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Mayor Curtatone, Senator Patricia Jehlen, Representative Tim Toomey and
Aldermen Walter Pero & William Roche Host Assembly Square Land
Swap
Discussion
June 4, 2008
Somerville Mayor Curtatone, Senator Patricia Jehlen,
Representative Tim Toomey and Aldermen Walter Pero & William
Roche
invite interested neighbors to a public meeting about the land swap at
Assembly Square, which is part of the planned mixed-use development
project. The on-site meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17th at
6:30 PM on the DCR pathway across from the Christmas Tree Shops at
Assembly Square. In case on inclement weather a tent will be provided.
The meeting will center on a Federal Realty Investment
Trust
presentation of the proposed land swap at Assembly Square and
development plans for the parcel. The real estate group will discuss
access to Draw 7 Park, as well as proposals for easements and a land
exchange with DCR. This exchange will swap a parcel of land currently
owned by DCR for a slightly larger strip of land along the river that
FRIT will develop into parkland for DCR. Legislation to facilitate this
exchange is currently before the legislature. Neighbors and members of
the Somerville community are invited to come and learn about this
process and to hear Federal Realty’s plans for community
investment and mitigation measures. Attendees will be given an
opportunity to ask questions and share any concerns they may have.
"Assembly Square is the most dynamic and exciting
smart-growth development project on the east coast," Mayor Curtatone
said. "This project has been strengthened by the continuing input of
neighbors and the broader Somerville community. This is another
important opportunity for residents to hear an update on the project
and proposed mitigation and to provide their thoughts and feedback as
the developers move forward. I look forward to this constructive
conversation."
Senator Patricia Jehlen lauded the planned
get-together,
saying, "The entire Somerville delegation has been working to ensure
that the development at Assembly Square be a positive, well-integrated
addition to the neighborhood. This meeting provides an outstanding
opportunity to get developers and Somerville residents on the same page
as we move forward."
"The City of Somerville stands to gain a lot from this
very
exciting project," said Rep. Tim Toomey. "I encourage interested
residents to take advantage of this great chance to learn more about
the development and to engage in a productive dialogue with the
developers and their elected officials."
Ward 1 Alderman William Roche also noted the
importance of
the meeting, "Public participation has been and will continue to be key
to the future of the Assembly Square project. I hope to see not only
residents from Ward 1 but from the broader community on the 17th."
"This project has the potential to affect the lives of
residents across our city and our region," said Ward 4 Alderman Walter
Pero. "The developers have shown they are willing to listen and
incorporate public input into this project and I expect the upcoming
meeting to be beneficial for all invested parties."
RESIDENTS,
VOLUNTEERS BRAVE RAIN TO ‘CLEAN UP’ SOMERVILLE
May 06, 2008
Volunteers from Ward 7, including Alderman Bob Trane
(far left), Recreation Superintendent Jim Halloran (second from left),
and School Committee Representative Mary Jo Rossetti (far right) join
in the citywide Spring Cleanup efforts over the weekend. Over 100
volunteers participated in the cleanup, despite inclement weather.
Teams gathered at locations throughout the city, including the Union
Square plaza and Argenziano School in Ward 2, Community Path and
Kennedy Elementary School in Ward 5, and in Davis Square. Following the
cleanup, volunteers gathered for a community barbeque and environmental
fair – the SomerGreen Festival, hosted by Groundwork
Somerville – at Nunziato Field and the Community Growing
Center. Businesses contributing to this year’s cleanup effort
included Comcast, Dunkin Donuts, Federal Realty Investment Trust,
Market Basket, McKinnon’s Market, Redbones, Shaw’s
Supermarkets, Stop & Shop and Target.
Mayor Curtatone and a community volunteer clean up the Community Path,
and admire the first of many new identifying park signs to be erected
throughout the City.
Click here
to read the full article.
Curtatone says
new development will save Somerville
Wed Apr 30, 2008, 08:21 AM EDT
Tight economic times are ahead for Somerville, but that just means
doing more with less.
That’s what Mayor Joe Curtatone told the
audience at Tuesday’s third Chamber of Commerce Business Town
Meeting, at the Somerville Theater on April 29.
“One of the challenges is, you move forward
with a limited budget?” Curtatone asked. “How do
you identify opportunity? I don’t think you hunker down in a
corner and wait for better times.”
The mayor said the best opportunity for the city to
make some money will be in tax revenue from new development, both
commercial and residential.
Click here
to read the full article.
1. The 10TH ANNUAL SOMERVILLE OPEN STUDIOS:
Saturday & Sunday, May 3rd & May 4th, 2008
On Saturday May 3rd and Sunday May 4th, Federal
Realty Investment Trust was a major sponsor of Somerville Open
Studio's. FRIT provided trolley tours to local artist homes and offices
throughout Somerville from noon-6:00 PM. During this free showcase for
the arts, mid-career and emerging artists working across a broad
spectrum of fine art styles and craft media – including
painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, glass, fiber, jewelry,
furniture and ceramics – exhibited their work to the public.
Click here
for full article
Check out pictures from the event here.
2. Somerville’s City Wide
Clean-Up:
Saturday, May 3rd, 2008
Federal Realty supported the Mayor's City Wide clean up by donating
trash bags, paper towels, gloves and other supplies to six Somerville
schools. Additionally FRIT employees joined Somerville residents, Mayor
Joe Curatone and other local businesses for the clean-up on Saturday
and the post clean-up BBQ.
Click here
for full article
3. Mystic River Watershed
Association’s (MyRWA)Mystic River Herring Run:
Saturday, May 19th, 2008
“Race for the River” 11th Annual Mystic Herring Run
5K Race, Walk, & Paddle Saturday May 19th, 2008
On Saturday, May 19th Federal Realty was a sponsor and participated in
the Mystic River Herring Run which gave over 700 people that
opportunity to run, walk, bike, canoe, kayak or paddle on or along the
river. All race proceeds benefited the MyRWA’s mission to
clean up our waters – making them all fishable and swimmable.
MyRWA accomplishes this goal by finding places where sewage leaks into
streams from broken pipes or where forgotten outlets discharge toxins
into the rivers and then stopping that pollution. The success of the
program thus far has been remarkable.
4. Somerville Walk/Ride Initiative:
May 30th, June 27th, July 25th, August 29th and September 26th, 2008
Assembly Square teamed with the City of Somerville and the Green Street
Initiative to sponsor Somerville’s Walk/Ride Days. The Green
Streets Initiative celebrates, promotes, and advocates for the use of
alternative transportation in Somerville. On the last Friday of every
month, citizens are encouraged to go green and wear green to work and
school. The vision of Walk/Ride Days is to create a monthly city-wide
party, which celebrates alternative transportation, gives people an
opportunity to make community connections, and promotes a festive local
atmosphere. Join us in participating in this cause by using alternative
forms of transportation May 30th, June 27th, July 25th, August 29th and
September 26th.
Click here
for full article
