(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Dear Mayor Curtatone and Mr. Rawson,

We, residents and supporters of Ball Square, anticipate a considerable increase in pedestrian and bicycle traffic when the new Green Line station opens. The requests below have arisen through discussions about street safety improvements needed in the area immediately around the new station. The area, which includes Broadway between Josephine Ave and Winchester St., Boston Ave. between Sphere Luxury Apartments and Highland Rd., and Rogers Avenue at its intersection with Boston Ave., provides a number of persistent challenges to be addressed. We propose the following improvements to balance pedestrian, bike and car uses in this area:

• Install a crosswalk to connect Kelly’s Diner to MBTA station, which will serve residents accessing the station from Rogers, Pearson, Prichard, and Boston Aves., Highland Rd. and anyone from the east side of Morrison Ave. The current crosswalk at Josephine constitutes a detour that encourages unsafe pedestrian crossings of Boston Ave and Broadway.
• Create a 20 m.p.h. “Safety Zone” on Broadway through Ball Square, from Powder House Circle to Cedar Street, with radar speed signs and flashing signs, similar to other squares.
• Install physical infrastructure throughout Ball Square so the streetscape reflects the desired 20 mph. limit. Infrastructure can include raised tables, flex posts, speed bumps, concrete planters and pedestrian refuge islands. Physical infrastructure should be implemented with bicycles in mind and should allow for the straightest path.
• Create better No Right on Red signage for vehicles and bicycles traveling eastbound on Broadway (in front of Kelly’s Diner) onto Rogers/Boston in order to protect the crosswalks.
• Prohibit all vehicle and bicycle left turns (i.e., even on green) from westbound Broadway onto Rogers/Boston at all times and/or during rush hour periods and high vehicular traffic times in order to preserve crosswalks safety.
• Expand the sidewalk and public space area at Rogers Avenue and Boston Avenue, and Boston Ave at the bridge, to create public plazas, consistent with 2017 MIT design study: https://dusp.mit.edu/cdd/project/neighborhood-plan-2017-ball-square-and-magoun-square (page 37). This will provide benefits of narrowing an oversized roadway, slowing speed and U-turns, provide traffic calming, and spaces to advance placemaking and safety.
• Add raised tables on westbound Broadway at Winchester Street/ Medford to bring speed down as vehicles crest the bridge. This should be done in coordination with Medford to address concerns about the Winchester Street/ Albion Street / Broadway intersection.
• Last, we request a community meeting before March 21 (the beginning of spring) with OSPCD’s Mobility Department staff to discuss these points. We believe these changes will significantly reduce risks to pedestrians and cyclists in this area. Thank you for your attention.

Signed by 88 residents, businesses and supporters of Ball Square: Letter contributors

Rana McLaughlin of 96 Rogers Ave and entrepreneur, Toonsie Toys
Colin Macdonald of 78 Rogers Ave.
Jessica Macdonald of 78 Rogers Ave.
Jennifer Dorsen of 83 Josephine Avenue and representative, GLX Working Group- Ball Square
Jeff Shwom of 111 Boston Ave. and main organizer of the Ball Square District Association (BSDA)
Stephanie Galaitsi of 44 Morrison Ave. and organizer of Powderhouse Traffic Safety
Jim Silva of 115 Yale Street (S. Medford) and organizer of South Medford Residents Together
Alex Feldman of 80 Rogers Ave. and local artist, Alex the Jester
Mark Niedergang, Ward 5 City Councilor