City of Somerville Community Transformation Channeling the forces of change in a  positive direction for your community Joseph A. Curtatone, Mayor Harvard Kennedy School Presentation September 2010
Preparing for the Future Change will happen – question is how to channel it is positive direction  Know where you came from and where you are today (a.k.a. trends) Determine what trends you like and what you don’t; identify strengths to build on and weaknesses to reduce Set clear vision for what want in the future – include lots of community involvement (a.k.a. comprehensive plan / general plan) Implement the vision – don’t compromise the plan
Change will happen
1.  The Inevitability of Change Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine. (Robert C. Gallagher) Change is inevitable. Change is constant. (Benjamin Disraeli) Everything will  change . The only question is growing up or decaying. ... Everything will  change . (Nikki Giovanni)
Know where you came from and where you are today
2.  Know where you came from Transit Built Somerville Built as a trolley suburb of Boston Primarily two and three family dwellings Largely built out by the early 1900s – before zoning established Minimal land set aside for parks Today, the most densely populated cities in New England (nearly 78,000 in 4.1 square miles); 5 th  densest in the nation! Diverse population with mix of incomes West Somerville Street Car Davis Square (1910)
Mayor Joseph A Curtatone Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development Somerville’s Population History
 
Jobs in Boston Metro Region Change in Real Wage Somerville has less than 0.5 jobs per resident in the workforce.  In contrast, Cambridge has two.
Road Length per Land Area Car Share Membership
Transit Ridership to Work Even with only one transit station and terrible on-time bus performance, 30% of Somerville residents use public transit for their daily commute
Determine the trends you like and those you don’t  (strengths / weaknesses)
Positive Trend toward improved Transportation Infrastructure Rail and Roads (today) Boston & Lowell Boston & Fitchburg  Boston & Maine Route 28  I-93 BET Railroads Crossed the City McGrath Highway Rail and Roads (future) Green Line Extension Orange Line Station at Assembly Square Urban Ring Community Path Extension Union Square Transportation Study Bike Routes (Broadway, Somerville Ave, Union Square)
Transformative Nature of Transit   85% of Somerville will be within ½ mile of transit  Reconnect neighborhoods Promote local job creation Access for residents to job centers Catalyst for sustainable land transformation
Somerville: Transit & Transformation Special thanks to our graphics providers: FRIT, CBT/Greenberg, EOT, Reconnecting America, and the Community Design Resource Center Wholesale Transformation Substantial Redevelopment Strategic Investment Residential Preservation
Additional Strengths Significant community engagement / volunteerism High education level and creativity among residents; entrepreneurial spirit Strong demand for transit and bicycle and pedestrian facilities  Strong core of creative industry (architects, gamers, media) Growing interest in sustainable living  (shop local, energy) Strong street grid and urban form; interesting architecture and history Sizeable opportunity areas in eastern Somerville near future Green Line stations
Additional Weaknesses Increasing gentrification – less affordable to middle class and poor Declining number of senior citizens Reduction in families and youth High wage jobs moving from Boston directly to suburbs Limited commercial construction affects tax base  Auto is still dominant mode of transportation
Set a clear vision for the future
Creating a Plan for Somerville   What is a Comprehensive Plan? Core Components: Goals & Policies Land Use Plan Housing Economic Development Open Space & Recreation Natural & Cultural Resources Services & Facilities Circulation & Transportation Implementation A vision of what a community wants to become and the steps needed to achieve that vision.  Rooted in factual current and historical data. Requires cornerstone components, established in Massachusetts General Law. Includes an extensive process of community involvement that will shape the Plan and put it into action. The Comprehensive Plan: Analysis of Trends Vision for the Future Guidance/Direction/Protection
 
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
In Somerville,  We : Value  the  diversity  of our people, cultures, housing, and economy. Foster  the unique character of our residents, neighborhoods, hills and squares, and the strength of our  community  spirit as expressed in our history, our cultural and social life, and our deep sense of civic engagement. Invest  in the growth of a resilient  economic base  that is centered around transit, generates a wide variety of job opportunities, creates an active daytime population, supports independent local businesses, and secures fiscal self-sufficiency. Promote  a dynamic urban streetscape that embraces public transportation, reduces dependence on the automobile, and is  accessible , inviting and safe for all pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders. Build  a  sustainable  future through strong environmental leadership, balanced transportation modes, engaging recreational and community spaces, exceptional schools and educational opportunities, improved community health, varied and affordable housing options, and effective stewardship of our natural resources.  Commit  to continued  innovation  and affirm our responsibility to current and future generations in all of our endeavors: business, technology, education, arts, and government.
