Join us for a conversation about possible paths towards the redevelopment of the Star Market Site in Winter Hill. Should we wait for a private developer or take a more active approach? Staff will share some options and hear your feedback.
Wednesday, June 19 at 6 pm
Healey School
5 Meacham St, Somerville, MA
Interpretation in Portuguese will be provided. Spanish and Haitian Creole interpretation provided upon request. Questions? Contact Lauren Drago at LDrago@Somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2515
its been an eyesore for over 10 years… drunks still sleep on the
broken bench… 1967… brand new.. there was a brighams next to
star and the now walgreens was a turn-style department store
The city/state has the right of eminent domain. (granted by the us constitution. can’t get more American than that.) If the property is vacant, the owners aren’t doing anything to improve it, and the city perceives a legitimate governmental need, they have the right to buy it off the owners at a fair market price.
Is there a legitimate need? Maybe. Affordable housing is in short supply. So is affordable commercial/industrial space. If there is a potential tenant that will develop the property with that in mind, the city has a right to go for it.
It’s the city’s fault it is vacant. The owner just happens to have the means to fight the city. The city wants one of those stupid looking buildings like they have across the way. So they stand int he way of anything the landlord wants to do. There was a rumor a short while back that something is about to happen, but then it was only a rumor. I also want something to happen there but not at the cost of taking ones liberties away. Which this administration has no problem doing.
its and eyesore and a blight to winter hill. It’s been over 10 years since the Star Market closed. The city needs to do something.
Makes one wonder what is really going on behind the scenes. You want to talk about a blight; take a good look at the burned out laundramat further down the road on Broadway!
Nothing to discuss, It is private property. As long as the owner takes care of the property the city should mind it’s own business. This is still America.
Exactly my thoughts; however, this is Somerville!!!!
Do you really feel the owner is “taking care” of this property? If your next-door neighbor allowed his or her house to sit vacant — slowly falling apart and attracting crime, negatively impacting your quality of life and the value of your home for well over a decade — would you be so “hands off” in your assessment?
Well said Chris!!!!!!
What is meant by a more active approach?