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!

Get Informed

Pioneer Institute study on accessory dwelling units The Pioneer Institute has released a study on the state of ADUs, aka "granny flats" or "in-law apartments" in Eastern MA. Their conclusion? Communities across the state should make it a lot easier to build and live in them. As Pioneer Executive Director Jim Stergios puts it, “accessory units are environmentally smart, limited in their traffic impacts and do precious little to change the character of single-family neighborhoods. If we are even slightly serious about increasing the supply of housing, this is a no-brainer.”

Check it out and pass it along!What's up with the Green Line Extension?You can always visit the city's GLX info website, but they'll also be sending people out to various events to answer questions in person. Stop by and have a chat with city staff at these times and locations:

• July 26, 4:30 - 6:30: Drop-in Q&A session in Magoun Square

• August 5, 2:00 - 6:00: SomerStreets on Holland Street

• August 11, 6:00 - 10:00.: Ignite Festival in Union Square

Visit the City's GLX website for more information on the project and other events related to it. 

Events & Meetings

Redevelopment of 124 Highland Ave (American Legion Post 19) Tuesday, July 31, 6:30 p.m. at 124 Highland Ave (enter from Trull Lane)This is the first neighborhood meeting for a redevelopment proposal to convert the American Legion site to housing. The developer currently proposes 17 apartments, and neighbors have already begun to express the usual concerns that it will bring traffic, parking problems, and transient renters into the neighborhood. If you live nearby, please attend this meeting and support housing in the community.Davis Square Neighborhood Plan MeetingThursday, July 31, 6:00 p.m. at Community Baptist Church, 31 College AveDavis Square is one of the areas targeted for enhancement (rather than preservation or transformation) in the city's long-term plan. Learn what that means, and provide feedback, at this event.Union Square Block D2 Site WalkThursday, August 2, 5:00 p.m., 26 Prospect St. The first block of the Union Square redevelopment is D2, the gravel field at the corner of Prospect St. and Somerville Ave. The project is currently in environmental review by the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency (MEPA). Take a tour of the site and learn about the current plans, the MEPA review process, and more. The tour begins at 26 Prospect St. and will be followed by a discussion at the Public Safety Building, 220 Washington St. Somerville YIMBY General MeetingThursday, August 16 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at 294 Summer St.Jeff Byrnes will host this open meeting of Somerville YIMBY members and friends as we talk about zoning reform and other upcoming issues.

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