Critical Moment for Somerville’s Union Square
This is an absolutely critical moment for the future of Union Square. Union United had a powerful turnout at two public hearings this month.*
At each, the people of Somerville demonstrated that they will not accept development without a true community benefits agreement that ensures good jobs, support for local businesses, community space and other critical needs.
At a March 7 hearing on Union Square zoning, over 30 people told the Board of Aldermen that developer US2 needs to commit to a CBA before any new zoning is passed. If US2 wants the development to move forward, they need to show us they are willing to treat the community as a partner.
Act Now: What You Can Do
Send written comments on zoning through Friday, 3/31
to planning@somervillema.gov and
cityclerk@somervillema.gov.You can also attend a training on Saturday, March 25, 2017. Learn more.
The following day, the Somerville Redevelopment Authority met to discuss the sale of the development parcels to US2. We want to thank the seven aldermen who stood up for the community and asked the SRA to delay the vote: Katjana Ballantyne, Lance Davis, Maryann Heuston, Matt McLaughlin, Mary Jo Rossetti, Dennis Sullivan and Bill White. Twenty community members also showed up to make that demand, and the SRA decided to delay the vote until April 27.
To learn more about community benefits agreements, check out this video by Union United member Alex Ezorsky.
For more information about how to get involved in Union United, contact Karen Narefsky.
* March 2017
photo credit: Wicked Local Somerville