So often, focus on the development of East Somerville is placed squarely on Assembly Row and its potential to eventually develop into a high-end, mixed use urban village. However, three subtler neighborhood initiatives are underway right now.
The Broadway Streetscape and New Harris Park projects will both break ground this summer. East Somerville Main Streets (ESMS) also recently unveiled a new branding campaign for the East Broadway Business District, with the intention of marketing the area as a “vibrant, walkable, one-of-a-kind center for commerce and leisure activities,” according to the campaign’s vision statement.
“So many things are happening at once,” said ESMS director Carrie Dancy. “It’s kind of a tipping point for East Broadway.”
All three projects aim, in part, to rid East Somerville of its reputation as a spot for crime and poverty. The reputation developed in the 1970s and 1980s, and has lingered long past its expiration, Dancy said.
2. East Broadway’s New Brand
Brand attributes:
•Safe Logo courtesy of East Somerville Main Streets
•Independent •Tagline emphasizes East
•Diverse Broadway as a corridor,
•Traditional distinct from
•One-of-a-kind Somerville’s square-based
•Honest business districts.
•Authentic •New brand meant to
•Affordable encourage visitors and
•Evolving residents to adopt new
•Real People perspective of East
•Vibrant Broadyway area.
•Walkable
Provided by East Somerville Main Streets
3. East Broadway Streetscape
Today.
Goals: •Construction
•Extend sidewalks on either side will stem from
•Add bike lanes. Autumn Street
•Add benches, trees, sidewalks. intersection to
•One lane of traffic on either side. the Boston border.
•Open places, including plaza in
front of library.
“We’re giving the sidewalks back to the people.”
-- Carrie Dancy, ESMS director
5. New Harris
Park
Today.
•The new location is a
block-and-a-half closer
to Broadway, at 15-25
Cross St. East.
•The original Harris
Park is located
adjacent I93 and Rt.
28, limited to a
basketball court and
a playground.
6. New Harris Park
Future.
Park features:
•Movie screening
•Slides
•Swings
•Toddler play area
•Bocce court
•Community seating
•Tree canopy
•Bike racks
•Community garden
•Safety surfacing
•Water play structure
Illustration courtesy of the City of Somerville.
