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Parking in Somerville |
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Want a free dinner at the Independent? Take part in a quick
survey and you could win a $35 gift certificate.
Neil Rosenblatt, a student at Harvard University is working
with Union Square Main Streets and the City of Somerville's
Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development to
develop creative strategies to cope with parking demands. This
survey is part of his study.
Take the 2-minute anonymous survey and be eligible to win.
Drawing is May 15.
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Blooming and Ready for Spring |
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From McGrath Highway to Dane Street, from the corner of
Prospect and Webster to Prospect Hill, the trash and winter
debris was swept away. In flower planters throughout Union
Square annual plants were carefully placed and watered. On
Saturday, April 28 more than 60 volunteers transformed every
block of the neighborhood.
The efforts of Union Square Main Streets were duplicated all
over Somerville as City Hall recruited and coordinated teams in
every ward. Alderman Maryann Heuston and School Committee
Chairperson Teresa Cardoso were part of a city sponsored team
that addressed the corner of Prospect and Somerville Avenue,
while other teams of Union Square Main Streets spread out. Teams
from Shaw's Supermarkets, US Airways, Single Volunteers of
Boston, Volunteer Match and Harvard Law School joined residents
and others in the effort.
Tags Hardware in Porter Square generously donated supplies
while the Somerville's Department of Public Works loaned us
more. Ricky's Flower Market provided flats of annual flowers.
At the close of work volunteers were treated to lunch kindly
provided by Taqueria la Mexicana and Subway.
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Three of more the than 60 volunteers who cleaned up Union
Square last Saturday haul away bags of debris.
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Artist Susan Charbonneau also installed her mural on the
fence behind SCAT and opposite Ricky's Flower Market. Her design
was selected by the USMS Design Committee among submissions. The
bright design of birds flying among flowers and vines enlivens
the stretch of sidewalk.
The mural was sponsored by The Independent, Union Square
Chiropractic, Taqueria La Mexicana, Ricky's Flower Market, Vango
Convenience, Kimo Griggs Architects and Union Square Pizzeria.
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Local Artists in Open Studios May 6 & 7 |
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The Eighth Annual Somerville Open Studios (SOS) on Saturday
May 6 & Sunday May 7 includes more than 300 artists all over
Somerville. Many Union Square artists, businesses and studio
buildings will participate in this event. From 12pm-6pm on both
days you can check out mosaic artist Lorie Reilly and fabric
artist Nicole Donson, who work out of the
Washington Street Art Center (321 Washington Street),
Beadventurous Jewelry (285 Washington Street), a dozen
artists at
Joy Street Studios (86 Joy Street), and fine artist Jesa
Damora at her Columbus Street studio.
Community Builders Cooperative on Webster Street will also
be open for the weekend.
Maps of the event, complete with artist names, media and
locations, are available at Sherman Café (257 Washington Street)
and at the link below.
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MetroFuture Presented Predictions |
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MetroFuture visited Sherman Cafe on Tuesday, April 25 and
presented their projections for the greater Boston area if
present trends continue.
MetroFuture is the Metropolitan Area Planning Council's (MAPC)
initiative to update MetroPlan, the agency's 1990 regional
roadmap. This large-scale participatory initiative seeks to
develop a vision for the Metro Boston region’s future and a
strategy to get there. The project uses public participation,
data analysis and cutting-edge technologies to best inform and
involve individuals across the region in this collaborative
decision-making process.
Miss the presentation but want the info? Click
here for the Powerpoint presentation with notes.
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Help for Stalled Entrepreneurs |
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Maybe you've burned through all your capital funds, replaced
the VP of Sales three times, added seventeen more features that
each round of salespeople you hired (and fired) insisted their
prospects must have before they would buy-- then didn't. Now
what? At Babson College on Thursday, May 11th at 6 pm
hear true stories from successful entrepreneurs about how they
responded to "Now What?"
The panel features Jackie Bassett, Founder and CEO of BT
Industrials, Inc and author of "So You Built It and They Didn't
Come. Now What?" and Maggie Wells, CEO, of Homeportfolio.com.
Thursday, May 11 Babson College Olin Auditorium 6:00 p.m. So
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Pilates Day to Nunziato Field |
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Ever wanted to try Pilates, the exercise program developed to
improve flexibility and core strength? Atelier Pilates will
conduct outdoor Pilates classes at Nunziato Field on Summer
Street on Saturday, May 6 from 4:30-6:30.
The class is in celebration of international Pilates Day.
Donations for the class support efforts to bring pilates
education to public schools.
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Become a Member of Union Square Main Streets |
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Union Square Main Streets, a non-profit organization, is a
partnership of local businesses, residents and the City of
Somerville to enhance the Union Square business district
through active community collaboration. Become involved in
making Union Square a more vibrant neighborhood.
Join us for an upcoming event, participate in one of our
committees and become a member.
Memberships are $50 for Union Square businesses and $25
for residents and general supporters. Members receive: Free
"Attracting Attention" Discount Card providing discounts
with Union Square businesses; Tokens to spend at the Union
Square Farmers market; Invitations to Special Events and
Reduced Costs for USMS Programs; Recognition for Business
Members in USMS materials.
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Urban Land Institute Issues Report on Union Square
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The Urban Land Institute has issued its report on Union Square.
Last December, at the request of Union Square Main Streets, a
Technical Assistance Panel from this international organization
of planners, architects, and developers spent a full day
evaluating the possibilities for the eastern end of Union
Square.
The ULI team looked at the three municipal parcels in and
abutting the Central Business District that present a
once-in-a-generation opportunity for development. Through wise
use of these blocks we hope to spur economic revitalization that
could resonate throughout the district. The close relationship
of the Public Safety Building, the Old Firehouse (SCAT Building)
and Kiley Barrel sites in the commercial district provide for
“downtown” planning on a scale larger than typically available
in our densely populated city.
The ULI report details their recommendations on the kind of
development that could both spur economic revitalization and
attract investment and suggests strategies for achieving this
vision.
Read the ULI Report |
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