Dear Billy T and Somerville News Weekly Speakup Line,
The city is trying to close off the Medford Street Bridge permanently for a pedestrian, cyclist path that will be closed of to motor vehicle traffic all together. When is enough enough?
Read the city’s plan below:
Gilman Square Plan Implementation
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Photo from July 2019 Gilman Square meeting.
The Gilman Square Station Area Plan(External link) was finalized in February of 2014. Since then, a lot has changed: the Green Line station design has evolved, we have received better information about the subsurface infrastructure that affects the intersection design, and the Somerville Zoning Overhaul(External link) has everyone thinking about zoning.
In addition, the Gilman Square Neighborhood Association (GSNA) formed in 2018. This group of residents and business owners meets regularly and hosts block parties, neighborly gatherings, and advocates for the neighborhood. In 2019, GSNA and the City signed an agreement to work collaboratively on the implementation of the neighborhood plan in Gilman Square. Since then, GSNA and the City have co-hosted community events together, discussed proposed developments in the area, and planned for future development projects like the Homans Building.
Now, GSNA and the City are working together to implement the neighborhood plan. We’re strategizing around important sites like the Homans Building and working together to ensure we get broad participation in creating the future of Gilman Square.
Happening Now: Street Intersection & Streetscape Improvement Design
The City is currently working with a consultant to explore different designs for Gilman Square intersections and streetscape. This is an important next step in the implementation of the Gilman Square Neighborhood Plan because it will identify where public space can be located and affect the shape of parcels which could be used for redevelopment.
We are currently gathering feedback about two initial concepts. We held a public meeting on February 12 (thank you to all who attended!) and you can see the slides here. Community members are still welcome to submit their feedback online below at the Survey & Forms tab until February 23.
After February 23, the City’s consultants will:
Conduct traffic analysis to determine how possible changes to the roadway will affect vehicular traffic.
Tweak the concepts based on feedback and the results of the traffic study.
By June, the City will have a “25% design” (a concept that is well-researched and reflects community feedback but is not the full technical document set necessary to begin construction). At this time, we will have a public meeting to share this design. Now is the time to to weigh in! We are gathering feedback at the Surveys & Forms tab below until February 23.