5.  Implement the vision
Assembly Row New Orange Line Station leverages 2,100 Residential Units 1.75 M Square Feet of Office 1.07 M Square Feet of Retail
Green Line & Inner Belt/Brickbottom  - 117 acres CBT/Greenberg Scoping Study 3 M Square Feet of Office 2.5 M Square Feet of Lab 200,000 Square Feet of Retail 3,000 Residential Units Public Open Space / Community Path 7 to 10+ M Square Feet  Development Opportunity
Somerville in Action   Union Square Rezoning Transit Oriented Development  Green building incentives  Reduced parking requirements Increased height and FAR Design Guidelines  Pedestrian Oriented Uses  Streamlined approach to permitting
Red Line & Davis Square   Community Path at Davis Square In 1997, Davis Square was listed by the Utne Reader as one of the fifteen "hippest places to live" in the United States Red Line Station in center of square Regional destination for living, dining, shopping  Within walking distance to two universities Somerville Community Bike Path  Significant private investment Hotel RFP underway New 3 story retail-office building 66,000 sf. office building sold for nearly $20M Loft units selling for up to $1M Davis Square by Night
More on the concept of Change Resistance to I have a resistance to  change  in things that I feel comfortable with and that I'm used to. (Dennis Quaid) People always fear change. People feared electricity when it was invented, didn't they? People feared coal, they feared gas-powered engines... There will always be ignorance, and ignorance leads to fear. (Bill Gates) Change  is tough, people don't like it, but it is necessary. Take two aspirins and call me in the morning. (Christopher Bond) Projecting Change We always overestimate the  change  that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the  change  that will occur in the next ten. (Bill Gates)

2 Ospcd

  • 1.
    City of SomervilleCommunity Transformation Channeling the forces of change in a positive direction for your community Joseph A. Curtatone, Mayor Harvard Kennedy School Presentation September 2010
  • 2.
    Preparing for theFuture Change will happen – question is how to channel it is positive direction Know where you came from and where you are today (a.k.a. trends) Determine what trends you like and what you don’t; identify strengths to build on and weaknesses to reduce Set clear vision for what want in the future – include lots of community involvement (a.k.a. comprehensive plan / general plan) Implement the vision – don’t compromise the plan
  • 3.
  • 4.
    1. TheInevitability of Change Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine. (Robert C. Gallagher) Change is inevitable. Change is constant. (Benjamin Disraeli) Everything will change . The only question is growing up or decaying. ... Everything will change . (Nikki Giovanni)
  • 5.
    Know where youcame from and where you are today
  • 6.
    2. Knowwhere you came from Transit Built Somerville Built as a trolley suburb of Boston Primarily two and three family dwellings Largely built out by the early 1900s – before zoning established Minimal land set aside for parks Today, the most densely populated cities in New England (nearly 78,000 in 4.1 square miles); 5 th densest in the nation! Diverse population with mix of incomes West Somerville Street Car Davis Square (1910)
  • 7.
    Mayor Joseph ACurtatone Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development Somerville’s Population History
  • 8.
  • 9.
    Jobs in BostonMetro Region Change in Real Wage Somerville has less than 0.5 jobs per resident in the workforce. In contrast, Cambridge has two.
  • 10.
    Road Length perLand Area Car Share Membership
  • 11.
    Transit Ridership toWork Even with only one transit station and terrible on-time bus performance, 30% of Somerville residents use public transit for their daily commute
  • 12.
    Determine the trendsyou like and those you don’t (strengths / weaknesses)
  • 13.
    Positive Trend towardimproved Transportation Infrastructure Rail and Roads (today) Boston & Lowell Boston & Fitchburg Boston & Maine Route 28 I-93 BET Railroads Crossed the City McGrath Highway Rail and Roads (future) Green Line Extension Orange Line Station at Assembly Square Urban Ring Community Path Extension Union Square Transportation Study Bike Routes (Broadway, Somerville Ave, Union Square)
  • 14.
