Somerville Journal: "Somerville receives federal grant to study air pollution near I-93 homes" "STEP is very enthusiastic to be a partner for this study," said STEP President Ellin Reisner. "For the past year, we have worked as a community partner with Tufts University studying UFP exposure of residents in East Somerville living near I-93. This study provides our community with a…
Topics included the new maintenance facility location, STEP's financial status and governance, and the CCP station design workshops. Meeting notes (PDF)
Today MassDOT announced that it is supporting Option L as the location for the much-debated maintenance facility, happily changing its mind from the Yard 8 location it previously supported. STEP applauds this decision for many reasons, including creating a more livable environment for Brickbottom residents as well as more opportunities for Inner Belt development.
“This is a momentous decision for the City of Somerville,” said Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “Not only does the decision about where to locate the Green Line maintenance facility ensure that the Green Line expansion into Somerville remains on its 2014 timeline, the chosen location creates the opportunity for significant redevelopment inside the city’s industrial Inner Belt. Best of all, this will help preserve the quality of life for nearby residents, notably those in the Brickbottom artist lofts.”
Keep reading for more maps and details.
The Green Line Community Corridor Planning Project invites you to brainstorm how the stations of the Green Line Extension through Somerville will integrate into our neighborhoods. Friday, May 21, 6-8:30 pm: Brief Green Line update and overview of workshop process and goals Saturday, May 22, 1-5 pm: Roll up your sleeves and be creative Wednesday, June 2, 6-8:30 pm: Presentation of…
Somerville News: "Let's repeat a 20-year transportation success in Somerville" Given the widespread agreement about the benefits of linking green space, active transportation and pubic transportation, it does not make any sense to Somerville residents that MassDOT continues to resist combining construction of the Somerville Community Path from the planned Lowell Street Station and along the Green Line Extension corridor to…
Somerville News: "Major construction begins this month in Somerville at Assembly Square " Construction on Assembly Square Drive - "the spine of the project" - will begin this month and be completed by early next year. Construction of an Orange Line train station begins next year. In addition, state officials released $10 million in funding to support roadway improvements that will…
If you care about land use and how the new Green Line stations will integrate into Somerville neighborhoods, come to one or more workshops run by MassDOT. These workshops will focus on areas around the planned stations, while future workshops will focus on the stations themselves. See the events listing for details.
Dedham Transcript: "Capuano, Jackson join labor in push for transit funding change" Joined by Rev. Jesse Jackson, U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano highlighted a proposal he's cosponsoring that would permit public transportation systems in urban regions with more than 200,000 residents to use federal dollars for operating costs. Unfortunately, he also said, "It doesn't make sense to build a shiny new Green…
Topics included the National Institute of Environmental Health Conference, Community Corridor Project charrettes, and Maintenance facility land use and design. Meeting notes (PDF)
The Final Environmental Impact Report shows that the Orange Line station will have a second entrance/exit that routes travelers right to Ikea. Thanks to feedback from disability experts, the station has “simpler lines of sight, and it will be easier to get in and out,” Wig Zamore said.
Somerville Journal: “Assembly Square footprint unveiled”