(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.)

By Jack Connolly

US2, the master developer selected by the city to redevelop Union Sq., presented the office lab building for the corner of Prospect St. and Somerville Ave. in close proximity to the Green Line Extension station nearby.

Approximately four dozen citizens were in attendance, with a large contingent from the Union Square area, including elected members of the Union Square Neighborhood Council (USNC).

Approximately 16 people commented officially on the record to the Planning Board with several members of the USNC offering testimony.

There were no major objections requesting denial to the overall design, though several individuals commented on more open space, and better pedestrian access to the Green Line T station.

The major concern echoed by many testifying, especially the USNC members, was that master developer US2 construct an underground parking garage for the building, a much recurring theme during on-going negotiations between US2 and the USNC for a Community Benefits Agreement.

Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Stephen Mackey urged the Planning Board to move to get the design and site plan approval done, as there is much to lose.

Here is what is at risk: $175,000 sq. ft. lab office building that will produce $1M in new taxes, hundreds of construction jobs, 500 new permanent jobs from entry level to CEO, expanded sidewalks and public accessible open space, and a building that would be the true “cornerstone” between the heart of Union Sq. (the Plaza) and the Green Line Station.

In addition, the US2 plan complies with the goals that community members planned for in the original SomerVision city master plan to expand the commercial tax base, add to the number of jobs available for Somerville residents, and to make the redeveloped Union Sq. a place for all.

Planning Board members themselves were concerned with the underground parking possibility, asked US2 for cost estimates for building an underground garage and to continue to engage the neighbors and the USNC regarding open space and accessibility and access issues.

If you want to chime in and offer some thoughts, you still have time to submit a written opinion regarding the proposed project; Send your email to planning@somervillema.gov or mail your written communication to: City of Somerville Planning Board, City Hall, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143 no later than April 19.

Representatives from US2 may have left the meeting not thrilled with some of the comments from members of the public and the Planning Board, but they should remain optimistic, as this project needs to be done and the MBTA is certainly pushing the city to get to work on the buildout, so as not to delay their ongoing, and on time, plans for the Green Line station. Kudos to US2, who have been here in Somerville for almost 5 years, and have likely invested close to $10M to make redevelopment happen in Union Sq. They certainly should not be denied this opportunity to commence with the redevelopment of Union Sq.

The problem facing the community is going to be what the community benefits package will consist of, since then Union Square Neighborhood Council and the master developer US2, have been meeting for over eight months and there is no clear timeline for these negotiations to conclude.

The clock is silently ticking in the background, and if the Union Square Neighborhood Council can’t finalize a community benefits package, the job will fall to the mayor and the City Council, who have always been the final “bottom line” approval makers in this deal.

At this point, a key transfer of land for the construction of this building referred to as the D.2 lot has yet to be completed, since the Somerville City Council must approve the transfer of that city land parcel to the developer US2 in order for construction to get underway. Will some City Council members try to hold the D.2 lot hostage to exact additional Community Benefits? Remember, this is an election year, with the mayor and City Council (formerly known as Board of Aldermen) all up for election.

Stay tuned!

Born, raised, and lifetime resident of Somerville. St. Clement High School graduate; BA (Cum Laude) and M. Ed from Boston College; Attended Tufts Univ. and Harvard Univ. JFK School of Government; Licensed Insurance Broker and award-winning Small Business Owner (WCC Insurance Agency Inc.) 19 College Ave. Davis Sq. Somerville MA since 1996. Ward Six Alderman eleven terms 1984-2005, Alderman At-Large; 1 special election and five terms 2007-2017, and the distinction of being the longest serving Alderman in Somerville History.