Hello YIMBYs! Here are some great ways to get involved in helping our community create housing and prevent displacement. For a more complete list of community events and meetings, check out our Google calendar!

Support the Union Square T Station

Union Square redevelopment is almost ready to put shovels in the ground, and it's time to review the environmental remediation plans and impact statements for the first phase of the project: building homes, offices, and the main public gateway to the MBTA Green Line station. This part of the project is on block D2, which is the empty lot across Prospect Street from Somerville Crossfit.

Before construction can begin, the project needs to complete the state environmental review process, and the developer wants to get started on that right away. To do that, they need what's called an “expedited review” or a “Phase 1 Waiver.” You should know that this does not mean skipping any part of the review or any of the work to remediate the site. The request is for permission to do the environmental review on block D2 before the other 6 parcels. The review process for 7 parcels is, obviously, a lot longer than the process for just one, and delaying the review could delay both the Somerville Avenue sewer project and the full operation of the Union Square MBTA station.

That's where we need your help: We need you to tell Alex Strysky, the state Environmental Analyst in charge of this project, that you support the project and its environmental benefits, and want the state to start environmental review right away. Your comments should focus on the environmental benefits of the project, including:

• It’s exactly the sort of transit-oriented development that we, the city and the state want.

• The buildings on the site will be LEED Gold certified.

• Construction begins with site remediation, which is better than letting the existing contaminants just sit there.

• The project meshes with the sewer and water improvements to reduce water contamination.

• It will help the T station open on time.

• The project includes bike lanes and lots of bike parking.

Please send your comments to Alex Strysky at [email protected]. Thanks for your help!

Somerville YIMBY General Meeting

We’re meeting at Aeronaut Brewing!

Join us tomorrow evening for our next general meeting!

Thursday, August 16, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.Aeronaut Brewing, 14 Tyler St.

We’ll discuss Clarendon Hill, some new & ongoing projects we’ve been advocating for, and look forward to the zoning reform efforts in the fall.

This is an open meeting, and all are welcome.

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