    Transformative Nature ofTransit 85% of Somerville will be within ½ mile of transit Reconnect neighborhoods Promote local job creation Access for residents to job centers Catalyst for sustainable land transformation
  • 15.
    Somerville: Transit &Transformation Special thanks to our graphics providers: FRIT, CBT/Greenberg, EOT, Reconnecting America, and the Community Design Resource Center Wholesale Transformation Substantial Redevelopment Strategic Investment Residential Preservation
  • 16.
    Additional Strengths Significantcommunity engagement / volunteerism High education level and creativity among residents; entrepreneurial spirit Strong demand for transit and bicycle and pedestrian facilities Strong core of creative industry (architects, gamers, media) Growing interest in sustainable living (shop local, energy) Strong street grid and urban form; interesting architecture and history Sizeable opportunity areas in eastern Somerville near future Green Line stations
  • 17.
    Additional Weaknesses Increasinggentrification – less affordable to middle class and poor Declining number of senior citizens Reduction in families and youth High wage jobs moving from Boston directly to suburbs Limited commercial construction affects tax base Auto is still dominant mode of transportation
  • 18.
    Set a clearvision for the future
  • 19.
    Creating a Planfor Somerville What is a Comprehensive Plan? Core Components: Goals & Policies Land Use Plan Housing Economic Development Open Space & Recreation Natural & Cultural Resources Services & Facilities Circulation & Transportation Implementation A vision of what a community wants to become and the steps needed to achieve that vision. Rooted in factual current and historical data. Requires cornerstone components, established in Massachusetts General Law. Includes an extensive process of community involvement that will shape the Plan and put it into action. The Comprehensive Plan: Analysis of Trends Vision for the Future Guidance/Direction/Protection
  • 20.
  • 21.
  • 22.
    In Somerville, We : Value the diversity of our people, cultures, housing, and economy. Foster the unique character of our residents, neighborhoods, hills and squares, and the strength of our community spirit as expressed in our history, our cultural and social life, and our deep sense of civic engagement. Invest in the growth of a resilient economic base that is centered around transit, generates a wide variety of job opportunities, creates an active daytime population, supports independent local businesses, and secures fiscal self-sufficiency. Promote a dynamic urban streetscape that embraces public transportation, reduces dependence on the automobile, and is accessible , inviting and safe for all pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders. Build a sustainable future through strong environmental leadership, balanced transportation modes, engaging recreational and community spaces, exceptional schools and educational opportunities, improved community health, varied and affordable housing options, and effective stewardship of our natural resources. Commit to continued innovation and affirm our responsibility to current and future generations in all of our endeavors: business, technology, education, arts, and government.
  • 23.
    5. Implementthe vision
  • 24.
    Assembly Row NewOrange Line Station leverages 2,100 Residential Units 1.75 M Square Feet of Office 1.07 M Square Feet of Retail
  • 25.
    Green Line &Inner Belt/Brickbottom - 117 acres CBT/Greenberg Scoping Study 3 M Square Feet of Office 2.5 M Square Feet of Lab 200,000 Square Feet of Retail 3,000 Residential Units Public Open Space / Community Path 7 to 10+ M Square Feet Development Opportunity
  • 26.
    Somerville in Action Union Square Rezoning Transit Oriented Development Green building incentives Reduced parking requirements Increased height and FAR Design Guidelines Pedestrian Oriented Uses Streamlined approach to permitting
  • 27.
    Red Line &Davis Square Community Path at Davis Square In 1997, Davis Square was listed by the Utne Reader as one of the fifteen "hippest places to live" in the United States Red Line Station in center of square Regional destination for living, dining, shopping Within walking distance to two universities Somerville Community Bike Path Significant private investment Hotel RFP underway New 3 story retail-office building 66,000 sf. office building sold for nearly $20M Loft units selling for up to $1M Davis Square by Night
  • 28.
    More on theconcept of Change Resistance to I have a resistance to change in things that I feel comfortable with and that I'm used to. (Dennis Quaid) People always fear change. People feared electricity when it was invented, didn't they? People feared coal, they feared gas-powered engines... There will always be ignorance, and ignorance leads to fear. (Bill Gates) Change is tough, people don't like it, but it is necessary. Take two aspirins and call me in the morning. (Christopher Bond) Projecting Change We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. (Bill Gates)