SOMERVILLE – The next phase of the City’s Somerville by Design community planning process in Davis Square will take place Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Center for Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. The meeting will be structured as an open house-style plan presentation to allow participants to get an in-depth understanding and discussion of the topics they care most about. The open house structure is informed by community feedback during the City’s May 21 Crowdsourcing Event, two Visioning Sessions held July 17 and July 30, and a three-day, 36-hour public Design Charrette held Sept. 9, 10 and 11.
Somerville by Design is a cutting-edge approach to community planning that uses resident know-how to solve challenging physical planning and urban design issues. It makes planning fun, using highly visual, interactive techniques such as “Open Studio” design sessions, neighborhood meetings, block walking and online surveys. Most importantly, it provides multiple ways for the public to get involved in generating and refining physical design plans that are driven by community members’ preferences and creative ideas. In 2012, hundreds of residents and businesspersons participated in the Somerville by Design “Station Area Planning Series” for Gilman Square, Lowell Street / Magoun Square, and Ball Square neighborhoods that will soon be served by the Green Line Extension.
If you would like more information, or cannot attend the meeting but would like to provide input, please contact Brad Rawson at BRawson@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext 2518. Additional information is available on the City of Somerville website at http://www.somervillebydesign.com.