Union Square Green Line meeting comments, questions, and concerns

During the community meeting, many people asked questions, made comments, and brought up concerns as Green Line station planning begins. All these items were captured and many will be addressed on this site and in future meetings. Our intention is to answer questions that can be answered now, provide information about best practices that people are interested in seeing, supply information…

Continue ReadingUnion Square Green Line meeting comments, questions, and concerns

Union Square Green Line station: the conversation begins!

Thanks to all who came to the community meeting on January 8, hosted by STEP and Union Square Main Streets. Wig Zamore gave a brief history of the Green Line extensions, Lee Auspitz shared the experience of Davis Square when it added a T stop (download case study [PDF]), Mimi Graney guided everyone through more detailed existing conditions in Union Square,…

Continue ReadingUnion Square Green Line station: the conversation begins!

Somerville News: Gentrification concerns?

"This train could change your life" "The expected positive effects of the extension include significant improvements to the city's economy and environment. However, even some supporters of the extension say the new train stops could further the gentrification seen in the west side of the city, price out longtime residents and transform the city's diverse neighborhoods into havens for only the…

Continue ReadingSomerville News: Gentrification concerns?

State transportation bond bill includes Green Line funding!

As promised, Gov. Patrick filed a $2.9 billion transportation bond bill that includes (in addition to many other projects) $700 million for legally mandated projects such as the Green Line extension that are intended to mitigate the environmental impacts of the Big Dig. The State will still seek federal funding for half the cost of the Green Line, but the good news is that the bond bill amount covers the full project cost in case federal funding doesn’t appear. A good day for Somerville!
Boston Herald: “$2.9B eyed for roads, rails”
Boston Globe: “$2.9 billion bond bill would fix bridges, improve mass transit”

(more…)

Continue ReadingState transportation bond bill includes Green Line funding!

Green Line Advisory Group kicks off

Thursday is the first monthly meeting of the Green Line Advisory Group, which will make sure that the Somerville, Medford, and Cambridge communities are involved in the planning, design, and development of this critical project. The meetings are open to the public. Read more about the Advisory Group and the meeting. View the Guidelines for Participation given to Advisory Group members…

Continue ReadingGreen Line Advisory Group kicks off