear about the steps USMS was doing to make Union Square a design hub, and talked with Mimi about how to get more involved.
Myself, local architect Mark Boyes-Watson, and USMS Director Mimi Graney at Mark's Union Sq. office
Mimi showed me the exciting new businesses, the existing unused space, and the proposed locations for future development. Union Square has changed a lot this decade, and part of our conversation was about the steps the community has been taking to encourage a lively and livable modern square without pricing out the longtime businesses and residents. USMS has been very mindful that the industrial sections of the square, among other benefits, play a vital role in making it a hub for artists and designers. Striking the appropriate balance between affordable living and an attractive location for residents and businesses is a major challenge of any neighborhood in transition, and Union Square is no exception.
Along with the bigger picture planning and oversight, Union Square has also been benefiting from city initiatives put forward by the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen. For instance, any business looking to improve their storefront can work with the City to find out if they qualify for the Economic Development Storefront Improvement Program, which offers grants and matching funds to help with awnings, signs, doorway, windows, and lighting renovations. It's a great way to use available tools and funds to help your own business' visibility and keep the square looking its best.
Mimi Graney and the hardworking members and volunteers for USMS have done amazing work bringing together Union Square residents and business owners to think about and plan for the future of their neighborhood. I would encourage anyone who hasn't connected with them yet to sign up for their newsletter or contact USMS at:
Email: usms@unionsquaremain.org
Phone: 617-623-1392 x119
Web: http://www.unionsquaremain.org/
Monday, June 1, 2009
Sousa's Market opens near Union Sq. in East Somerville
Sousa's Market
201 Somerville Ave, Somerville map
201 Somerville Ave, Somerville map
Somerville News - "Somerville welcomes new business"
At a time when it seems like too many shops are closing up or jobs are being lost, it was exciting to join Mayor Joe Curtatone, Senator Patricia Jehlen, Alderman Dennis Sullivan, and other members of the community for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Sousa's Market on Somerville Ave, near Union Sq. Sousa's Market will be a family-owned convenience store and market run by long-time resident of Somerville and Cambridge Walter Sousa and the Sousa family.
At a time when it seems like too many shops are closing up or jobs are being lost, it was exciting to join Mayor Joe Curtatone, Senator Patricia Jehlen, Alderman Dennis Sullivan, and other members of the community for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Sousa's Market on Somerville Ave, near Union Sq. Sousa's Market will be a family-owned convenience store and market run by long-time resident of Somerville and Cambridge Walter Sousa and the Sousa family.
Cheryl, Joseph, and Walter Sousa. ~Photo by Bill Tauro
This is the kind of local community business that will help revitalize the local economies across the country and get us back on the right track. I know the Sousa family will work hard, and I wish them all the best of luck!
Walter Sousa was also honored by the Legislature and Governor this month on the 25th annual Day of Portugal celebration at the State House for his contribution to the Portuguese communities of Massachusetts. Full story from the Somerville Journal:
http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/homepage/x702328027/Walter-Sousa-honored-at-25th-annual-Heritage-Day-of-Portugal-event-at-State-House
This is the kind of local community business that will help revitalize the local economies across the country and get us back on the right track. I know the Sousa family will work hard, and I wish them all the best of luck!
Walter Sousa was also honored by the Legislature and Governor this month on the 25th annual Day of Portugal celebration at the State House for his contribution to the Portuguese communities of Massachusetts. Full story from the Somerville Journal:
http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/homepage/x702328027/Walter-Sousa-honored-at-25th-annual-Heritage-Day-of-Portugal-event-at-State-House
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
