Further development and improvement of existing sidewalks, bike lanes, and storm drains are all part of the renovation plans recently implemented for the Union Square area. ~Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Ian Erlichman

In 2014, during his inaugural address, Mayor Curatone promised to make Somerville “the most bikeable, walkable and transit-accessible community in the nation.” A recently approved action for the renovation of Union square, will make good on the mayor’s promises by improving sidewalks, constructing bike lanes, and implementing environmentally conscious “Green infrastructure.”

Almost 1,500 feet of storm drain will be installed in Union Square, as part of a broader renovation campaign. The subterranean repairs will transform a 100-year old combined sewage line, carrying both runoff and waste, into a dedicated sewage line.

With solid waste taken care of, Union square’s run off will be stored and redirected by a new 800,000-gallon culvert, according to the project’s website.

Somerville Ave., Bow St., and Washington St. will all be effected and the project is estimated to take around three and half years to complete. However, the repairs will result in increased storm water capacity as well as renewed water and sewage lines, according to the same source.

The ongoing battle against the proliferation of the Black Swallow-Wort weed is also a matter of concern for the city. Residents are encouraged to take part in the Somerville Garden Club’s “Pod Patrol” effort. ~Photo courtesy of Somerville Garden Club

Above ground improvements include wider sidewalks, a new bike lane and green infrastructure. That essentially means more trees. Although, street and pipeline replacement will result in the removal of 37 trees, 40 trees will be preserved and 50 more will be planted after the renovation has finished.

Although trees can provide invaluable filtration for water runoff, not all wildlife is welcome in Somerville, according to Ward 5 Alderman Mark Neidergang. A weed called Black Swallow-Wort “threatens monarch butterflies and songbirds and displaces native plant communities vital to insects, birds and other urban wildlife,” he stated.

“It’s going to take over the plant life of the entire city unless people being to be vigilant about it,” Neidergang said.

The Somerville Garden Club is working to control this plant through a movement they call “Pod Patrol.” Because of this plant’s pervasiveness and resilience, Ward 6 Alderman Lance Davis urges Somerville citizens to “get a plastic bag and go pick the pods.”

The city is already moving to control this invasive species with a resolution to trim weeds along the railway fence along Chester Avenue. If reader want to join the fight against this damaging weed, check out somervillegardenclub.org and join the pod patrol.